Pertemps Employment Alliance (PEA) has been awarded the highest possible grade by Government inspectors - putting it in the top 5% of its kind in the UK.

The Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) - which is responsible for inspecting Government-funded learning facilities - judged PEA’s overall leadership and management of Employment Zone as “outstanding,” awarding the top Grade 1.

PEA has been running Employment Zone - which aims to reduce unemployment in Middlesborough, Redcar and Cleveland - for almost three years and has placed more than 2,500 people into work.

The inspection lasted a month and incorporated nearly 200 interviews with clients, employers, staff, partnering agencies and subcontractors.

David Ward, regional manager for PEA, says: “We are delighted to receive the recognition from an independent body about the outstanding work we do with our clients. The clients are at the heart of everything we do and Pertemps staff work with a passion to unearth the spark of brilliance in everyone.”