Southern Water has become one of the first companies to gain the new matrix standard for its commitment to learning.

The matrix is a national quality mark for businesses and organisations that give information and advice about learning and work.

Operations director Martin Baggs was presented with the award by Ivan Lewis, the minister for adult learning and skills.

Southern Water has four open learning facilities at its sites in Worthing, Falmer, Chatham and Otterbourne, which are used by employees, their families and organisations working with community groups.

Chris Tate, Southern Water's learning manager, said: "Gaining the matrix standard is a landmark for the company and demonstrates its commitment to providing continual learning for employees and the communities."

There were about 600 learning programmes available at the centres, covering everything from IT and management skills to non-vocational training, such as foreign language tuition.

He said: "The centres are not being used all of the time so we use the spare capacity to encourage other people to learn too.

"We've had about 1,000 people using the centres in this way and, over and above that, a large number of outside organisations.

"We've had Guides using our facilities to get their IT badges and young offenders learning new skills.

"We had a good response from some disaffected youngsters from a Brighton school. A teacher said it was the first time he'd seen them interested in something."

Talking about the matrix standard, Mr Lewis said:

"A key priority for the Government is to improve the nation's skills and develop a workforce for the 21st Century.

"If we are to have the high productivity, high skill and high wage economy we all want, we need a workforce with an informed demand for learning and skills.

"Gaining the matrix standard is an important milestone for organisations."