The NVQ Training Centre Limited

The NVQ Training Centre Limited Report following a monitoring visit to a ‘requires improvement’ provider

p.1

Name of lead inspector: Bev Ramsell, Her Majesty’s Inspector

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address: Hastingwood Industrial Park Wood Lane Erdington Birmingham B24 9QR Monitoring visit: The NVQ Training Centre Limited, 27 April 2022

p.1

Context and focus of visit

NVQ Training Centre Limited was inspected in July 2021. At that time, inspectors judged the overall effectiveness of the provision to require improvement.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

The focus of this monitoring visit was to evaluate the progress that leaders and managers have made in addressing the main areas for improvement identified at the previous inspection.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

The NVQ Training Centre Limited was established in January 2009. The director founded the company to provide vocational training covering a wide range of sectors, including those for warehousing and storage, business administration, customer service practitioner, lean manufacturing operative, and leadership. The provider has held a contract for apprenticeships since March 2017. During the inspection, there were 154 apprentices studying standards-based apprenticeships ranging from level 2 to 5.

p.2

learning experience that supports apprentices to

develop their English and mathematical skills.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Managers have improved their quality assurance processes around teaching and learning. They have ensured that a wider range of aspects that support learning, such as feedback, are considered within their quality assurance processes. As a result of the changes, apprentices learn more complex knowledge in teaching sessions. They enjoy and value the ability to share experiences with each other. They also recognise how the questioning methods used by teachers help them to learn. In sessions, teachers link well the learning taking place to the assessment taken at the end of the apprenticeship.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Managers have considered the actions from the last inspection. They have created a well-thought-out individualised curriculum plan that addresses apprentices’ English and mathematical development needs. However, it is too early to see how effective this plan will be across the provision, as managers chose to pilot the plan in just one curriculum area.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Apprentices generally feel well supported in how they learn English and mathematics. Apprentices access online activities, train in workshops, and receive effective oral feedback. Apprentices are making demonstrable progress. For example, an apprentice – who was not taking functional skills exams – initially achieved a level 1 score in English. Four months later following learning interventions, they assessed Monitoring visit: The NVQ Training Centre Limited, 27 April 2022 at level 2. Where apprentices are undertaking functional skills, tutors use their starting points well to plan learning. Where needed, apprentices access appropriate one-to-one support. However, tutors do not routinely correct apprentices’ written work to support further improvements. English and mathematics are also less well planned for apprentices who have been on programme for a longer time.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Tutors regularly set targets that help apprentices to make progress. Apprentices articulate well targets given by tutors. Targets are often given orally and help apprentices to develop the knowledge needed to complete their work. For instance, an apprentice explained how they needed to show their understanding of the impact of stakeholders on a business. As a result, apprentices are clear on what actions they need to take to move forward. However, targets written in reviews are not useful. They are too complex with overly long timescales for completion.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Tutors generally provide effective feedback. In the best cases feedback supports apprentices to develop well. In the worst, feedback is cursory and deficient of any developmental features. Following the submission of written work, tutors discuss feedback with apprentices. They confirm apprentices’ understanding, and then provide helpful written feedback to support their discussions. As a result, apprentices are mostly making good progress.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Tutors now plan learning well. Tutors have changed the way they plan learning to make sure apprentices have the opportunity to practise their newly learned skills in the workplace. At the start of the apprenticeship, tutors meet with apprentices and their mentors to plan learning. During this meeting, tutors consider the individual needs of the learner and the business. For example, some apprentices who were new to management roles had not previously conducted appraisals. The tutor worked with the mentor to identify the most appropriate time for the training to take place. This led to well-planned learning where apprentices had the best opportunity to put their new skills into practice. However, apprentices enrolled prior to the last inspection do not benefit from this level of planning. Monitoring visit: The NVQ Training Centre Limited, 27 April 2022 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young

p.3

Reasonable progress

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.

p.4

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 .

p.4

Reasonable progress

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.4

Reasonable progress

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.4

Reasonable progress

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

p.4