MTC (Manufacturing Technology Centre)

The MTC – Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Victor Reid, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Unit 5, Ansty Park Pilot Way Coventry CV7 9JU Monitoring visit: The MTC - Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre Limited, 8–9 October 2019 2

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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 ‘Monitoring visits’ and ‘Monitoring visits to providers that are newly directly publicly funded’. The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

The MTC - Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre Limited (AMTC) is based in Coventry. Established in 2014, it is part of a national network of high-value manufacturing (HMV) centres created across the United Kingdom to support the manufacturing industry. The AMTC’s focus is on the development and delivery of advanced HMV training across a range of industrial sectors, including automotive, aerospace, construction/civil engineering, and rail. At the time of the monitoring visit, 162 apprentices were in learning. All were working towards a level 3 standards- based apprenticeship for engineering technicians. In September 2019, the company opened a second training centre located in Oxfordshire.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders and managers have developed a clear vision and well-designed strategy for the training centre that is well understood and implemented across the organisation. Partnership working is highly effective. Leaders make good use of, and work well with, a range of key stakeholders. These include employers, higher education institutions and local enterprise partnerships. They use these links well to inform the apprenticeship curriculum in advanced manufacturing.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers ensure that the apprenticeship programme is planned well and successfully meets the principles, requirements and expectations of the qualification. Employers benefit from the technical and vocational skills gained by apprentices and the positive attitudes and behaviours they adopt at work and towards their learning.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that apprentices benefit from experienced and knowledgeable trainers, who are subject experts. Trainers benefit from carefully planned and well- Monitoring visit: The MTC - Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre Limited, 8–9 October 2019 3 coordinated staff development and professional updating, which keep their industry practice current and relevant.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have successfully instilled a culture of continuous individual and team improvement. Teamwork among the staff team is strong. Trainers provide each other with good support and share good practice. As a result, staff morale is very high. Leaders and managers manage the performance of staff effectively. They provide constructive feedback that helps trainers to recognise their strengths and where improvements are needed. Leaders take swift and decisive action in the few cases where trainers’ performance does not improve following intervention.

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Reasonable progress

Governance is effective. The management board meets regularly. The board sets high expectations for, and has a good focus on, the quality of the provision. The board monitors carefully the management and overall performance of the apprenticeship programme. However, the reports they receive, though frequent, do not currently support the tracking of apprentices’ progress against all aspects of the apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers use information about what apprentices already know and can do to plan challenging learning and skills development. They use their extensive and detailed occupational knowledge and industry experience very well to make learning meaningful for apprentices. They have a clear focus on linking learning and the world of work.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers support apprentices to develop and strengthen their mathematical skills through learning that is linked well to workplace activities. This supports apprentices to gain the skills and knowledge required to move into specialist areas such as intelligent automation, metrology, digital measurement and computer numerical control.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices develop good levels of vocational skills through well-planned technical training. These add value to their job role and benefit employers. They quickly grow in confidence and technical proficiency. They become more self-assured in how to set up correctly, and operate safely, specialist manufacturing and engineering machinery.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices benefit from routine access to cutting-edge manufacturing resources that enable them to develop and deepen their subject knowledge, and to practise and hone their technical skills. Workshops are spacious, exceptionally well equipped and provide an impressive learning environment which motivates apprentices. Monitoring visit: The MTC - Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre Limited, 8–9 October 2019 4 Apprentices enjoy their training. As a result, attendance at the training centre and at the workplace is exemplary and few learners leave the programme early.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices use the manufacturing skills they are developing confidently and know how to apply these successfully in the workplace. For example, they are able to work at a commercial pace. Employers benefit greatly from these skills and the enhanced roles that many apprentices are quickly able to perform when at work.

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Reasonable progress

A small minority of apprentices, including those for whom English is not their first language, do not receive sufficient structured support to develop their confidence and proficiency in writing concise and detailed technical reports.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders, managers and staff at all levels ensure that the health, safety, welfare and safeguarding of apprentices have a high priority. Leaders ensure that a culture of zero-tolerance towards bullying and harassment pervades the training centre. A team of suitably trained and experienced designated safeguarding leads deal promptly with any disclosures and ensure that apprentices receive appropriate and timely support. Where necessary, safeguarding referrals are made speedily to relevant external agencies.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear focus on protecting apprentices from the risk of harm. Staff are appropriately vetted prior to the start of their employment. All staff complete annual safeguarding and ‘Prevent’ duty training. They maintain vigilance over any changes in apprentices’ behaviour that may indicate that they are in need of support and intervention. Apprentices’ use of the internet is closely monitored and their understanding of how to be safe online is frequently reinforced. Monitoring visit: The MTC - Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre Limited, 8–9 October 2019 5 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

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Reasonable progress

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.

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Reasonable progress

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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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