AS Training (International) Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of AS Training (International) Limited

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Apprenticeships Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Information about this provider

AS Training (International) Limited is an independent learning provider based in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. It began offering apprenticeships relating to the travel industry in 2021. At the time of the inspection, there were 24 apprentices enrolled on level 3 and level 4 apprenticeship standards. Of these, 10 were on the level 3 travel consultant standard, six were on the level 4 sales executive standard and fewer than five were on each of the level 3 customer service specialist, level 3 junior content producer, level 3 team leader/supervisor and the level 3 business administrator standards. Just under half of the apprentices are aged between 16 and 18 years. 12 to 14 July 2023

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices value and enjoy their learning and develop very professional behaviours. Assessors place a high emphasis on developing apprentices’ characters, confidence and resilience, which are vital traits to be successful in the travel industry. Apprentices learn to deal with constructive criticism from customers and to remain calm under pressure. They are polite and respectful, listen carefully and attend their lessons punctually.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices benefit from useful careers advice and guidance from assessors and know what they need to do to prepare for their next steps. Industry specialists visit to provide valuable training and information to apprentices about their future career prospects, such as in the skiing industry. Staff take apprentices to external conferences and events and introduce them to important contacts so that apprentices can discover the many different career opportunities open to them in the travel industry.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

A high number of apprentices take advantage of opportunities provided by leaders to travel abroad and develop first-hand experience of the holiday destinations that they promote in the workplace. They visit countries such as Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Italy and Croatia. Apprentices gain expert knowledge about these countries, which helps them to sell holidays more successfully in their travel stores and broadens their experience of supporting clients.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Assessors prepare apprentices well for life in modern Britain. Apprentices learn why British values are important in their workplace and their personal lives. They work with customers from a wide range of backgrounds, religions and cultures, including customers with disabilities. They know that they must treat all customers fairly and with respect. Apprentices understand the link between the rule of law and following relevant regulations and legislation in the travel industry.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices feel safe. They learn about consent and sexual harm, and they can recognise the signs of unhealthy relationships. In addition to their apprenticeship, apprentices complete four online courses to develop their understanding about topics such as bullying, harassment and up-skirting. They are aware of the risks associated with extremism and radicalisation. Apprentices know who to contact if they have any concerns or issues.

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better?

Leaders have a clear rationale for the apprenticeships they offer: to fill employment gaps and upskill employees in the travel industry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees left the industry, and travel companies are now understaffed. Leaders responded swiftly to this national shortage to offer apprenticeships to fill vacancies in roles such as travel consultants, team leaders, administrators, sales executives and content creators. Leaders are highly experienced in the travel sector 12 to 14 July 2023

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and use their expertise to select a curriculum from which apprentices are trained effectively and which helps them to achieve their aspirations and goals in the travel industry.

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Leaders and assessors adapt the curriculum to meet employers’ needs through the positive relationships they have developed in the sector. Where employers operate in highly specialised areas, such as corporate business travel, leaders adapt the curriculum to respond to their specific requests.

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Assessors use information about apprentices’ starting points to plan learning in a logical order. Apprentices on the level 3 travel consultant programme learn the phonetic alphabet and the use of three-letter codes, which are used daily in travel stores and airports, before moving on to destination training and how to become specialists in particular destinations, such as Australia and Canada. Level 4 sales executive apprentices learn how to manage their time before learning sales techniques and how to build dynamic holiday packages.

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Well-qualified and highly experienced assessors make good use of the large number of specialist contacts they have to keep up to date with industry developments. Leaders and assessors go ‘back to the floor’, attend conferences and frequently visit airports and travel stores. However, there is limited training and development to enable assessors to develop their teaching practice further.

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Assessors use their experience and knowledge to explain concepts successfully and help apprentices quickly develop new knowledge and skills. Apprentices develop their knowledge of a wide range of holiday destinations, which they then use in the workplace to provide a good service to customers. Level 4 sales executive apprentices develop strong selling skills through their knowledge of competitor analysis and marketing strategies.

