David Nieper Limited

David Nieper Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Russ Henry, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Address: Nottingham Road Alfreton DE55 7LE Monitoring visit: David Nieper Limited, 17 and 18 August 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

David Nieper Limited is a manufacturer of ladies’ clothing based in Alfreton in Derbyshire, with around 300 employees. It trains its own staff in the level 2 sewing machinist and the level 3 garment maker standards-based apprenticeships. At the time of the visit, there were seven apprentices, of whom three were studying at level 2 and four at level 3.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have developed apprenticeships to support the company’s growing need to attract, train and retain a skilled workforce of sewing machinists and garment makers. They recruit mostly unskilled beginners who develop substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours as a result of their studies.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices begin their training in a well-equipped area adjacent to the production lines, known as ‘The Academy’. Within this area, they have access to the whole range of machinery used on the production lines to develop their skills before completing any actual garment production.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers have good subject expertise gained through long careers in the garment- making business. They benefit from some useful professional development in topics such as giving feedback and coaching skills. However, this training is not comprehensive. For example, they do not receive training in how to help apprentices improve their writing.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices’ supervisors do not understand the full range of elements that make up an apprenticeship. Although they help apprentices develop their practical skills, they Monitoring visit: David Nieper Limited, 17 and 18 August 2022 do not always know what additional knowledge apprentices need to gain or how they are assessed, which limits the support they can offer.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have made basic arrangements to monitor the quality of training and have identified a few weaknesses. However, quality assurance processes are not extensive enough to identify the full range of areas for improvement. Where managers have identified weaknesses, they have not always resolved them quickly. For example, they have not yet made appropriate arrangements for apprentices to study functional skills qualifications. Although managers have a governance committee of appropriately knowledgeable individuals, this committee does not yet receive enough information about the quality of apprenticeships to make a telling contribution.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices participate in an appropriate amount of practical training that develops their skills well. This includes individual coaching, small group sessions and the use of good training materials. Apprentices begin their training in ‘The Academy’ where they develop their sewing and garment-making skills. They then move to a ‘transition line’ where they work on real products to improve quality and increase speed. Finally, they move on to the full production line. Throughout this process, trainers provide effective demonstrations and coaching.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers use dexterity tests, garment-making exercises and sewing assessments to check apprentices’ practical skills and aptitude before they commence their studies. As a result, trainers have a clear understanding of which skills apprentices need to develop. They monitor closely the progress that apprentices make and take this into account when planning training. They discuss apprentices’ progress with their supervisors who also provide ongoing guidance in the workplace.

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Reasonable progress

Managers make good arrangements for apprentices to shadow colleagues in other departments. This helps them to gain an insight into how the company operates. Most other knowledge-based learning is through individual research tasks, and this is less successful. Tutors do not review the work that apprentices produce as a result of their research. Consequently, apprentices do not know whether it is accurate or how they might make improvements. Managers have recognised this problem and have started to develop a range of online resources to teach and assess theoretical topics, but this work is not yet complete.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have not paid enough attention to developing apprentices’ English and mathematical skills. Tests to establish apprentices’ starting points are not sufficient. Managers have been slow to arrange functional skills tuition. Vocational trainers do not fully recognise how they can help apprentices to develop their writing skills. They do not comment on the quality of apprentices’ writing or provide guidance about how they can improve. Monitoring visit: David Nieper Limited, 17 and 18 August 2022

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers take suitable steps to ensure the safety and well-being of apprentices. They create a safe environment in which staff and apprentices are happy to raise concerns or request support.

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Reasonable progress

Managers carry out appropriate background checks on training staff. Staff receive relevant training in safeguarding and managers provide a programme of annual updates.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers provide apprentices with information and training about safeguarding topics relevant to the fashion and textiles industry and their daily lives. For example, they explain the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking within supply chains. They also help apprentices to recognise the signs that someone may be suffering from abuse.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices are taught about a range of health and safety topics early in their courses. This helps to ensure that they remain safe while working with a range of machinery. Staff take a thorough approach to maintaining health and safety on the shop floor. Monitoring visit: David Nieper Limited, 17 and 18 August 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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