RMF

RMF Construction Training Academy Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Ian Higgins, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 11 and 12 January 2022

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Unit 2 Oughton Road Birmingham B12 0DF Monitoring visit: RMF Construction Training Academy Ltd, 11 and 12 January 2022

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Context and focus of visit

From March 2019, Ofsted undertook to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of adult learning provision which began to be funded from August 2017 or after by the Education and Skills Funding Agency. 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

RMF Construction Training Academy Ltd (RMF) is an independent learning provider based in Birmingham. It is part of the wider RMF group, which is an employment support provider specialising in the construction and rail sectors. It operates from two premises – a head office and a separate construction site. RMF was awarded a direct contract in May 2021 by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to deliver lot 7 provision in construction. At the time of the visit, 13 learners were in training. To date, 268 learners have completed their training. Learners work towards qualifications in health and safety, as well as completing assessments in the construction skills certificate scheme (CSCS) and the construction plant competence scheme (CPCS). RMF also offers a range of commercial training within construction – including within prisons – which was out of scope for this visit. RMF is also a subcontractor on behalf of another lead provider. These learners were also out of

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Reasonable progress

Directors and senior leaders have a detailed understanding of the recruitment and skills needs of the construction sector across the West Midlands. They collaborate effectively with key regional partners, such as the WMCA and local Jobcentre Plus. Senior leaders have developed a responsive curriculum that closely meets local and regional skills needs, supporting key projects such as infrastructure linked to HS2 and the Commonwealth Games.

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Reasonable progress

Directors and senior leaders have a clear focus for their provision. They target and support those learners who may be harder to engage, including ex-offenders. Senior leaders work very well with employers to support them in achieving their own recruitment key performance measures related to the recruitment of ex-offenders. Monitoring visit: RMF Construction Training Academy Ltd, 11 and 12 January 2022 Leaders ensure that learners have good opportunities to engage in learning and benefit from effective support. Employers value greatly being able to recruit learners with the appropriate knowledge, skills and behaviours. They speak highly of the professional standards and work readiness of learners.

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Reasonable progress

Directors and senior leaders have successfully used their previous experience as a training subcontractor to ensure that they plan appropriately to meet the requirements of their new directly funded contract with WMCA. They have recruited additional staff resource. Staff have extensive experience within the construction sector, and a minority of staff have teaching qualifications.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders review their business improvement plan regularly. They make good use of it to hold managers and staff to account for their progress in improving the quality of the provision. However, self-evaluation and quality assurance do not adequately evaluate all aspects of the provision. For example, in a minority of examples, internal quality assurance records focus too much on what trainers do and not on the impact that training and/or assessment have on learners or on their progress. Leaders have yet to take the required steps to benefit from effective governance to support them and hold them to account.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders have developed a curriculum which prepares learners well to move into employment. Learners benefit from working towards a range of industry- relevant qualifications and ‘tickets’, including a CSCS card. As part of ‘phase 2’ training, the majority of learners work towards specialist qualifications, including those for driving a roller and dumper. As a result, the majority of learners move into employment, once they complete their programme. The majority of learners achieve their qualifications.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders and trainers have sequenced the curriculum in a logical way. Trainers link theory and practicals well. Trainers provide frequent opportunities for learners to develop their practical skills, which grow in complexity over time. For example, learners undertake initial practical activities, such as rolling part of a course, before moving to the full course as their skills develop. The vast majority of learners are developing significant new knowledge, skills and behaviours.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers identify what learners already know and can do when they start their course. In the majority of cases, trainers use this information well to plan learning. However, in a few cases where learners have prior experience of working within the construction sector – or have held a CSCS card previously, which has now expired – these learners are not routinely challenged to develop their skills. Monitoring visit: RMF Construction Training Academy Ltd, 11 and 12 January 2022 Trainers use assessment skilfully to check what learners now remember and can do. Trainers use the information from assessment to revisit key learning concepts. For example, learners benefit from mock CSCS card assessments. As a result, learners develop new long-term knowledge and understanding.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and trainers provide high levels of support for learners. For example, learners benefit from access to a monthly job club. They also benefit from access to an online portal called ‘fresh start’. This provides beneficial support in CV writing and interview skills. Leaders support learners who have additional learning needs well. These learners make the same, or better, progress compared to their peers.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders develop learners’ understanding of safe working practices very well. For example, learners understand how to isolate heavy machinery – when not in use – to ensure site safety. The vast majority of learners obtain their CSCS card as a result of their training, reflecting their understanding of safe working practices.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders have in place two safeguarding leads covering both training premises. They have completed relevant training to carry out such roles. All staff have recently completed safeguarding training.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have in place a clear safeguarding policy and process for the reporting of any safeguarding concerns. Where any safeguarding disclosures are made, those responsible for safeguarding follow these up appropriately. They direct learners to access support with their well-being.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders have established relationships with key local safeguarding agencies, including the Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board. However, they recognise the need to develop relationships with additional safeguarding agencies.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders have taken appropriate steps to ensure the safer recruitment of staff. However, they have not yet identified a clear set of expectations for how they do this. They acknowledge that they need to revisit their approach to safer recruitment. Monitoring visit: RMF Construction Training Academy Ltd, 11 and 12 January 2022 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

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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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