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Assessors use a wide range of assessment methods effectively to check apprentices’ understanding. They use questioning techniques and online quizzes, and they listen carefully to discussions between apprentices before providing useful verbal feedback. Assessors give clear feedback to apprentices on their written work, which helps apprentices to improve. Apprentices produce work of a good standard for the level of programme they are following.

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Assessors help apprentices to develop their English and mathematics skills in vocational lessons. Apprentices learn how to write professional emails and post information on social media using the correct industry terminology. They develop mathematics skills by learning how to calculate deposits, holiday discounts and commission.

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Most apprentices make progress at the expected level and achieve their qualification. A high proportion achieve a distinction at their end-point assessment. However, a few apprentices who need to achieve functional skills English and mathematics qualifications make slow progress and have not yet achieved these qualifications. This has delayed a few apprentices from completing their 12 to 14 July 2023

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apprenticeship. Leaders and managers rightly recognise this and have put rigorous actions in place, with new apprentices expected to achieve functional skills qualifications within the first six months of their apprenticeship. However, it is too early to see the impact of these changes.

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Staff have high expectations of all apprentices, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Assessors provide appropriate support for apprentices with SEND to enable them to access the curriculum and make progress in line with their peers. For example, assessors adapt the delivery of sessions to meet the needs of apprentices with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by teaching them in shorter, more frequent sessions, which helps these apprentices to concentrate and focus more effectively.

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Most employers attend progress reviews and have a good understanding of apprentices’ progress and areas they still need to develop. However, a few employers do not attend reviews and do not know in sufficient detail the areas that apprentices need to focus on in the workplace.

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Leaders and managers have appropriate arrangements in place to evaluate the quality of teaching. Managers carry out observations of assessors’ practice and helpfully identify relevant areas for improvement. However, a few managers do not evaluate assessors’ teaching skills well enough. As a result, a few assessors do not understand what they need to do to improve their teaching practice.

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Governors have a good understanding of the provider’s strengths and weaknesses. They are highly experienced in education and in governance and use their knowledge and experience well to challenge and support leaders to improve the quality of education they provide.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders have developed a culture of safeguarding. They are committed to ensuring that apprentices are safe. Leaders have appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures in place, and there is a clear procedure to raise and refer safeguarding concerns. Leaders and managers have safer recruitment qualifications and recruit staff who are safe to work with apprentices.

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Safeguarding

The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) is suitably qualified. Staff complete appropriate safeguarding training and understand their safeguarding responsibilities. They promote safeguarding with employers to make sure that employers understand the importance of safeguarding apprentices in the workplace.

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Safeguarding

The governor responsible for safeguarding is highly experienced and is a qualified DSL and ‘Prevent’ duty coordinator. They use their experience very well to guide and support the DSL and to ensure that the right support is in place for apprentices at risk. 12 to 14 July 2023

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Prioritise the teaching of English and mathematics early in apprentices’ programmes.  Ensure that managers focus their attention on the quality of teaching when they observe practice so that assessors fully understand what they need to do to improve.  Provide assessors with professional development opportunities that help them to develop their teaching practice further.  Ensure that all employers attend reviews so that they are clear about the progress that apprentices are making and can support them to develop their skills in the workplace. 12 to 14 July 2023

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Provider details

Address Suite 17, Innovation House 26 Longfield Road South Church Enterprise Park Bishop Auckland County Durham DL14 6XB

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Stephen Foster

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider details

Main subcontractors None 12 to 14 July 2023

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by a director, as nominee. Inspectors took account of the provider’s most recent self-assessment report and development plans, and the previous inspection report. The inspection was carried out using the further education and skills inspection handbook and took into account all relevant provision at the provider. Inspectors collected a wide range of evidence to inform judgements, including visiting learning sessions, scrutinising learners’ work, seeking the views of learners, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider’s documentation and records.

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Inspection team

Philippa Firth, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Jacquie Brown His Majesty’s Inspector 12 to 14 July 2023

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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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