First for Apprenticeships Limited

First for Apprenticeships Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Hayley Lomas, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Tanfield Lea Business Centre Tanfield Lea Industrial Estate North Stanley County Durham DH9 9DB Monitoring visit: First for Apprenticeships Limited, 17–18 June 2021

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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 ‘Monitoring visits’ and ‘Monitoring visits to providers that are newly directly publicly funded’. The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

First for Apprenticeships Limited received its first directly funded contract to train apprentices in June 2019. At the time of the visit, there were 95 apprentices on level 2 light goods vehicle (LGV) standards.

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Context and focus of visit

The impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) has been taken into account in the findings and progress judgements below.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have designed an effective programme to meet the increasing demand for LGV drivers in the logistics and traffic management industry. They work closely with employers to upskill the existing workforce by providing opportunities for employees to become lorry drivers through the apprenticeship. This enables apprentices to develop their careers and take on additional responsibility at work, which often comes with an increased salary.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have taken appropriate action to ensure that apprentices who fall behind due to the cancellation of driving tests caused by COVID-19 restrictions are able to complete their tests as soon as is practically possible. Managers have organised dates for all these tests but are experiencing longer-than-usual waiting lists. Apprentices are receiving the necessary support to prepare for external assessment.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that the programme they deliver meets the principles and requirements of apprenticeship programmes. They actively support employers to ensure that apprentices benefit from off-the-job training planned around busy work schedules. Monitoring visit: First for Apprenticeships Limited, 17–18 June 2021 Leaders work with employers effectively to plan a programme that provides apprentices with knowledge of the industry alongside the development of driving skills. Employers benefit from apprentices’ ability to take on additional responsibility at work. Many apprentices have the opportunity to acquire an impact protection vehicle licence, which improves their career potential.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and tutors ensure that end-point assessment arrangements are in place and that apprentices are fully aware of the requirements. Tutors provide frequent opportunities for apprentices to practise and prepare for assessment, so that apprentices know what to expect. Apprentices who have completed their end-point assessment achieved at the first attempt.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders do not have arrangements in place for external scrutiny or challenge. This means that their understanding of weaknesses in the provision is limited and that they do not have sufficiently rigorous policies and practices in place to drive improvement quickly. A few of the internal review processes to inform developments are in their infancy and have not yet resulted in sufficient impact.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders effectively plan and organise the vocational training to replicate a likely day in the workplace. Tutors start by teaching apprentices the knowledge that they need to prepare their vehicles safely and plan a delivery. Later in the course, when apprentices have gained more experience at work, tutors develop apprentices’ driving skills. Tutors plan more complex tasks, such as driving efficiently to reduce carbon emissions and fuel usage, once learners have gained their LGV licence.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that teaching staff are suitably qualified and experienced to teach the LGV programme. Tutors use their knowledge successfully to support apprentices in succeeding on their programme by using real examples from the industry. Apprentices value being taught by industry experts who motivate them to learn.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors frequently recap on previous learning in practical sessions to test apprentices’ understanding. They use questioning well to confirm apprentices’ knowledge of core concepts, such as vehicle checks and the importance of route planning. Apprentices can successfully plan their routes by identifying low bridges and weight restrictions in order to ensure that they drive safely.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors provide helpful advice and guidance to apprentices on how to develop their understanding further and improve their skills. Apprentices value the discussions that they have with their tutors to help them improve their understanding. However, tutors do not ensure that apprentices respond fully to feedback to improve their written work. Monitoring visit: First for Apprenticeships Limited, 17–18 June 2021 Leaders do not plan the delivery of the functional skills curriculum well enough to help apprentices develop their English and mathematical skills. They do not identify the specific aspects of English and mathematics that apprentices need to improve to prepare for assessment. However, tutors successfully integrate the development of mathematical and communication skills in practical lessons. Apprentices successfully develop their skills in using calculations in the workplace.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors ensure that apprentices are clear about how to keep themselves safe while working in hazardous environments. For example, apprentices know how to work safely near speeding traffic and how to ensure that they are safe when staying overnight in their lorries. They are aware of the risks of vehicles being highjacked and of theft from vehicles, and take the necessary precautions to minimise these risks.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that the designated safeguarding lead has the appropriate training and knowledge to be effective in the role. They make sure that staff and apprentices complete suitable safeguarding training. Apprentices have a basic awareness of how safeguarding applies to them at work and in everyday life.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have ensured that basic safeguarding and ‘Prevent’ duty policies are in place to keep apprentices safe. Apprentices know how to keep themselves safe and to whom they should report concerns. Leaders have an effective process in place to deal with safeguarding concerns, but this system is untested as there have not been any referrals to date. Monitoring visit: First for Apprenticeships Limited, 17–18 June 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

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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

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