CTSW Skills Ltd

CTSW Skills Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Roger Pilgrim, Ofsted Inspector

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Inspection dates: 31 January and 1 February 2023

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Unit 10 6 Burrington Road Plymouth PL5 3LX Monitoring visit: CTSW Skills Limited 31 January and 1 February 2023

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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

CTSW Skills Limited began training apprentices in January 2022. At the time of the monitoring visit, 12 apprentices were studying craft apprenticeships at level 2. Three were studying the bricklayer apprenticeship, two the carpentry and joinery apprenticeship, three the painter and decorator apprenticeship, and four the plasterer apprenticeship. One apprentice is aged 16 to 18.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear strategic ambition for their apprenticeship programme to support learners, often from challenging backgrounds, to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to progress into employment within the construction industry. Leaders have established very effective working relationships with the construction employers that they work with. This helps to ensure that the training offered by CTSW is well coordinated with the training that employers provide.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have designed an apprenticeship programme that meets the principles and requirements of an apprenticeship. They structure the curriculum skilfully to ensure that apprentices develop significant new skills, knowledge, and behaviours over time. As a result, apprentices quickly develop the necessary trade skills to be effective on site and to meet the needs of their employers.

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Reasonable progress

Managers recruit apprentices with integrity using a comprehensive recruitment process. They establish apprentices’ starting points effectively using a scan of their knowledge of construction and mathematics and English skills, followed by an assessment of their practical hand tool skills in a workshop. Applicants then undertake a work trial with a potential employer to assess fully their suitability for an apprenticeship. Monitoring visit: CTSW Skills Limited 31 January and 1 February 2023 Leaders ensure that apprentices have appropriate end-point assessments (EPAs) in place so that they can fulfil the requirements of the apprenticeship. Tutors receive training from the awarding body to ensure that they prepare apprentices well for the EPAs and communicate the details, such as the evidence required, to apprentices and employers.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that apprentices develop their practical skills effectively when training in spacious, well-equipped workshops. Small groups of apprentices learn quickly, receiving individual coaching in plastering and brick laying. Apprentices are taught well by highly qualified and experienced tutors. Leaders ensure that tutors maintain their professional expertise through regular update training on topics, such as sustainable construction.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders understand the strengths and weaknesses of their newly established apprenticeship programme and have guidance from external consultants. However, leaders are still in the process of establishing a board of governors. As such, they currently lack the oversight that governors could provide to hold leaders to account for the quality of the apprenticeship training or the effectiveness of their leadership and management.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and tutors plan well the courses that apprentices study. Leaders structure learning in a logical way so that apprentices develop a thorough understanding of safe working practices early in their course before using potentially hazardous tools. Apprentices take part in effective classroom-based, off-the-job training sessions run by the provider’s tutors and further training arranged by their employer. For example, tutors provide detailed demonstrations and insightful feedback on skills refinement in hanging wallpaper. Employers visit the training centre on a regular basis to discuss the curriculum content and their apprentices’ progress.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices’ on- and off-the-job training supports the development of their knowledge, skills, behaviours and careers effectively. In workshops, apprentices are introduced to increasingly complex building techniques. For example, bricklayers practise their techniques in building different bonds and towards developing brick arches. Plasterers are guided to use trowels and hawks effectively, and as a result gain a dexterity approaching that of a skilled plasterer. In theory lessons, apprentices gain valuable knowledge of the building sector and how their work influences the sustainability and environmental plans for the region, for example recycling building materials.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices enjoy working as part of a team at work where they get good support from their employers to thrive. For example, plastering apprentices learn how to Monitoring visit: CTSW Skills Limited 31 January and 1 February 2023 produce high finishes on interior walls and ceilings. Employers provide more- challenging work for apprentices as their expertise develops.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices become more proficient at communicating with clients and colleagues. Most are improving their mathematics skills, including measuring, and understand how they can apply these skills. For example, they are adept at using Pythagoras’ theorem to create right angles when setting out buildings or paving. This is because tutors emphasise the application to construction in the mathematics they teach.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors involve employers in regular apprentice reviews, but these are not consistently good. Apprentices’ progress is monitored and reviewed by tutors but the feedback they receive on knowledge and behaviours and the accuracy of target setting are often too vague. As a result, apprentices lack clarity about areas to improve. Apprentices are assessed frequently by tutors on their techniques and understanding. However, much of the feedback is verbal and not recorded, so it is soon forgotten.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have implemented appropriate policies and procedures that staff use effectively to safeguard learners. Apprentices are taught early in their apprenticeship to use tools safely in the craft workshops, and to always wear the correct personal protective equipment. This emphasis on health and safety is reinforced well by employers at work.

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Reasonable progress

As a result of clear guidance provided early in their course, apprentices feel safe and know who to contact if they have a concern. Apprentices are taught about fundamental British values and how they apply at work, for example in relation to treating clients from diverse backgrounds with respect.

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Reasonable progress

All staff are trained in safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty and use this knowledge well to inform their training of safeguarding. The designated safeguarding lead has received appropriate training and carries out the role satisfactorily. However, CTSW’s links with local safeguarding contacts are not sufficiently developed to ensure that staff and apprentices are kept up to date with emerging local safeguarding risks. Monitoring visit: CTSW Skills Limited 31 January and 1 February 2023 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

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

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