Elite Training European Limited

Elite Training European Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Sambit Sen, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: 3 Parkers Place Ipswich IP5 3UX Monitoring visit: Elite Training European Limited, 3 and 4 August 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

Elite Training European Limited (Elite) is an independent learning provider providing management training across England. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were 21 apprentices in learning. Elite currently offers the level 5 operations departmental manager apprenticeship.

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Context and focus of visit

During the national pandemic, leaders and managers changed learning from a blended model of face-to-face and distance learning, to face-to-face learning remotely.

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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

Too many apprentices on the first apprenticeship cohort did not understand the commitment required to complete the apprenticeship. Therefore, too many apprentices are not going to complete their apprenticeship. However, leaders have significantly improved their approach to recruitment. Apprentices more recently recruited to the apprenticeship are fully committed to completing their studies.

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Reasonable progress

Functional skills training is ineffective. Apprentices learn independently, developing their English and mathematics skills using the online resources provided. No apprentices who require functional skills qualifications as part of their programme have achieved their qualification.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders collaborate effectively with employers to ensure that the apprenticeship content meets their business needs. Leaders help employers with their succession planning. Through the training, leaders help apprentices to develop the skills and behaviours needed to become effective managers. Employers value the training, which helps their businesses to recruit and retain high-quality managers. Monitoring visit: Elite Training European Limited, 3 and 4 August 2021 Leaders recruit tutors with good subject knowledge and relevant industry experience. Leaders regularly check the quality of learning through lesson visits and feedback from apprentices and employers. This allows apprentices to learn the latest management techniques and apply them in their workplace effectively.

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Reasonable progress

Governance arrangements are effective. Governors have good knowledge of the strengths and areas of improvement in the quality of training that apprentices receive. Governors get timely feedback about the skills and knowledge that apprentices develop, including improved teamwork and communication skills.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors do not use assessment effectively to check apprentices’ understanding. Tutors do not provide useful developmental feedback to apprentices. The workbooks apprentices complete during training sessions are not viewed or assessed by tutors.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices’ line managers have not been sufficiently involved in the apprenticeship programme. Staff hold infrequent meetings with apprentices and their line managers to review progress. Too few managers provide feedback on apprentices’ performance at work. Tutors have recognised this and are taking effective steps to rectify this. Line managers of more recently recruited apprentices take an active role in supporting apprentices with their training. They intervene and take appropriate steps when apprentices fall behind.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors design the content of the apprenticeship effectively, to enable apprentices to gain useful management skills and knowledge. They consider the needs of the business in which apprentices work, to help with the order of the topics. Tutors teach change management at the beginning of the apprenticeship as they recognise the fast-moving nature of the information technology sector. Tutors ensure that apprentices build on their varying levels of underpinning knowledge to gain knowledge and understanding of more complex concepts and techniques.

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Reasonable progress

Most apprentices gain valuable new skills and knowledge because of their studies. Apprentices with extensive management experience recognise how they lack the breadth of understanding of management theories. They value how they improve their abilities significantly during their training. Apprentices better understand their own strengths and weaknesses as managers. They use this knowledge to manage their teams and contribute to the overall success of the business proactively and effectively.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices benefit from the guidance tutors give them about their career choices. Tutors help apprentices gain internal and external promotions through effective coaching and mentoring. Monitoring visit: Elite Training European Limited, 3 and 4 August 2021

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices have a secure understanding of safeguarding and its importance. They know how to report concerns and feel confident in doing so. Apprentices know how to safeguard client data by having sufficient knowledge about data privacy and data protection. They further take proactive actions to inform and educate their teams about what they have learned on the course.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and tutors take effective steps and provide appropriate help to apprentices who report welfare and well-being concerns. They work with employers to help reduce workplace stress. This helps apprentices to manage their workload effectively. Monitoring visit: Elite Training European Limited, 3 and 4 August 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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Reasonable progress

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 .

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Reasonable progress

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 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

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

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