Multi Trades Training Ltd

Multi Trades Training Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Peter Cox, Her Majesty's Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

12 Enborne Way Brimpton Reading RG7 4TP Monitoring visit: Multi Trade Training Ltd, 6 to 7 July 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

Multi Trades Training Ltd (MTT Ltd) is a national independent learning provider. Formerly a private training company specialising in construction qualifications, MTT Ltd successfully registered to provide apprenticeships in 2020.

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Context and focus of visit

At the time of the monitoring visit, there were approximately 130 apprentices. Of these, 24 apprentices studied level 2 construction plan operative standard, 22 apprentices studied level 2 carpentry and joinery standard, 17 apprentices studied level 2 furniture manufacturer standard, and 15 apprentices studied level 2 plasterer standard. The remaining apprentices studied level 2 apprenticeships standards in bricklaying, painting and decorating, interior systems installation, and fencing installation.

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Context and focus of visit

MTT Ltd does not subcontract any of its provision.

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Insufficient

Leaders and managers do not use suitable quality assurance systems and so do not have sufficient knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of training. While they are taking steps to resolve this issue, including the introduction of a new governing body, it is too early to see the impact of these actions.

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Insufficient

Leaders and managers do not have appropriate measures to ensure programmes meet the requirements of apprenticeships. Leaders and managers do not have suitable processes in place to ensure that all apprentices are in receipt of off-the-job- training. Monitoring visit: Multi Trade Training Ltd, 6 to 7 July 2022 Leaders and managers have developed the curriculum carefully to support the increased demand for tradespeople within construction industries. Leaders collaborate with employers and local enterprise partners closely to ensure that apprenticeship programmes meet the needs of the sector. For example, in response to changes to practice within the sector, level 2 carpentry and joinery apprentices now learn to use power tools as well as hand tools. Leaders have designed programmes to include useful additional qualifications, such as the construction skills certification scheme card, which helps apprentices to become more competitive

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Insufficient

Leaders and managers ensure that training staff have substantial experience within construction industries. Many members of the training team continue to work within the sector and so remain vocationally proficient. Training staff benefit from useful and regular professional development, which helps them to become better teachers. For example, leaders support staff who may not have a background in training to gain level 5 teaching qualifications.

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Reasonable

Apprentices develop the knowledge and skills they need to be effective tradespeople because of their studies. They become better at using a range of increasingly complex materials, techniques, and tools. For example, level 2 plastering apprentices become adept at levelling, flattening, and repairing plaster. They know how to properly wield hand tools. Level 2 bricklaying apprentices know the skills and techniques required when using different types of stone.

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Reasonable

Highly experienced and skilled training staff have a very good understanding of employers’ business needs. They use this information to plan highly effective training sessions. For example, training staff teach level 2 plastering apprentices about rendering, which prepares them well for future building projects. They sequence teaching carefully. For example, apprentices across a range of apprenticeship programmes work together to learn about general topics, such as site management, before progressing to specialist training. This initial group training helps apprentices to understand the role of different trades when working on site.

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Reasonable

Training staff have substantial vocational and sector experience which they use to help apprentices make progress in their learning. For example, level 2 carpentry and joinery apprentices benefit from experienced trainers showing them the best methods of attaching soft and hard wood to prevent splintering. They use questioning and assessment well to check apprentices’ knowledge and understanding. Training staff provide useful feedback that helps most apprentices to improve their work. Monitoring visit: Multi Trade Training Ltd, 6 to 7 July 2022 Training staff use industry-standard equipment, including mobile training units fitted to recreate different building projects. This enables apprentices to practise and consolidate their skills, which they then apply to their job roles.

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Reasonable

Training staff do not support apprentices to develop their literacy skills successfully. As a result, too few apprentices achieve their English qualification.

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Reasonable

Leaders and staff do not ensure that apprentices receive helpful careers advice. Consequently, apprentices do not understand what their next steps might be.

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Insufficient

Leaders have not developed a secure culture of safeguarding. They do not adequately check that staff are safe to work with apprentices. Leaders do not have sufficient oversight of safeguarding incidents. They do not record or monitor safeguarding incidents effectively, and so cannot ensure that intervention is appropriate or timely.

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Insufficient

Leaders ensure staff understand their responsibilities within safeguarding. However, leaders do not have a suitable understanding of local and regional threat and so staff are unable to help keep apprentices safe from these risks.

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Insufficient

Apprentices feel safe and know how to report concerns, should this be necessary. Staff teach apprentices how to work in construction sites and workshops safely. While leaders and staff have taken steps to teach apprentices about supporting mental health in construction industries, it is too early to see the impact of these actions. Monitoring visit: Multi Trade Training Ltd, 6 to 7 July 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

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Insufficient

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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Insufficient

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 .

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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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