Firebrand Training Limited

Firebrand Training Ltd Interim visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Penny Fawcus, HMI

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Type of provider:

Address: Firebrand Training Centre Wyboston Lakes Great North Road Wyboston Bedford MK44 3AL Interim visit: Firebrand Training Ltd, 14–15 October 2020

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Context and focus of visit

On 17 March 2020, all routine inspections were suspended due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. As part of our phased return to routine inspections, we are carrying out ‘ interim visits ’ to further education and skills providers. Interim visits are to help learners, parents, employers and government understand how providers are meeting the needs of learners and apprentices in this period, including learners with high needs and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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Context and focus of visit

We intend to return to routine inspection in January 2021 but will keep the exact timing under review.

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Context and focus of visit

The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below and the findings are based on discussions with leaders, managers, staff and apprentices.

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Information about the provider

Firebrand Training Limited (Firebrand) operates from a centre at Wyboston Lakes, near St Neots. It provides residential, online and blended training to apprentices as part of their programme. Apprentices work in locations across the country. Firebrand does not use subcontractors.

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Information about the provider

At the time of the interim visit, Firebrand had 612 digital apprentices. All were studying standards-based apprenticeships. 215 apprentices were studying at level 3 and 397 at level 4. Apprenticeship programmes include software, networking, cyber, data and business analysis.

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Employers and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders state that the pandemic has had no impact on the range of programmes they provide. They intend to remain focused on delivering digital courses. The main impact of the pandemic has been on how they now provide training. During the national lockdown all theory training moved online. Before, this had been predominantly taught in the classroom as a part of the residential training. Much of the skills development was already provided online, alongside workplace coaching and mentoring.

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Employers and adapts to changed circumstances?

Staff say they increased their contact with employers and apprentices during lockdown. They told us they use feedback from employers and apprentices to support and improve the changes they have made. They believe they have improved their agility and resilience as an organisation. Interim visit: Firebrand Training Ltd, 14–15 October 2020 Employers are continuing to recruit. Apprentices report that training staff are more accessible. Leaders describe how staff work with employers to ensure that apprentices have the technology to work from home. Leaders have also provided apprentices with equipment, where necessary.

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Employers and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders have enhanced attendance tracking processes for monitoring online learning. Learning mentors join lessons to take a register of attendance. They describe how they are quick to contact any absent apprentices to secure their attendance, where possible. Managers report positive attendance and highly motivated apprentices, despite the national lockdown.

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Employers and adapts to changed circumstances?

Managers state that the move from classroom to online learning has given them more time to develop staff skills in remote teaching. They have been able to observe more classes because travel was no longer an issue. Instructors have received more training in the use of the technology for remote learning approaches.

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Employers and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders state that Firebrand intend to continue to provide a hybrid model for theory training. Apprentices and their employers can elect to attend face-to-face or continue to join remote online learning. Firebrand believes that this approach offers greater flexibility and benefits to apprentices.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Leaders believe that their current methods of identifying gaps in apprentices’ knowledge are robust. Employers describe how Firebrand staff have worked with them to find creative solutions for apprentices working from home. For example, apprentices use Firebrand’s virtual labs. They can then experience the full range of workplace duties and skills they need to complete their learning successfully.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Leaders have established a ‘camera on’ policy to monitor apprentices’ participation in the lesson. They state that this also identifies any welfare concerns or difficult home situations affecting apprentices’ learning.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Instructors say the reliability and quality of the home-based technology for some apprentices can be a challenge. They spend time guiding apprentices on the use of their equipment. They have developed apprentices’ skills to participate in learning online. Apprentices now raise their hand and use the chat tool to ask questions. Instructors say that maintaining concentration for a few apprentices is a challenge. Instructors monitor reduced learner engagement during taught sessions through the use of technology. Reduced interaction with learning results in a follow-up discussion with the apprentice.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Staff and apprentices agree that the barriers to remote learning are often around the social dynamic in the home, such as children in the learning space and sharing Interim visit: Firebrand Training Ltd, 14–15 October 2020 technology. Apprentices have been able to access the training centre if the home environment is not conducive to learning.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Managers and staff have taken care to enable apprentices with SEND to access online learning. This care includes one-to-one sessions to build apprentices’ personal confidence to join group sessions.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Learning mentors tell us they have continued to provide careers advice and guidance for apprentices. At reviews, they discuss with them the skills needed to gain promotion in the work place. Apprentices are aware of what qualifications and professional development training they need to progress. Apprentices complete online learning in topics such as self-awareness, resilience and growth. Staff say they encourage apprentices to use social media business platforms as a matter of course.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Leaders state that support for apprentices with safeguarding issues has not changed. Staff describe teaching apprentices how to stay safe online at the start of their course and as part of their ongoing review discussion. Leaders have added pandemic-related topics to their welfare programme.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Apprentices say staff focus on their mental health and well-being more because of the pandemic. Learning mentors told us they have regular contact with work mentors to resolve issues or concerns. They often act as an advocate for less-experienced apprentices.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Staff say they have regular Covid-19 and safeguarding updates. Managers make regular checks on their welfare. They support staff to be flexible when working at home, to accommodate pressures such as childcare.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Apprentices know how to report any safeguarding concerns. Interim visit: Firebrand Training Ltd, 14–15 October 2020 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for apprentices 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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potential risks, including from online sources?

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potential risks, including from online sources?

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potential risks, including from online sources?

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potential risks, including from online sources?

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

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