Blyth Harbour Commissioners

Blyth Harbour Commissioners Report following a monitoring visit to a ‘requires improvement’ provider

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Name of lead inspector: Jonny Wright, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Port Training Centre Q Blyth Northumberland NE24 3PA Monitoring visit: Blyth Harbour Commissioners, 10 August 2023

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Context and focus of visit

Blyth Harbour Commissioners was inspected in January 2023. At that time, inspectors judged the overall effectiveness of the provision to require improvement.

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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.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have taken effective action to increase the number of trainers providing teaching and support for apprentices. This has allowed managers to focus on improving the quality of apprenticeships rather than delivering the training themselves. Trainers have the responsibility to work with employers in specific ports and have manageable caseloads of apprentices to work with. If demand for the level 2 port operative apprenticeship increases, managers plan to recruit additional staff accordingly to allow them to maintain their oversight of the quality of apprenticeships.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have recently established clear processes for monitoring the quality of training and assessment. They carry out activities such as work scrutiny and observations of practical and classroom-based training and seek feedback from apprentices and employers. Managers have developed a 12-month plan of quality assurance visits and remote activities. These processes are starting to have a positive impact on the quality of education for apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Since the previous inspection, managers have developed a useful quality improvement action plan. Areas for improvement in the action plan are specific and focus on weaknesses highlighted during the inspection and those identified through quality processes. Although managers rightly recognise that they still have work to do, their actions are beginning to result in improvements, such as in planning off- the-job training with employers. Monitoring visit: Blyth Harbour Commissioners, 10 August 2023

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices recruited since the previous inspection complete a comprehensive initial assessment to identify what they can already do. They complete a training needs analysis of their existing knowledge, skills and behaviours related to working in a port environment. Employers also complete an initial assessment of apprentices’ skills. For example, at the Bristol port, apprentices complete a basic aptitude test, and at the Blyth port, apprentices complete an assessment to evaluate their hand-to- eye coordination. Trainers identify apprentices’ understanding of safe and professional working practices in a port and their knowledge of safe lifting. Apprentices complete an initial assessment of their English and mathematics skills, including those who already hold level 2 qualifications in these subjects. Trainers work closely with apprentices to identify any learning needs or difficulties, such as dyslexia, and how best to support them.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers use information about apprentices’ starting points to create individual training plans for them. Apprentices who need to gain qualifications in English and mathematics receive helpful support from a specialist tutor. Apprentices who require additional learning support receive this depending on their needs. Apprentices with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder attend one-to-one sessions and have longer breaks, and trainers break down information into small and manageable topics in training sessions.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers monitor the progress of apprentices effectively and identify if apprentices require additional training. A few employers do not attend progress reviews consistently. To address this, trainers update employers about the progress of their apprentices and any development areas that need to be addressed. At the Blyth port, trainers identified that apprentices needed to use the steering assistor on a tow tractor more effectively, and supervisors in the workplace supported apprentices to improve these skills.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have worked closely with employers to plan on- and off-the- job training. They have created a schedule of delivery that identifies the content, timing and delivery location of training. Managers identify whether it is the employer or provider that will deliver each part of the training. They sequence the training to ensure that apprentices develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need at the right time through close liaison with employers. Monitoring visit: Blyth Harbour Commissioners, 10 August 2023 Apprentices talk positively about their training, and most consider that they have sufficient time allocated. However, a few apprentices close to the end of their programmes need to complete work in their own time, as the workplace can be exceptionally busy. Managers have taken action to address this through providing comprehensive information to employers and apprentices about the expectations for

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Reasonable progress

off-the-job training as part of the initial sign-up process for apprenticeships.

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Reasonable progress

Managers work closely with employers to improve attendance at progress reviews. As part of the on- and off-the-job training plans for apprentices, managers have created schedules and identified staff in the workplace who will be able to attend.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers are in the process of setting up an online portfolio system for apprentices’ work and progress review documentation. This will enable employers and the provider to view the progress of apprentices at any time and to track accurately the on- and off-the-job training that apprentices receive. Monitoring visit: Blyth Harbour Commissioners, 10 August 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

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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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