UK Power Networks (Operations) Limited

UK Power Networks Progress monitoring report

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Name of lead inspector: Mike Finn, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Address:

237 Southwark Bridge Road London SE1 6NP Monitoring visit: UK Power Networks, 9–10 March 2021

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Context and focus of visit

UK Power Networks received a new provider monitoring visit in February 2019. At that time, inspectors made progress judgements under three themes.

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Context and focus of visit

This monitoring visit focused on the extent to which leaders and those responsible for governance are taking effective action to provide education and training in the current circumstances. It was undertaken as outlined in the operational note on visits carried out from January 2021 and with reference to the further education and skills handbook.

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Context and focus of visit

These 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

Following changes to government guidance and the imposition of COVID-19 (coronavirus) lockdown restrictions, inspectors carried out this monitoring activity remotely. As a result, the range of evidence available to inspectors was narrower than would be the case during an on-site inspection. Therefore, this report provides a more limited level of assurance.

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Context and focus of visit

The impact of COVID-19 has been taken into account in the findings and progress judgement below. Inspectors did not evaluate leaders’ response to COVID-19 during the spring and summer of 2020, when the provider was not open to all learners and there were no national expectations regarding remote education.

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Significant progress

Leaders ensure that the curriculum apprentices follow goes well beyond the requirements of an apprenticeship programme. This supports leaders to achieve their ambition to develop highly competent network engineers and craftspeople with multiple skills. Apprentices attend extra courses and webinars in areas outside of their specialism, such as leadership development. They also benefit considerably from opportunities to take part in outdoor pursuits and achieve the Duke of Edinburgh gold award. Apprentices are proud to work for UK Power Networks because they recognise the positive impact that the apprenticeship is having on their career and their character. Monitoring visit: UK Power Networks, 9–10 March 2021 At the start of the pandemic, leaders took proactive steps to minimise disruption to apprentices’ learning. They quickly moved to online teaching, webinars and socially distanced workplace learning. As a result, apprentices continued to make good

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Significant progress

progress. Nearly all continue to achieve their apprenticeship in good time.

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Significant progress

Since the previous monitoring visit, leaders took swift and very effective action to support apprentices to achieve higher grades. For example, apprentices present their work to experts in the business who check for gaps in their knowledge and understanding. They are then coached to develop their specialist knowledge further. Consequently, the proportion of apprentices who achieve a distinction grade has improved considerably.

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Significant progress

Leaders have high expectations for apprentices to produce good standards of work. For example, level 4 network engineer assessors focus on both technical theory and the accuracy of apprentices’ writing. They provide very useful feedback to apprentices. As a result, apprentices understand how to improve their written English and produce work of a good standard.

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Significant progress

Apprentices develop substantial new knowledge and skills. For example, level 4 network engineer apprentices understand industry regulations and legislation. In addition, they develop their leadership and management skills very well. Consequently, line managers highly value the contribution that apprentices make at work and the transformative effect the training has on apprentices’ confidence.

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Significant progress

Leaders and assessors help apprentices develop very well the behaviours that the company and industry require. They assess apprentices on their timekeeping, appearance, attitude, and initiative. These are over and above those required by the apprenticeship standard. As a result, apprentices develop a wide range of positive behaviours for work.

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Significant progress

Leaders work very well with line managers to shape the curriculum so that it meets the needs of individual apprentices. As a result, line managers provide very effective individual support in the workplace. This helps apprentices put what they learn in the classroom into practice at work. For example, apprentices attend a course at the training centre on fault energising equipment. Once back in the workplace, they practice using this equipment under supervision.

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Significant progress

Support for apprentices is exceptionally effective. Staff maintain regular contact with apprentices. They arrange welfare support from specialists. For example, apprentices can attend sessions with cognitive behaviour therapists. They are also able to access company welfare support services. Instructors provide apprentices with effective support to improve their physical health, such as through health coaching to help apprentices improve their diet and fitness. Monitoring visit: UK Power Networks, 9–10 March 2021 Apprentices receive valuable impartial careers guidance through recruitment fairs and monthly team briefings. Consequently, they know about the pathways available to them at the end of their apprenticeship. The majority of apprentices remain employed with UK Power Networks once they complete their training.

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Significant progress

Leaders provide effective additional learning support for apprentices who need extra help. They identify those who require dyslexia support early on in their training. They provide transmitter microphone pens for apprentices with a hearing impairment, so they can hear more clearly in noisy working environments.

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Significant progress

Apprentices feel safe, and understand how to keep themselves and others safe. There is a strong culture of safe working. This is the highest priority within the business due to the risks associated with electrical power operations.

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Significant progress

For a very small number of apprentices who receive support to develop their English functional skills, tutors do not highlight spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors in their work. As a result, apprentices cannot see where they go wrong or how to improve their skills.

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Significant progress

Leaders and those responsible for governance should take further action to:

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Significant progress

 ensure that assessors highlight the spelling, punctuation and grammar errors that a small number of apprentices make in their written work, so they understand how to put these right. Monitoring visit: UK Power Networks, 9–10 March 2021 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 Monitoring visit: UK Power Networks, 9–10 March 2021

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