Skillcert Limited

Skillcert Limited Report following a monitoring visit to a ‘requires improvement’ provider

p.1

Name of lead inspector: Victor Reid, His Majesty’s Inspector

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address:

Office 9 Frazer Building 126 Bute Street Cardiff CF10 5LE Monitoring visit: Skillcert Limited, 11 and 12 May 2023

p.1

Context and focus of visit

Skillcert Limited was inspected in July 2022. 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 resolving the main areas for improvement identified at the previous inspection.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

At the time of the visit, the company had 159 apprentices, most of whom were adults. Apprentices are located across most regions of England and receive their training entirely in the workplace. Most apprentices work towards standards-based apprenticeships at levels 2 and 3. The remaining apprentices study at level 4 and above. The apprenticeship curriculum includes a wide range of qualifications in the recycling, manufacturing and business sectors. The company no longer provides traineeships.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Since the previous inspection, managers and staff have implemented a more rigorous approach to the identification and assessment of apprentices’ vocational starting points, including their skills in both English and mathematics, to inform the planning and sequencing of learning.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Most tutors make effective use of the information acquired through initial and diagnostic assessments to determine the steps that apprentices need to take to develop and extend their vocational and technical skills. In learning sessions, tutors recap and revisit learning, which enables apprentices to consolidate what they have learned and to retain key technical concepts in their long-term memory. In addition, tutors now liaise more closely with most employers to plan and coordinate off-the- job training with that undertaken in the workplace. However, in a few instances, some employers do not provide their apprentices with sufficiently regular Monitoring visit: Skillcert Limited, 11 and 12 May 2023 opportunities to practise and repeat their newly developed skills in the workplace. As a result, these apprentices do not make the progress of which they are capable.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Most vocational tutors now set specific, individualised and incremental targets for apprentices to achieve and to support their skills development. These targets are jointly reviewed and updated each month by tutors with each apprentice. As a result, increasing numbers of apprentices now make more rapid and sustained progress in their learning and skills acquisition.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Leaders have implemented a revised apprenticeship tracking and monitoring system. This allows managers and tutors to identify apprentices who are not making the expected progress and to work alongside the employer and the apprentice in providing the necessary support and/or challenge to help them to catch up. Apprentices who have had a poor experience of training are more positive about the revised arrangements to support their learning and skills development.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Most tutors now routinely provide apprentices with helpful, developmental feedback that sets out what they have done well or how to improve their work. As a result, apprentices gain confidence and become more assured in their vocational skills development. In addition, tutors revisit learning, which enables apprentices to consolidate what they have learned. However, in a few instances, the feedback provided by tutors to apprentices who have the potential to achieve high grades is not specific enough to ensure that the standard of their work is fully reflective of the demands in their final assessment.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Leaders have ensured that tutors have received training on equality and diversity. This has extended their confidence in the planning and delivery of learning activities designed to expand apprentices’ insight into, and understanding of, matters associated with life and work in multicultural Britain. Most apprentices now benefit from carefully considered learning activities during which tutors encourage them to discuss and reflect on a wide range of social and personal issues that help to extend their understanding of life in modern Britain. For example, they explore themes such as the importance of social inclusion, tolerance and celebrating cultural diversity.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Leaders have strengthened course information, advice and guidance arrangements. They now work closely with employers and their employees to ensure that recently recruited apprentices have a more precise understanding of the demands and Monitoring visit: Skillcert Limited, 11 and 12 May 2023 expectations associated with being on an apprenticeship. As a result, apprentices quickly value the training they receive and become more motivated to complete their apprenticeship. However, a small minority of apprentices who are close to completing their course are not provided with sufficient information about wider career possibilities that would help them to plan their future next steps.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Leaders have established a suitably detailed quality improvement strategy to raise standards and to improve the learning experience for apprentices. However, a few aspects of the quality improvement plan have not been completed on time.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Leaders have carried out a detailed audit of the skills and experience of all staff and how these align with the priorities set out in the curriculum plan. As a result, new staff have been recruited and a few tutors replaced. Leaders now ensure that the work of geographically dispersed tutors is subject to more robust and regular checks. Managers meet with tutors at monthly supervision meetings to challenge performance and to raise standards. Where areas for improvement are identified, this results in targeted staff development and/or adjustment to teaching.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Senior managers, with the support of the board, have strengthened the arrangements for monitoring the provision. This has included introducing additional resources to improve their ongoing oversight of the provision and to ensure that improvements are being sustained over time.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have implemented a clear plan for improving the teaching of English and mathematics to apprentices. Prior to starting their course, all apprentices receive a suitable assessment of their English and mathematical skills development needs, the result of which are incorporated into their training plans. Managers now routinely provide targeted support for tutors in their planning for, and teaching of, literacy and numeracy training to apprentices. As a result, most apprentices now benefit from timely support that enables them to make progress towards their qualifications in English and mathematics. Increasing numbers of apprentices are now passing their functional skills examinations at the first attempt. Monitoring visit: Skillcert Limited, 11 and 12 May 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

p.4

Reasonable progress

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.5

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