Cogent Skills Training Limited

Cogent Skills Training Limited Interim visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Alison Humphreys HMI

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Address:

Unit 5 Mandarin Court Centre Park Warrington WA1 1GG Interim visit: Cogent Skills Training Limited, 27–28 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 in this period, including those with high needs and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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 learners.

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Information about the provider

Cogent Skills Training (CST) is a specialist training provider for the science-based sector, which includes the chemical, life sciences, pharmaceutical and polymer industries. CST is based in Warrington, but delivers programmes across the country. There are currently around 45 apprentices on standards-based apprenticeships from level 2 to level 5, specialising in life and industrial sciences, business management, and engineering and manufacturing. The majority of apprentices are enrolled on science and laboratory technician apprenticeships. CST works with two subcontractors who support the delivery of the apprenticeship standards in the specialist area of polymer and teach the higher education qualifications.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

During COVID-19 restrictions, leaders have continued to follow their existing models of delivery that use a mix of online learning and individual support. Leaders prioritised the teaching of knowledge over practical assessments, which has minimised disruption to learning. Employers state that they have not identified gaps in apprentices’ knowledge and praise the support their apprentices have received from CST tutors and assessors.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders and managers work closely with employers to provide support when changes are made within the workplace. For example, variations in management structures due to furlough have resulted in a change in workplace mentors for a few apprentices. CST has developed a mentor guide detailing roles and responsibilities for new workplace mentors. Leaders deliver workshops and coaching sessions to new managers and employers on how best to support apprentices in the workplace and Interim visit: Cogent Skills Training Limited, 27–28 October 2020 ensure that they make progress. A few apprentices have become mentors for their peers. Leaders say that this is helping to build confidence for those apprentices who are struggling.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders increased communication with staff, apprentices and employers. They say that they have identified swiftly those apprentices who required further support. Training and delivery plans have been adapted and the programme completion dates extended for those apprentices who were furloughed. Tutors and assessors continue to hold individual meetings with both apprentices and employers to monitor apprentices’ progress and well-being.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders feel that their biggest challenge is changing the way final examinations for awarding organisations are carried out. Leaders are developing ways to ensure that apprentices can complete their final assessments. These online assessments are recorded and submitted to the awarding organisation, along with witness statements from the employer, apprentice and tutor. Leaders explained how this process has been shared with other providers as good practice.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Tutors and assessors experienced challenges with the varying standards of technology and online security within employers’ organisations. Owing to sensitivities within the science sector, tutors and assessors have found solutions to sharing documents and using cameras for video meetings. Other challenges that tutors and assessors have overcome include apprentices changing shift patterns, gaining additional responsibilities or not having suitable learning spaces at home.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Although apprentices’ attendance and participation remain high, a few fell behind during COVID-19 restrictions and changes in their work circumstances. For example, some were furloughed or had to cover for absent colleagues, and a few gained promotion. Tutors and assessors have seen an increase in apprentices’ behavioural resilience and emotional intelligence. For example, apprentices on leadership and management apprenticeships have dealt with issues relating to conflict and integrity in the workplace. Tutors amended the programme and delivered a change management unit to help apprentices gain relevant knowledge and skills to be able to deal with these issues.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Tutors and assessors continue to use a variety of assessments to test apprentices’ knowledge and check competencies. They have delivered individual sessions in the evenings and at weekends to accommodate apprentices’ circumstances. Staff overcame the challenges of assessing practical competencies. For example, they used animations created using online laboratory software to demonstrate practical experiments such as titration. Leaders provided apprentices with specialist equipment, for example blood pressure monitors, at home so that they could Interim visit: Cogent Skills Training Limited, 27–28 October 2020 complete physiology units. Tutors record sessions to help apprentices access learning at times convenient to them. A few employers produced videos of apprentices completing activities in the workplace that can now be used for assessment purposes.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

Apprentices with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive individual support that meets their specific needs. For example, tutors provide additional learning sessions and carry out face-to-face meetings away from the workplace to reduce apprentices’ anxieties.

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the reasonable needs of learners?

CST provides careers information, advice and guidance to apprentices prior to the start of their programmes. This continues throughout their learning, particularly for those who wish to progress to higher education.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Leaders have prioritised the well-being of staff and apprentices. They receive individual support meetings and have access to the employee assistance programme, which provides 24-hour specialist support. Apprentices have access to the ‘hub of hope’, which provides support in their local areas on a variety of topics, such as housing, childcare and food banks.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Leaders recently attended webinars delivered by local agencies to expand apprentices’ knowledge of online safety, such as in relation to online grooming, replica social media sites and how to identify phishing emails. Tutors completed neurodiversity training to help them understand some of the additional challenges apprentices are experiencing, for example stress-related issues.

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potential risks, including from online sources?

Apprentices say that they feel safe when they are learning, both through the provider and at work. They feel able to approach their tutors and assessors if they have a concern. Through individual meetings with their apprentices, staff identified that apprentices were feeling isolated. Tutors adapted sessions and introduced new activities on socialisation at the start of the apprenticeship programme. Interim visit: Cogent Skills Training Limited, 27–28 October 2020 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

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potential risks, including from online sources?

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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