Mineral Products Qualifications Council

Mineral Products Qualifications Council Monitoring visit report

p.1

Name of lead inspector: Helen Whelan, Her Majesty's Inspector

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address:

MP House 4a Meadowbank Way Nottingham NG16 3SB Monitoring visit: Mineral Products Qualification Council, 25–26 August 2021

p.1

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.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC) was established in 1983 to respond to the quarrying industry's training needs. They are a not-for-profit organisation whose members are derived from the quarrying, mineral products, mining, construction, and related manufacturing sectors. MPQC began to offer apprenticeships in 2020. At the time of the monitoring visit, MPQC had fewer than five apprenticeships on the level 2 mineral processing mobile and static plant operator standard.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

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

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have a clear vision to meet the requirements of the specialist quarrying industry. They offer apprenticeships to ensure that new employees have the best start in the sector.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Apprentices are recruited with integrity. They are either new to their roles or have recently changed roles and need to develop new knowledge and skills. Learning mentors assess potential apprentices' existing skills and, where apprentices already possess much of the knowledge and many of the skills that make up the apprenticeship, they are not allowed onto the course. However, learning mentors do not make use of the information about apprentices' existing skills when planning their training. Monitoring visit: Mineral Products Qualification Council, 25–26 August 2021 Apprentices, all of whom are in the early stages of their studies, understand that their studies culminate in a final assessment. They are unclear about what the final assessment involves or what they need to do to achieve high grades.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Learning mentors are highly experienced in the quarrying industry. They also have teaching and assessor qualifications to support them to provide effective training. Managers have supported staff well to develop their skills so they can teach online. Specialist equipment in the form of simulators and virtual reality headsets allow apprentices to experience working in a variety of quarry contexts.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers routinely gather apprentices' feedback on the course and review the effectiveness of curriculum planning. However, they need to put in place more rigorous arrangements to evaluate and improve the quality of training and assessment that apprentices receive.

p.3

Reasonable progress

A well-established and experienced board offers an appropriate level of support and challenge for senior leaders. They understand some of the main strengths and weaknesses of the provision and take a keen interest in how apprentices are progressing.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Managers and learning mentors have developed a detailed and suitable programme of training. This includes face-to-face and online lessons. They have developed plans and resources that enable learning mentors to provide well-structured and clear training. This helps apprentices to develop a good range of new skills and knowledge to prepare them for their roles in the quarrying industry.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Learning mentors use questioning, multiple-choice tests, and written activities to ensure that apprentices understand topics. However, they do not provide enough opportunities throughout the course to revisit and strengthen apprentices' recall of earlier topics.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Training staff do not work closely enough with apprentices' line managers to ensure that they coordinate apprentices' on-the-job and off-the-job training. Most apprentices report that their line managers do not participate in progress reviews and show little awareness of what they are studying at any given point in their course. As a result, their on-the-job training is ad hoc.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Managers have found it difficult to provide suitable support for apprentices to develop their English and mathematical skills. They have recently appointed a specialist tutor for these subjects but it is too early to judge any impact. Monitoring visit: Mineral Products Qualification Council, 25–26 August 2021 Staff monitor apprentices' progress adequately. Learning mentors monitor apprentices' attendance at training sessions and the extent to which they have completed set work. They frequently review apprentices' progress with them, but these reviews do not focus sufficiently on what apprentices have learned or the steps they should take to improve their skills and knowledge.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Apprentices work in a dangerous environment and receive a substantial amount of training on health and safety. This covers a wide range of topics including risk assessment, manual handling, safe working practices, and behavioural safety. Consequently, apprentices develop a good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe at work. Apprentices feel safe.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Managers have appointed a suitable designated safeguarding lead (DSL). The DSL has received appropriate training to perform this role. There are appropriate policies and procedures in place to help managers deal with safeguarding referrals, should they arise. Managers recruit staff safely and complete appropriate pre-employment checks.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Learning mentors introduce apprentices to a wider range of safeguarding themes, such as staying safe online and the dangers of radicalisation. However, most are unable to recall this training in any detail. Learning mentors do not discuss with apprentices' the themes related to British values. Monitoring visit: Mineral Products Qualification Council, 25–26 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

p.4

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 .

p.5

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 .

p.5

Reasonable progress

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Reasonable progress

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

p.5