CS Training UK Limited

CS Training UK Limited 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: 7 Peaks Court Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE29 6XA Monitoring visit: CS Training UK Limited, 20-21 February 2020

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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 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

CS Training UK Limited is a privately-owned training provider. It provides management apprenticeships to levy-paying employers. Thirty apprentices are studying towards standards-based management qualifications at level 3 and level 5. CS Training UK Limited is based in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. All apprentices work for large local employers.

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Insufficient progress

Leaders did not initially organise the apprenticeship programme effectively. For example, leaders did not plan for apprentices to develop their English and mathematics skills. Consequently, apprentices do not extend their skills in these subjects. They do not achieve their functional skills qualifications. To date, no apprentices have completed their apprenticeship.

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Insufficient progress

Apprentices take too long to compete their qualification. Employers do not always allow apprentices enough time to practise and refine their skills. Too often, employers put the demands of the workplace before apprentices’ study time. Employers often cancel trainers’ visits to review apprentices’ learning. Leaders have been slow to recognise that employers are not prioritising apprentices’ learning.

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Insufficient progress

Leaders have implemented a programme that develops apprentices’ work skills effectively. For example, apprentices improve their team building, time management and recruitment skills. Employers recognise and value apprentices’ development. As a result, a high number of apprentices gain promotion with their employers.

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Insufficient progress

Leaders have successfully engaged the services of an independent mentor. With their help, leaders accurately identify areas for development. As a result, they have Monitoring visit: CS Training UK Limited, 20-21 February 2020 acted to secure improvements for current apprentices. For example, leaders now set clear deadlines for assignment completion.

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Insufficient progress

Apprentices are not yet ready for their final assessments. A few nearing the end of their programme have started to prepare, most have not. Too many apprentices take a break in learning due to the lack of support from their line managers. As a result, too few apprentices will achieve their apprenticeship on time.

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Insufficient progress

Apprentices working at level 3 have a rudimentary understanding of management concepts. Apprentices reflect on their own skills and apply management theories to their job roles. However, the quality of their work only reflects the basic requirements of the apprenticeship standard.

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Insufficient progress

Apprentices develop new and occupationally specific knowledge, skills and behaviours. For example, they improve their understanding and use of effective communication strategies. They learn how to motivate their staff without financial rewards. Apprentices also learn about the impact of unconscious bias when making decisions. As a result, they are more effective managers.

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Insufficient progress

Assessors and trainers are professionally qualified and experienced. They are experts in the subject of leadership and management theory and its practical application. They hold relevant teaching qualifications and use their knowledge of learning to improve the quality of the programme. Trainers have amended the order of the units they teach to improve apprentices’ progress. For example, apprentices now develop project management skills throughout the course, rather than just towards the end.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have taken all reasonable steps to ensure that apprentices are safe. Leaders undertake Disclosure and Barring Service checks on all staff. Apprentices have a good understanding of the key aspects of safeguarding. They know who to report their concerns to should they have any about their own safety or that of others. They can explain their understanding of online safety. They know how to protect themselves from cyber bullying.

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Reasonable progress

At the start of their programme, apprentices are taught about the potential dangers of radicalisation and extremism. Most do not recognise the relevance of this to their workplace or daily lives. Monitoring visit: CS Training UK Limited, 20-21 February 2020 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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Reasonable progress

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