AWC Training Ltd

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection dates: 11 to 15 November 2021

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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

AWC Training Ltd (AWC) is a small independent learning provider based in St Austell, Cornwall. It started to offer levy-funded apprenticeships in September 2017. Around two thirds of its apprentices are based in Cornwall, working in retail and hospitality venues. About a third are working in the Wirral, in a food manufacturing business. All the apprentices are over the age of 18.

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Information about this provider

At the time of the inspection, 18 apprentices were enrolled on programmes at levels 2 and 3. Of these, eight were on retail apprenticeships, four at level 2 and four at level 3 retail team leader retail. Seven apprentices were on a level 3 team leader apprenticeship. Three apprentices were working in hospitality and catering, two at level 2 on a hospitality team member apprenticeship, and one at level 3 on a senior production chef apprenticeship. 11 to 15 November 2021

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

Apprentices are very positive about their training and how they use it in their roles at work. AWC staff provide them with high levels of support which helps them to make progress and achieve. Apprentices are highly motivated to succeed. They demonstrate resilience and a ‘can do’ attitude when dealing with tasks at work. They take on extra shifts and responsibilities and use their own initiative to make improvements within their workplaces. All these are qualities which their employers value highly.

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

Apprentices develop and apply new skills, knowledge and behaviours. They show respect for each other and their customers. They are resourceful and adaptable and support team members effectively during busy periods. Apprentices working in hospitality are confident about playing their part in the workplace. For example, depending on business needs, they are able to work in different roles, such as the bar, reception and food preparation. Retail apprentices apply their knowledge of customer care and product knowledge well at work. For example, they know how to place products in eye-catching locations to increase sales.

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

Apprentices become increasingly aware of sustainability and the need to reduce the carbon footprint of the retail and hospitality sectors and apply this in their work. Apprentices have learned about provenance and can promote products, such as locally produced food and drink, effectively to customers.

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

They understand and apply health and safety practices well at work, and they know how to report any concerns about their safety and welfare.

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better?

Leaders have good working relationships with apprentices’ employers and have a thorough understanding of employers’ business needs. Leaders have used this knowledge well to develop high-quality, tailored training matched to their job role.

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better?

Leaders have made improvements since the previous monitoring visit. For example, AWC’s quality assurance procedures and governance arrangements have been strengthened following support from external consultants.

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better?

AWC assessors are highly experienced and knowledgeable. They use their wealth of experiences very well to help apprentices to relate theory to practice in hospitality, retail and food manufacture. Assessors teach the curriculum in a logical order. They ensure that key concepts are covered early in the apprenticeship. For example, the retail programmes begin with a focus on customers’ needs. This includes how to serve customers and develop a rapport with them. Later on in their programmes apprentices will learn about how to turn a business vision into reality, and about financial matters. 11 to 15 November 2021

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Apprentices develop their knowledge progressively through well-designed and useful one-to-one teaching. This helps apprentices understand and remember key information and how to apply it at work. Assessors explain new concepts carefully to their apprentices and check their understanding and recall effectively through discussion and written tasks. Apprentices’ complete further assignments that deepen their knowledge and understanding. Assessors provide good paper-based and online learning materials that reinforce the key messages they have taught their apprentices. Employers coach apprentices effectively in how best to apply their new skills and behaviours with customers in the workplace.

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Assessors identify apprentices’ starting points in English, mathematics, and digital skills well. They help apprentices develop their skills in these subjects throughout their programmes. As a result, apprentices in retail and hospitality become more confident in the use of electronic tills and learn how to cash up at the end of the day. Those for whom English is not their first language have improved their written and spoken English skills. This enables them to communicate more effectively at work and in their personal lives.

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Apprentices benefit from a curriculum that extends beyond the requirements of the apprenticeship standard. Employers engage learners in charitable fundraising events to extend their understanding of how their business supports the local communities. For example, retail apprentices have taken part in a charity firework display sponsored by a local store. Leaders provide additional, relevant qualifications that help apprentices do their current jobs better and improve their future career prospects. For example, hospitality apprentices study courses in food hygiene, first aid, lifeguarding and cellarage for licensed premises.

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Staff assess apprentices fairly and consistently. Their feedback is constructive and helps apprentices improve their work and develop their written English skills. However, assessors do not encourage apprentices to develop the knowledge that could help them achieve higher grades in their apprenticeship.

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Most apprentices have a good understanding of their career opportunities within their employer setting, and many have gained promotion since starting their apprenticeship. However, apprentices are unsure of the wider career opportunities available to them beyond working for their current employer.

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Assessors do not find out what vocational skills apprentices have at the beginning of their apprenticeships. As a result, they do not provide a small number of apprentices with enough challenge. These apprentices end up studying topics with which they are already familiar in the first few months of their programme.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Apprentices feel safe and know who to contact at work if they have a concern. Leaders have implemented appropriate policies and procedures that staff use 11 to 15 November 2021

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effectively in order to safeguard apprentices. All staff are trained in safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty. The designated safeguarding lead is experienced and has received appropriate training to carry out the role.

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Leaders complete the necessary checks when appointing new staff.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Leaders should ensure that apprentices’ vocational skills are assessed at the start of their programme to inform the planning of learning.  Assessors should ensure that the feedback they give to apprentices always helps them achieve the highest grades they can.  Leaders should ensure that they give apprentices unbiased careers guidance so that they are aware of a career option. 11 to 15 November 2021

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Provider details

Address 40 Fore Street St. Austell Cornwall PL25 5ER

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Provider details

Chief executive and principal Mr Allan Clare

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider.

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected 11 to 15 November 2021

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the chief executive, 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 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

Roger Pilgrim, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector Martin Bennett Ofsted Inspector Karen Morris Ofsted Inspector Teresa Gardner Ofsted Inspector Gavin Murray Ofsted Inspector Louise Rowley Ofsted Inspector Judith Mobbs Ofsted Inspector 11 to 15 November 2021

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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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