Technical Professionals Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of Technical Professionals Limited

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Apprenticeships Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Information about this provider

Technical Professionals Limited (TPL) is a national independent learning provider based in Stockport, Cheshire. In May 2017, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) awarded TPL an apprenticeship contract.

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Information about this provider

At the time of inspection, there were 211 apprentices on a range of standards-based digital apprenticeships in networking, cyber security and coding. The largest areas of provision have 37 apprentices on level 4 associate project manager, 28 apprentices on level 4 business analyst, 24 apprentices on level 3 data technician and 24 apprentices on level 3 infrastructure technician. There are 28 apprentices aged 16 to 18. The provider does not subcontract any provision.

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Information about this provider

Technical training is delivered online by trainers, and mentors provide both remote and face-to-face support to apprentices. 18–21 October 2021

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices display positive attitudes to their learning. They enjoy their courses and feel part of a community. Apprentices are determined to succeed. They know that their employers value their skills. Apprentices, including those who have additional learning needs, appreciate the support they receive from their trainers and mentors.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices develop substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours as a result of their apprenticeships. Infrastructure technician apprentices learn about server administration fundamentals. As a result, they can identify and fix complex server errors. Business analyst apprentices skilfully use prioritisation techniques to discuss and agree the order of tasks with their customers. Cyber security apprentices develop their understanding of ethical hacking. This helps them to prevent cyber- attacks.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices improve their confidence as a result of their apprenticeship. For example, infrastructure technician apprentices confidently manage requests for confidential information. In meetings, associate project manager apprentices confidently discuss risk registers with senior leaders.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices feel safe. They know who to report any concerns to. Apprentices know the importance of recognising and reporting changes in others’ behaviour. A few apprentices understand how risks posed from radicalisation and extremism relate to them at work.

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better?

Leaders and managers offer a range of digital apprenticeships which meet local, regional and national skills priorities. They ensure that they meet the principles and requirements of an apprenticeship, such as ensuring that apprentices receive sufficient off-the-job training.

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better?

Leaders have developed an ambitious curriculum that incrementally builds apprentices’ knowledge, skills and behaviours. For example, data analyst apprentices learn about the basic concepts of databases before moving on to more complex tasks such as managing data projects. This prepares apprentices well for a career in the digital sector.

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better?

Trainers are experienced practitioners in their field. Most trainers improve their teaching and subject knowledge. They ensure they have up-to-date knowledge of the sector through membership of professional bodies, webinars and podcasts. However, business analyst trainers do not update their knowledge of the sector regularly enough.

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better?

Trainers skilfully use a range of methods to identify gaps in apprentices’ knowledge. For example, apprentices complete assignments, quizzes and take part in role play 18–21 October 2021 and group discussions. If needed, trainers provide extra sessions to help apprentices improve their subject knowledge.

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better?

Trainers extend apprentices’ learning beyond the requirements of the standard. For example, data analyst apprentices receive additional training to help them learn more-complex programming languages. This meets employers’ needs.

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better?

Leaders routinely develop most apprentices’ English and mathematical skills. Associate project management apprentices confidently talk in meetings and write professional business reports. Business analyst apprentices accurately calculate discounted cash flow.

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better?

Most apprentices aspire to achieve promotion or go on to higher learning. They routinely discuss this with trainers and mentors. However, apprentices are unaware of the wider job opportunities available to them.

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better?

In a few cases, mentors do not routinely plan apprentices’ training with their employers. This means that line managers do not always know what they need to do to help apprentices to develop their new skills at work.

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better?

A small minority of apprentices have not achieved their apprenticeship on time. Leaders have appropriate plans in place to help these apprentices to catch up and complete their programmes.

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better?

The provider is led and managed effectively. Staff are proud to work for TPL. Since their previous monitoring visit in March 2019, senior leaders have strengthened their governance arrangements. They have appointed an external governor with the appropriate experience in education. Governors provide the necessary challenge to senior leaders to help them evaluate and improve the quality of education that apprentices receive.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and managers promote a supportive culture of safeguarding and protection within their organisation. They implement an effective set of safeguarding policies and procedures to keep their apprentices safe. Designated safeguarding leads are appropriately trained and experienced for their roles. They use links to external agencies including the regional ‘Prevent’ coordinator and local authority safeguarding boards to maintain up-to-date knowledge of any localised dangers of radicalisation and extremism.

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Safeguarding

Staff benefit from annual safeguarding and ‘Prevent’ duty training. They know how to keep apprentices safe and report any concerns they may have. 18–21 October 2021

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Leaders and managers should ensure that mentors routinely plan training with employers to allow all apprentices to practise and develop their skills at work.  Leaders and managers should ensure that their careers guidance helps apprentices to understand the full range of career opportunities available to them.  Leaders and managers should ensure that the apprentices who have fallen behind in their learning rapidly complete their apprenticeships so that they can move on to their next stages. 18–21 October 2021

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Provider details

Address The Colony HQ, Altrincham Road Wilmslow SK9 4LY

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Provider details

Principal/CEO Martin Burr / Philip Pattison

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Provider details

Provider type Independent Learning Provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider details

Main subcontractors None 18–21 October 2021

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the Operating Director, as nominee. Inspectors took account of the provider’s most recent self-assessment report and development plans, and the previous inspection report. The inspection was carried out using the further education and skills inspection handbook and took into account all relevant provision at the provider. Inspectors collected a wide range of evidence to inform judgements, including visiting learning sessions, scrutinising learners’ work, seeking the views of learners, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider’s documentation and records.

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Inspection team

Kim Bleasdale, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector Suzanne Horner Her Majesty’s Inspector Alex Lang Her Majesty’s Inspector Alison Humphreys Her Majesty’s Inspector 18–21 October 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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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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