Fit Training International Limited

Fit Training International Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Jonny Wright Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Suite 77T Business and Innovation Centre Wearfield Sunderland SR5 2TA Monitoring visit: Fit Training International Limited, 24–25 July 2019

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Context and focus of visit

From October 2018, Ofsted undertook to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of apprenticeship training provision which began to be funded from April 2017 or after by ESFA and/or the apprenticeship levy. This monitoring visit was undertaken as part of those arrangements and as outlined in the Further education and skills inspection handbook, especially the sections entitled ‘Providers newly directly funded to deliver apprenticeship training provision’ and ‘Monitoring visits’. The focus of these visits is on the three themes set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

Fit Training International Limited (Fit) began to deliver apprenticeships in September 2017. At the time of the monitoring visit, 18 apprentices were on standards-based apprenticeships. Of these, nine were on a level 3 personal trainer programme, six were on a level 3 teaching assistant programme and three were on a level 2 community activator coach programme. Six apprentices were on a level 2 active leisure learning apprenticeship framework. Fit works with apprentices employed in local authority health and fitness services in Northumberland and primary schools in Warrington.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have a strong and effective purpose and rationale for the delivery of apprenticeships. They use their extensive industry experience and work well with employers to deliver apprenticeships for teaching assistants specialising in physical education (PE) and for fitness trainers working in local authority health and fitness centres.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders recruit staff who are highly qualified and experienced to carry out training. They provide trainers with specialised training to improve their technical skills, such as skills to deliver high-level courses in sports nutrition. Trainers use their skills effectively to equip apprentices with additional knowledge that they can apply in their job roles.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders ensure that managers recruit apprentices with integrity. Managers carry out accurate checks to establish the eligibility of potential apprentices and to ensure that they are able to develop substantial new skills during the apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have a clear oversight of the progress that apprentices are making. They monitor apprentices’ progress closely and receive helpful information Monitoring visit: Fit Training International Limited, 24–25 July 2019 from trainers. When apprentices fall behind, managers and trainers take swift action to help them to catch up.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices who require functional skills qualifications in English and mathematics receive support from a highly qualified tutor who visits them in the workplace. As a result, apprentices make good progress towards achieving qualifications.

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Reasonable progress

Managers and trainers carefully plan high-quality on- and off-the-job training with employers to ensure that apprentices receive their entitlement and develop their skills quickly. Apprentices benefit from additional training to widen their skills and knowledge. For example, many apprentices gain a certificate in personal fitness training or in PE for teaching assistants.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers do not have a thorough enough overview of the quality of apprenticeships. They have not accurately identified the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. Therefore, they have not put in place precise actions to ensure that required improvements are made quickly.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers provide apprentices with good support, guidance and advice. Apprentices develop the new skills, knowledge and behaviours that they require to be successful employees. They can articulate what they have learned and how they apply their knowledge, skills and understanding in practice. Apprentices make expected or better progress over time.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers review apprentices’ progress frequently and effectively. They use a broad range of accurate assessment methods. Employers recognise and value that apprentices are making good and incremental progress towards achieving their technical certificates, as well as completing their apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices make a positive contribution to their employers’ business. They benefit from attending additional training that enhances their career opportunities. As a result, they are given additional responsibility and autonomy appropriate to their position and often receive a pay rise.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers plan a well-sequenced and structured curriculum that takes account of the skills, knowledge and behaviours that apprentices need to acquire. Apprentices benefit from protected time to complete their off-the-job training. They record this appropriately in their files and during reviews with trainers.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices produce a good standard of written work. They take time to present their work well and often receive positive feedback from trainers. Too often, Monitoring visit: Fit Training International Limited, 24–25 July 2019 however, trainers do not provide developmental feedback to challenge apprentices to make improvements and deepen their understanding.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices who have achieved the required qualifications in English and mathematics do not receive support from trainers to improve their skills further. Trainers advise apprentices that they are exempt from English and mathematics and do not make clear reference to where apprentices can apply their skills in the workplace.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers do not provide apprentices with sufficient information about end-point assessment (EPA). Apprentices know that they have to go through an EPA but do not have enough knowledge about the activities they will complete and what they need to do to achieve high grades.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders, managers and trainers promote a positive culture of safeguarding with apprentices and employers. They provide helpful information to reinforce apprentices’ understanding. As a result, apprentices feel safe and know how to report any concerns. However, they do not have a good enough understanding of the risks in the places where they live, including from county lines and child sexual exploitation.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers ensure that up-to-date policies and procedures are in place covering safeguarding and to meet the requirements of the ‘Prevent’ duty.

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Reasonable progress

The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) is appropriately qualified and experienced. They liaise well with relevant safeguarding links and receive frequent updates and advice. The DSL cascades relevant safeguarding information effectively to trainers, who reinforce this with apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers carry out appropriate background checks on staff to ensure that they are suitable for their job roles. They provide staff with helpful general safeguarding training and more specialised training when required. Monitoring visit: Fit Training International Limited, 24–25 July 2019 the guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. Learner View Learner View is a website where learners can tell Ofsted what they think about their college or provider. They can also see what other learners think about them too. To find out more go to www.learnerview.ofsted.gov.uk.

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Reasonable progress

Employer View Employer View is a website where employers can tell Ofsted what they think about their employees’ college or provider. They can also see what other employers think about them too. To find out more go to www.employerview.ofsted.gov.uk.

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Reasonable progress

regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence, write to

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Reasonable progress

the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk.

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Reasonable progress

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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