AS Training Services Limited

AS Training Services Limited Monitoring visit report

p.1

Name of lead inspector: Joanne Stork, His Majesty’s Inspector

p.1

Inspection dates: 22 and 23 February 2023

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address:

Beverley Enterprise Centre Beck View Road Beverley East Riding of Yorkshire HU17 0TJ Monitoring visit: AS Training Services Limited, 22 and 23 February 2023

p.1

Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of apprenticeship training provision funded 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.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

AS Training Services Limited is an independent training provider based in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire. It delivers apprenticeships for the construction sector. At the time of the visit, 28 apprentices were studying the level 2 plant operator standard. All apprentices are over the age of 18.

p.2

Insufficient progress

Leaders and managers do not have a clear enough oversight of the quality of the curriculum. Tracking and recording of apprentices’ progress lacks rigour and is too informal. Processes for assuring the quality of teaching are not in place, so leaders and managers do not identify aspects of practice that trainers need to improve or what professional upskilling trainers require.

p.2

Insufficient progress

Leaders and managers have not planned a sufficiently broad curriculum. Staff provide information on topics such as British values at the start of the apprenticeship, but do not embed them effectively throughout the programme. They do not contextualise the information so that apprentices are able to apply the values to their job roles or their daily lives in modern Britain.

p.2

Insufficient progress

Staff are not consistently effective in communicating with employers. Leaders and managers do not ensure that employers fully understand the requirements of an apprenticeship. Staff do not routinely involve employers in apprentices’ progress reviews, and too many apprentices do not have an informed mentor in the workplace.

p.2

Insufficient progress

Leaders and managers have selected the level 2 plant operative standard in response to skills gaps in the local construction industry. The programme enables apprentices to develop relevant skills and knowledge in operating heavy plant machinery on construction and civil engineering sites. Monitoring visit: AS Training Services Limited, 22 and 23 February 2023 Trainers are experienced in their fields, and use their expertise well to plan and teach the core curriculum to apprentices. They make effective use of demonstrations, questioning, repetition and practice to help apprentices learn new knowledge and skills. Trainers adapt and sequence the training for each apprentice, considering their starting points and progress. They provide extra support to ensure that apprentices who struggle with specific content make progress in line with their peers. Too often, however, trainers use learning resources that are out of date.

p.2

Insufficient progress

As a result of their training, apprentices develop substantial new skills and knowledge, and the confidence to operate heavy plant machinery on construction and civil engineering sites. They learn practical skills securely, and most retain knowledge, including technical terminology. Apprentices are knowledgeable about safety procedures and apply this in their practice in the workplace.

p.3

Insufficient progress

Trainers use assessment appropriately to check learning and provide feedback. They use a range of assessment methods, such as multiple-choice quizzes, videoed observations and professional discussions, to help apprentices to prepare for end- point assessment.

p.3

Insufficient progress

Apprentices working towards functional skills English and mathematics qualifications successfully acquire new skills in English, including increased accuracy in their written work. However, too often apprentices do not know when they will take their examinations and are not prepared effectively for them.

p.3

Insufficient progress

Trainers use their extensive experience in the industry to provide apprentices with an overview of career routes and how to pursue their goals. However, a few apprentices do not recall receiving any careers guidance.

p.3

Insufficient progress

Leaders and managers do not foster an effective culture of safeguarding within the organisation. They do not keep up to date with changes to legislation to ensure that their policies and procedures are current and fit for purpose. Leaders have not amended the health and safety policy to include a new heavy plant training site.

p.3

Insufficient progress

Leaders and managers do not prioritise the teaching of safeguarding to apprentices throughout the programme. Key topics are not revisited to ensure that apprentices understand potential risks. Apprentices have a limited knowledge of how to keep

p.3

Reasonable progress

Monitoring visit: AS Training Services Limited, 22 and 23 February 2023 themselves safe online or the risks posed by extremist groups, and are not aware of whether they are vulnerable.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have in place a designated safeguarding officer (DSO) with suitable qualifications. However, the DSO does not keep well enough informed of local and national issues or ensure that safeguarding procedures are implemented effectively. Monitoring visit: AS Training Services Limited, 22 and 23 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 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.5

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.5

Reasonable progress

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

p.5

Reasonable progress

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

p.5