Together Training Ltd

Together Training Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Linnia Khemdoudi, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Watford Campus Hempstead Road Watford WD17 3EZ Monitoring visit: Together Training Ltd, 12-13 September 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

West Herts College and Oaklands College co-own Together Training Ltd. It provides apprenticeships for levy-paying employers, receiving a direct contract for providing apprenticeship programmes in May 2017. Together Training Ltd specialises in leadership and management, professional and construction services qualifications. Almost all apprentices are on standards-based qualifications. Together Training Ltd subcontracts construction-based provision to Oaklands College. At the time of the monitoring visit it had 138 apprentices, 15 studying at level 2, 62 at level 3 and 61 at level 4 and above.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders have developed an effective curriculum strategy. They work collaboratively with the county council and other local employer-led organisations. Leaders identify and provide additional courses to help meet local skills shortages, such as the new standard for career development professionals.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders ensure that they meet all the requirements of the apprenticeship programmes. They work closely with employers to understand the varying needs of their businesses, before enrolling apprentices. As a result, employers and apprentices commit fully to their responsibilities.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that courses meet apprentices’ needs fully. The enrolment process is thorough. Apprentices undertake a detailed assessment to identify their current skills and knowledge against performance criteria and professional behaviours. As a result, apprentices develop relevant new skills and knowledge.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders appropriately sequence the curriculum content of apprenticeships’ programmes. Learning coaches share detailed plans with apprentices at induction and through frequent reviews. Consequently, apprentices know what they will be Monitoring visit: Together Training Ltd, 12-13 September 2019 learning in advance of scheduled face-to-face workshops. This enables them to prepare appropriately.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have employed well-qualified learning coaches. They hold teaching qualifications and high-level relevant vocational qualifications with appropriate work- related experience. Apprentices value the experience and knowledge they gain as a result of their apprenticeship, which help them to understand the wider sector in which they work.

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Reasonable progress

Managers ensure that apprentices understand fully the requirements of the final examinations. Learning coaches discuss the requirements with apprentices frequently throughout their programme. As a result, apprentices clearly understand what the examinations include and when they will be taking them.

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Reasonable progress

Managers frequently review and monitor the progress of apprentices. Learning coaches intervene quickly should an apprentice fall behind their planned schedule. Most apprentices are on track to complete within their set time frame. However, improvement actions for apprentices often do not help them develop strategies to improve identified weaknesses in the longer term. For example, these actions do not help them improve their inability to manage their time effectively, or to meet work- related deadlines.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices develop the vocational skills they need to be successful in their chosen profession. Apprentices have a positive impact on their employers’ business. They use their new knowledge and skills to deal with difficult situations more effectively and to behave professionally in meetings. A small number of higher-level apprentices use their new project management skills to write funding bids to expand the scope of their employers’ work.

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Reasonable progress

Learning coaches provide well-structured face-to-face workshops. The tasks and activities they set challenge apprentices appropriately. Apprentices rightly find these useful and the work challenging. Apprentices appreciate that they can contact coaches at any time. The feedback they receive from staff is useful and instructive.

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Reasonable progress

Learning coaches closely monitor apprentices’ off-the-job activities to ensure timely completion. In the workplace, most apprentices complete activities and training which relate directly to their apprenticeship programme. However, apprentices are unable to articulate in enough detail what they learn from these activities and how they apply them to their own job role. Monitoring visit: Together Training Ltd, 12-13 September 2019 Learning coaches provide apprentices with good individual tuition to complete functional skills English and mathematics qualifications. Of those who have already taken exams, all have been successful. Learning coaches embed English skills into monthly workshops effectively. As a result, apprentices who do not study towards qualifications continue to develop their skills. However, opportunities for apprentices to improve their mathematical skills are limited.

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Reasonable progress

Learning coaches provide useful feedback on apprentices’ work. In most cases, they correctly identify spelling and grammatical errors, celebrate achievement and prompt further research. However, learning coaches fail to identify when apprentices copy the work of others and submit it as their own work.

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Significant progress

Managers have created a safe environment for apprentices. Managers adhere to safer recruitment practices, including identity checks and disclosure and barring checks of all staff. They keep records securely.

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Significant progress

Apprentices complete a range of informative safeguarding training activities during their induction period. They understand the potential threats posed to them by those who hold extremist views. Staff attend appropriate update training annually. Learning coaches ensure that they update apprentices’ knowledge through discussions at frequent reviews and in workshops.

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Significant progress

Apprentices feel safe and understand how to report any concerns should they arise. They understand how the safeguarding duty applies to them while at work, as well in their personal lives.

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Significant progress

A well-trained lead safeguarding officer frequently shares relevant local information regarding personal safety with staff and apprentices. Consequently, staff and apprentices understand the potential local dangers that may affect them, and how to avoid them to stay safe. Monitoring visit: Together Training Ltd, 12-13 September 2019 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.

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Significant progress

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Significant progress

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Significant progress

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Significant progress

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

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