WMC Training Ltd

WMC Training UK Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Kate Hill, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

The Business Centre 12 Cathedral Road Cardiff CF11 9LJ Monitoring visit: WMC Training UK Limited, 13–14 August 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 the Education and Skills Funding Agency (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 themes set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

WMC Training UK Ltd was set up in 2012 as a training company. Since May 2017, WMC has become a training provider for levy-paid apprenticeship training. At the time of the monitoring visit, 20 apprentices were studying on frameworks and standards-based programmes in four specialist areas: leadership and management, business administration, early years education and operations management. Half of the learners are studying the level 5 operations management standards-based programme and are employed by the national health service (NHS). The remainder are all studying on frameworks at levels 2, 3 and 5.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have a clear strategy to develop apprenticeships specialising in early years education and operational management. This meets employers’ needs and national skills shortages. Leaders and managers, with employers, are developing the knowledge and skills of their apprentices well. As a result, apprentices make a positive contribution to their workplaces.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have created a well-structured training programme that meets the requirements and principles of an apprenticeship. They make sure that apprentices and their line managers understand the content of the programme before they start. Apprentices are selected carefully, with integrity, and their skills, knowledge and experience are assessed and considered before they begin the programme. As a result, most apprentices are making good progress and are on track to complete on time.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers carefully monitor the progress apprentices are making and act if they fall behind. Managers make sure that apprentices are given the required time off work to complete their studies. Monitoring visit: WMC Training UK Limited, 13–14 August 2019 Leaders and managers make sure that apprentices have high-quality learning resources to support their training programme. Assessors are experts in their subject and complete extensive staff development to make sure they remain current in their vocational areas.

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Reasonable progress

Managers work closely with employers so that they are aware of the progress apprentices are making. This is achieved through effective communication with assessors, copies of reviews and frequent one-to-one meetings. As a result, employers are able to support apprentices to develop new knowledge, skills and behaviours at work.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers do not place enough emphasis on apprentices developing their English, mathematics and digital skills beyond the qualification requirements of the apprenticeship. Consequently, apprentices are not developing these skills, which they need for work.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have developed and invested in high-quality training materials to support the delivery of the off-the-job training. The level 5 apprentices employed by the NHS benefit from very good training centre facilities and specialist staff to support their learning.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices receive well-planned off-the-job training. They benefit from completing additional qualifications to support their training programme and work, for example dementia awareness, first aid, mental health awareness, handling data in care and nutrition and hydration. Assessors are well qualified, and they use their areas of expertise to support apprentices during their training. They meet with them frequently to review their progress. Assessors prepare apprentices for their endpoint assessment throughout their programmes so that they are aware of what they will need to do.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices’ written work is appropriate to their level of study. They apply their new knowledge and skills to their jobs and can give examples of new responsibilities they have been given. They benefit from useful feedback on how to improve their work.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices have a good knowledge and understanding of British values and equality and diversity. They recognise the relevance and importance of good patient care and provide the respect and dignity that patients deserve.

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Reasonable progress

Progress reviews require improvement. Workplace supervisors and line managers do not attend or contribute to target setting. Assessors do not set detailed development targets for apprentices linked to their work. Targets set place too much emphasis on Monitoring visit: WMC Training UK Limited, 13–14 August 2019 apprentices completing tasks, workbooks and units. Assessors do not focus sufficiently on the development and improvement of apprentices’ knowledge, skills and behaviours.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers place a high priority on safeguarding learners and, as a result, apprentices are safe and know to whom they should report concerns.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have appropriate policies and procedures in place. Managers have systems in place to record incidents, but there have been none to date. All staff are subject to pre-employment checks to ensure that they are suitable to work with apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Staff have received recent and appropriate training in safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty to make sure they know how to protect learners from harm, including radicalisation and extremist activities.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices have a broad understanding of the dangers of radicalisation and extremism. They recall their training on these matters. They receive information during their induction that is reinforced at workshops and reviews. Apprentices would benefit from further information on how the dangers of radicalisation and extremism might apply to their region and their work. Monitoring visit: WMC Training UK Limited, 13–14 August 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

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

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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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