North Wales Training Ltd.

The Vocational Academy Essex Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Christine Leeding, Ofsted Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Unit 1 Second Floor Eldon Way Industrial Estate Hockley Essex SS5 4AD Monitoring visit: The Vocational Academy Essex Ltd, 2 and 3 February 2022

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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

The Vocational Training Academy Essex Ltd is an independent training provider with a head office and training centre in Southend-on-Sea, and training centres in Blackpool and Chorley. Most apprentices are based in workplaces within travelling distance of the relevant training centre. There are a variety of ways in which apprentices can study according to their needs and preferences, and those of their employer, such as on-site delivery, remote learning and attending classes.

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Context and focus of visit

At the time of the visit, there were 81 apprentices in learning. Most are on level 2 and level 3 standards-based apprenticeships. There are no apprentices in receipt of high-needs funding and the provider has no subcontractors.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear intent for their apprenticeships. They offer apprenticeships that build on the experience and expertise of leaders and staff, and that address local skills shortages.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders are ambitious for their apprentices. They recruit specialist tutors who are well qualified and experienced. Tutors provide high-quality training and encourage apprentices to develop skills beyond the level required by their apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices are recruited appropriately to apprenticeships. From their starting points, they gain substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours that are relevant to their job roles. Leaders adapt delivery to meet the needs of employers and apprentices. For example, where required by employers, the apprenticeship is delivered on site and remotely, rather than requiring attendance at classes. Monitoring visit: The Vocational Academy Essex Ltd, 2 and 3 February 2022 Apprentices are fully informed about the structure and assessment of the programme at an early stage. While leaders have ensured that most apprentices whom they have recruited are committed to their apprenticeship, a small minority have lacked motivation and have left without completing it.

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Reasonable progress

Most employers provide good support for apprentices in the workplace and allocate the appropriate amount of time for off-the-job training. Tutors involve apprentices’ workplace supervisors fully in the regular reviews of apprentices’ progress and in planning apprentices’ training. However, leaders have not ensured that a very small minority of employers were fully committed prior to placing apprentices with them. Leaders have stopped working with these employers, resulting in a small minority of construction apprentices making slow progress while leaders help them to find alternative employment.

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Reasonable progress

Governance arrangements are underdeveloped. Leaders have very recently appointed two governors with highly relevant experience and expertise to an advisory board. However, it is too early to identify the impact of this.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a realistic understanding of the strengths and areas to improve in their provision. They have used feedback effectively from a variety of sources, such as lesson observations and independent quality assurance reports, to write and implement a comprehensive quality improvement plan, which they monitor and evaluate.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that the prior learning of apprentices is thoroughly assessed. Tutors use these results to accurately identify the starting points of apprentices and to plan appropriate support to meet their needs.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices develop a broad range of useful and relevant new skills, knowledge and behaviours. They enjoy their programmes and note the relevance to their job roles and their businesses. For example, a sports coaching apprentice is now able to provide mental and physical performance coaching to enable a team to reach their goals. Employers recognise the positive impact of apprentices on their business, such as apprentices being able to work independently with customers in an efficient manner.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors present information clearly and in a logical order so that apprentices build on previous learning and improve their skills. Tutors provide prompt and useful feedback on apprentices’ work and performance. Apprentices develop good interpersonal skills. Employers note that the training enthuses their apprentices, resulting in exemplary attendance, positive attitudes and excellent behaviours. For example, a business administration apprentice developed more confidence in dealing with customers. Monitoring visit: The Vocational Academy Essex Ltd, 2 and 3 February 2022 Leaders do not ensure that a minority of apprentices make sufficient progress in completing functional skills qualifications. A few tutors do not always focus sufficiently on improving and consolidating apprentices’ existing skills in English or mathematics. Functional skills mathematics workshops are not sufficiently detailed or extensive to enable all apprentices attending to improve their skills.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices receive careers advice and guidance at enrolment, but not systematically through the programme. Consequently, they are not always aware of the wider progression opportunities open to them beyond those offered by their current employer.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices understand what is expected in their final assessment. They talk confidently about the requirements and have practised the skills required. However, not all apprentices are aware of the opportunity to gain higher grades, such as a distinction.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have developed a culture of safeguarding. At the start of their apprenticeship, apprentices complete online training in safeguarding, online safety, and the ‘Prevent’ duty. Tutors refresh their understanding effectively during reviews. As a result, apprentices have the information they need to stay safe. For example, apprentices understand the general threats posed by extremism, radicalisation and terrorism. However, apprentices are insufficiently aware of local risks and how these might affect them in their daily lives.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices are, and feel, safe in the workplace and follow safe working practices. Employers place a high priority on maintaining health and safety standards to minimise accidents in the high-risk environments in which some apprentices work. As a result, apprentices use appropriate personal protective equipment and work in a safe manner.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices know how to report concerns. When they do so, leaders and tutors take effective steps and provide appropriate help and support. Monitoring visit: The Vocational Academy Essex Ltd, 2 and 3 February 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

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

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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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