Road Haulage Association Limited

Road Haulage Association Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Penny Fawcus, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

2nd floor Worldwide House Thorpe Wood Peterborough PE3 6SB Monitoring visit: Road Haulage Association Limited, 22 and 23 June 2023

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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.

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Context and focus of visit

Road Haulage Association Limited (RHA) is a trade association for the road haulage industry. It established itself as a small, independent learning provider in August 2022. RHA operates from a head office in Peterborough.

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Context and focus of visit

At the time of the monitoring visit, RHA had 16 apprentices in training. All apprentices are over the age of 19 years. RHA specialises in standards-based apprenticeships in large goods vehicle (LGV) driver at level 2. RHA currently works with two employers. Apprentices are based in the West Midlands, Cambridgeshire, Northampton and West Yorkshire.

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Context and focus of visit

RHA has no apprentices in receipt of high-needs funding and no subcontracted provision.

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Reasonable progress

As a member organisation of the logistics sector, RHA has close working relationships with employers. Leaders have the networks and reputation in the industry to develop a curriculum that employers value. Leaders understand the challenges that employers face with recruitment. They have designed an apprenticeship programme in response to these challenges.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders work effectively with employers to tailor the learning and skills delivered to meet the needs of the workplace. Leaders share the curriculum with the employer at the start of the programme. Leaders consult employers on the sequence of learning to make sure that it meets the needs of the workplace. Leaders ensure that apprentices develop skills and knowledge that reflect the core business of the employer. Leaders adapt the learning schedule to meet business needs, such as planning around busy work periods. Monitoring visit: Road Haulage Association Limited, 22 and 23 June 2023 Leaders secure employers’ commitment effectively to the full apprenticeship programme. Where employers are wanting their employees to gain their driving licence only, leaders direct them appropriately to other commercial training programmes.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers are well qualified and experienced in their sector. Leaders ensure that trainers regularly complete vocational professional development. As a result, trainers are up to date with sector changes and developments. However, leaders do not have a structured approach to trainers’ development of their skills as teachers and educators.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders communicate effectively with employers to ensure that apprentices are making good progress. Leaders make swift contact to schedule additional meetings or training to act on any concerns.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders receive effective support and challenge provided by an internal RHA board of directors. The board is knowledgeable about the logistics sector. However, board members have limited oversight and expertise to drive improvements in the quality of education.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and trainers ensure that apprentices build their new knowledge and skills in carefully constructed steps. Trainers plan for apprentices to gain a detailed understanding of the recording of drivers’ hours on tachographs. Apprentices then observe how experienced drivers apply these regulations in their daily work. They understand the penalties of non-compliance for themselves and their employer. Consequently, apprentices build a good understanding of how they must comply with national regulations.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices deepen and apply their newly learned theory in practice. They learn about daily vehicle checks before completing these themselves. Apprentices work shadow experienced drivers in coupling and uncoupling trailers and securing vehicle loads. Furthermore, trainers question and observe apprentices’ knowledge and practical skills when securing vehicle loads with straps. As a result, apprentices carry out these key activities to national standards.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that apprentices’ formal tests are carefully planned and pre-booked at each stage of the programme. Leaders plan the tests to coincide with apprentices’ expected progress. As a result, apprentices develop the professional skills of LGV drivers that are sought by employers.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices receive helpful feedback on their progress and agree new targets for development. However, many of these recorded targets are task related, for example Monitoring visit: Road Haulage Association Limited, 22 and 23 June 2023 reading, ‘Complete the next unit’. Trainers do not encourage apprentices to reflect on what they have done well and what they need to do to improve and to achieve high grades.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders accurately measure the starting points of apprentices in English and mathematics. In addition, leaders gather information about apprentices’ prior experience and qualifications. Leaders make good use of apprentices’ starting points. They tailor the curriculum to prioritise areas for development. The functional skills tutors monitor apprentices’ individual progress closely. Tutors provide additional help and support for apprentices where needed. As a result, the great majority of apprentices achieve the English and mathematics qualifications they require.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices benefit from the ongoing information and guidance about their sector and the types of job roles and careers open to them. However, apprentices do not yet receive broader advice on the wider careers open to them or on how to prepare for interviews and apply for jobs.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and employers prioritise apprentices’ safety, given the high levels of risk present in the workplace. They ensure that apprentices understand the rigorous safety legislation and compliance required by the logistics sector. Leaders ensure that apprentices complete and understand safeguarding topics at the start of their programme. These include safeguarding, the potential risks of radicalisation and extremism, and equality and diversity.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have established a positive culture of support for the well-being of staff and apprentices. Managers consider staff well-being in their day-to-day working life. Managers discuss ways to improve and support apprentices’ well-being through performance review meetings. Managers prioritise initiatives designed to be preventative, such as those on healthy lifestyles and mental health and well-being. RHA has designated mental health first-aiders and works with a range of charities, such as one supporting diabetes welfare. Staff have access to training modules on health and well-being. Monitoring visit: Road Haulage Association Limited, 22 and 23 June 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

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Reasonable progress

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

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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

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