Further Training Limited

Further Training Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Richard Deane, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

European Business Park Taylors Lane Oldbury West Midlands B69 2BN Monitoring visit: Further Training Limited, 28–29 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 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

In January 2018, Further Training began direct delivery of apprenticeships. At the time of the monitoring visit there were 172 apprentices in learning. Apprentices are employed in a range of large and smaller employers nationally. All apprentices follow standards-based apprenticeships in either level 5 operations department management, level 3 team leading, customer service at levels 2 and 3, or level 3 business administration.

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Reasonable

Leaders have developed strong regional links with the combined mayoral authority, local enterprise partnerships and a number of provider networks. Consequently, leaders have a very good understanding of regional skills needs. They have used this information purposefully to provide business and management-related qualifications to employers who do not offer this training.

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Reasonable

Leaders have planned programmes appropriately so that apprentices are prepared sufficiently to undertake their end-point assessment. However, they have not developed the curriculum well enough to make sure all apprentices can achieve their potential. The apprenticeship meets the requirements for on- and off-the-job training.

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Reasonable

Leaders ensure that apprentices have access to high-quality online learning and assessment resources to help them achieve their qualifications. They recruit trainers who have the requisite experience to deliver learning in the sectors in which they operate. However, leaders have been slow to provide trainers with the necessary professional development so that they can plan and sequence learning to ensure that all apprentices achieve the grades that they should. Monitoring visit: Further Training Limited, 28–29 August 2019 Leaders review carefully employers’ plans to recruit apprentices. They ensure that employers can provide high-quality on- and off-the-job training for apprentices at the appropriate level. Leaders also ensure that apprentices take an appropriate assessment of their previous skills and abilities, so they are able to develop significant new skills.

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Reasonable

Managers know the progress of most apprentices. They review routinely their progress towards achieving their qualification. However, in a few cases managers have been too slow to ensure that those apprentices who fall behind in their work receive the required support quickly enough.

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Reasonable

Leaders and managers have an appropriate quality audit process. They use external experts to review their systems robustly. They work well with the board of governors, who provide them with effective challenge. However, leaders and governors have been too slow to ensure that all apprentices make the progress that they should.

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Reasonable

Trainers help apprentices to develop the specific knowledge, skills, and behaviours to become better and more effective employees. For example, apprentices following management courses become more confident and effective at leading teams and delegating work.

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Reasonable

Trainers plan high-quality off- and on-the-job training to help apprentices achieve their qualifications. They use a range of workbooks and online resources well to help apprentices understand theoretical concepts such as management theory for high- performing teams. Most apprentices produce work of a good standard.

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Reasonable

Trainers do not use information about learners’ starting points routinely to plan work that helps apprentices achieve the grades of which they are capable. For example, they fail to identify strategies to help apprentices remember specific knowledge to help them achieve well in examinations and professional discussions.

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Reasonable

Most apprentices continue to develop their English and mathematical skills. Trainers give apprentices useful activities such as practising various methods of communication with customers and staff and using spreadsheets to monitor cashflow accurately. However, trainers do not use information from apprentices’ diagnostic tests well enough to plan tasks to develop their individual skills needs in these subjects.

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Reasonable

Trainers monitor closely their apprentices’ progress. Every six weeks, they review their progress towards the achievement of units and the skills needed for the qualification. Monitoring visit: Further Training Limited, 28–29 August 2019 Apprentices receive mostly positive feedback from trainers, identifying what they have achieved. However, trainers do not routinely identify what apprentices need to do to ensure that they produce work and develop the understanding to achieve the grades of which they are capable.

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Reasonable

Trainers provide useful additional face-to-face, email and telephone support to help apprentices who fall behind in their work. However, in a few cases trainers are too slow to provide the necessary support to help these apprentices improve quickly.

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Reasonable

Leaders ensure that there is a strong focus on safeguarding throughout the organisation. They share information on training, events and safeguarding updates with governors, staff and apprentices via a newsletter.

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Reasonable

Managers have updated safeguarding policies and practice to reflect recent updates from the Department for Education. Leaders have revised the information and guidance for apprentices and provide training for all frontline staff to help them identify emerging issues early.

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Reasonable

Leaders use safer recruitment strategies effectively to recruit staff. They have deployed and trained appropriately designated safeguarding officers. All officers have achieved the requisite training for their roles.

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Reasonable

Managers have an appropriate safeguarding and ‘Prevent’ duty action plan. They work well with the regional ‘Prevent’ officer. They share updates on topics such as ‘county lines’ and the emergence of far-right extremism. Trainers ensure that apprentices develop a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe online and of the potential threats posed from extremist groups. Monitoring visit: Further Training Limited, 28–29 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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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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