South West Construction Academy Limited

South West Construction Academy Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Tracey Zimmerman, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Unit 7 Whitby Road Bristol BS4 3QF Monitoring visit: South West Construction Academy Limited, 7 and 8 April 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

South West Construction Academy Limited (SWCA) has been training apprentices for over eight years. It has held its own training contract for apprenticeships for just over 18 months. They currently have 28 apprentices following the level 3 gas engineering standard.

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Reasonable progress

Directors have a clear and appropriate rationale for their offer of the level 3 gas engineering apprenticeship to local businesses, which is to help fill the national skills shortage of Gas Safe engineers. Employers value highly the skills, knowledge and behaviours that apprentices bring to their businesses. For example, they entrust apprentices with carrying out risk assessments for their clients.

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Reasonable progress

Directors ensure that apprentices receive a well-planned and extensive curriculum. The content of the curriculum includes the development of many skills that are beyond the expectations of the apprenticeship standard. For example, employers requested that apprentices be able to fit radiators. Directors quickly added this to the curriculum to ensure that all apprentices had the requisite skills.

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Reasonable progress

Directors have developed a well-resourced training centre equipped to meet current industry standards. Their well-qualified assessors ensure that the equipment at the centre is well maintained and suitable for the apprentices to use safely.

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Reasonable progress

Directors ensure that the principles and requirements of the apprenticeship programme are met. Apprentices attend the training centre for teaching sessions at least one day a week. Directors successfully encourage employers to provide additional training such as work shadowing, and to ensure that apprentices attend Monitoring visit: South West Construction Academy Limited, 7 and 8 April 2022 trade shows and manufacturer training events. As a result, apprentices gain substantial, new and current skills and knowledge.

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Reasonable progress

Directors do not always identify or act swiftly enough on possible improvements to apprentices’ training. For example, directors have identified recently that written feedback from assessors does not tell apprentices how they can improve their work further. However, assessors’ feedback has remained unchanged.

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Reasonable progress

Directors recognise the benefits of external scrutiny and challenge. As a result, they have recently appointed an external governor who is appropriately qualified and understands their role and responsibility well. The governing body has met once but its impact is yet to be seen.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices are becoming very effective employees. They and their employers have a good understanding of the expectations of the apprenticeship and their role in making it successful.

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Reasonable progress

Assessors establish very accurately what apprentices know and can already do at the start of their apprenticeship. They use this information well when planning learning sessions. For example, in a session on pipework, the assessor set more-challenging work for those who had already mastered the basic techniques. This consisted of tasks such as improving the accuracy of their bends in copper or routing pipework in confined spaces.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices benefit from effective classroom-based training sessions led by skilled and knowledgeable assessors. Apprentices understand the links between what they learn at the centre and what they do at work. This understanding helps them develop swiftly new skills, knowledge and behaviours. The well-crafted curriculum helps them build their skills up progressively. For example, apprentices start with installations of hot- and cold-water systems and then move onto more complex work installing gas appliances and boilers.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices’ self-confidence grows as their professional skills develop. They become more proficient at communicating directly and indirectly with clients and colleagues. Most apprentices quickly improve their mathematical and scientific knowledge and apply it well in their work. However, they do not always receive sufficient help to ensure their written English is accurate enough. For example, some apprentices are unable to produce a quotation for a job without spelling and grammatical errors.

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Reasonable progress

Assessors and employers set high expectations for their apprentices. Apprentices receive useful oral feedback on their practical skills when in the training centre and Monitoring visit: South West Construction Academy Limited, 7 and 8 April 2022 at work. This advice from skilled engineers and assessors enables them to improve their skills rapidly.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices understand and respect the diverse culture, religions and beliefs held within their local communities. They take considerable care to act respectfully when working with customers. For example, they ensure they do not eat particular foods within a customer’s house and take their shoes off where appropriate.

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Reasonable progress

Most apprentices have well-thought-out and realistic career goals. Assessors and employers provide them with effective information, advice and guidance on relevant career paths and qualifications. However, they do not routinely equip those apprentices wishing to become self-employed with the necessary skills to start up and run a business.

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Reasonable progress

The vast majority of apprentices have a very good understanding of safeguarding and what to do if they have any concerns.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices receive well-planned and resourced welfare sessions monthly. These sessions help them to explore relevant topics, such as racism in football, mental health awareness and coping with stress. As a result, apprentices develop a deeper understanding of these subjects and can transfer their knowledge to everyday living.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices have a high level of awareness regarding health and safety. They understand the dangers of working with gas and know the importance of wearing the correct personal protective equipment. Consequently, the apprentices work safely and understand how to spot and remove hazards.

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Reasonable progress

SWCA’s designated safeguarding lead and their deputy have appropriate qualifications for their roles. They have a suitable understanding of how and when to refer safeguarding cases externally. They are in contact with appropriate external agencies which provide them with the support they need. However, they do not yet have systems in place to ensure that they capture all concerns relating to apprentices. Monitoring visit: South West Construction Academy Limited, 7 and 8 April 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

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Reasonable progress

children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Reasonable progress

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

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