Network Rail Infrastructure Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of Network Rail Infrastructure 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

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited is an employer provider based in Coventry, Warwickshire. At the time of the inspection, there were 38 apprentices in learning. All apprentices are over the age of eighteen. There were 26 apprentices on the level 2 rail infrastructure operator apprenticeship standard, and 12 were on the level 3 rail infrastructure operator standard. The provider works with one subcontractor who teaches mathematics and English qualifications for those apprentices who require functional skills as part of their programme. 25 to 27 July 2023

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

Apprentices demonstrate positive attitudes to their learning and are committed to securing permanent employment with Network Rail. Apprentices often arrive at training sessions early and stay late after they have finished to further develop and practise their technical skills. Most apprentices secure permanent employment on completion of their apprenticeship.

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

Apprentices value highly the opportunity to undertake an additional industry- recognised signalling qualification as part of their studies. Apprentices develop competence in signalling and often gain promotions in the workplace.

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

In a few cases, apprentices have become frustrated due to lack of communication about changes to their timetables and placement arrangements. Senior leaders have recognised this and have recently taken steps to resolve this issue. Apprentices are now beginning to see improvements to their apprenticeship experience.

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

Leaders provide appropriate mental health training for apprentices. They are trained to recognise signs of concern and are provided with extensive support. As a result, apprentices feel well prepared to deal with the stress of their profession.

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

Apprentices feel safe. They know there are many places they can go to for help. They have access to confidential support services provided by their employer. Apprentices receive rigorous health and safety training to safeguard them in a work environment that contains significant risks.

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better?

Leaders collaborate well with stakeholders to create a railway infrastructure operator apprenticeship, equipping workers with vital signal and control skills. The previous level 2 rail infrastructure operator apprenticeship did not meet employers’ needs. Leaders rectified this by working with rail industry stakeholders to introduce a new level 3 standard, which met the sector’s revised requirements. Consequently, apprentices study a well-rounded curriculum, designed to prepare them effectively for employment in Britain’s railway industry.

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better?

Leaders carefully structure the curriculum to ensure that apprentices develop significant new knowledge, skills, and behaviours over time. Leaders coordinate on- and off-the-job training well, offering apprentices opportunities to practise new skills during scheduled placements. For example, apprentices receiving signalling training in the classroom then attend a scheduled signal box placement, where they can practise these newly acquired skills.

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better?

Trainers are industry experts who prepare apprentices well for successful rail careers. Trainers update their technical skills through an industry set continuous professional development schedule. As a result, apprentices develop skills which are current and valued in the workplace. 25 to 27 July 2023

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Trainers use assessment and verbal feedback to ensure apprentices understand new concepts. They skilfully use mock tests, recap, and verbal questioning to check that apprentices have retained knowledge on key subjects. However, trainers do not always provide sufficient developmental feedback on apprentices’ written work and reflective accounts. As a result, apprentices do not always know what they need to do to improve. This leads to inconsistency in apprentices’ written work.

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Trainers provide apprentices with simulated practise to help them develop their fluency and quick decision-making in signalling boxes. Trainers introduce scenarios, allow apprentices to explore them on the simulator, analyse the apprentice’s decision-making and then provide developmental feedback. This prepares apprentices well for similar situations when working on the railway.

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Leaders establish high expectations for attendance and punctuality among apprentices. They closely monitor attendance, emphasising its importance in all aspects of work and training. As a result, most apprentices consistently attend training, placements, and work on time.

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Leaders identify the strengths and weakness of the apprenticeships they teach and take action to enhance apprentices’ learning experience. However, in some cases, these actions lack time constraints, which delays the implementation of improvements.

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Senior leaders use the information they have on the apprenticeship programmes to hold managers to account. Senior leaders take a keen interest in the effectiveness of the apprenticeship and continually analyse if it is meeting the needs of the organisation. Senior leaders and managers consistently work to improve the quality of education apprentices receive.

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Leaders do not ensure that all apprentices improve their English and mathematical skills sufficiently during their apprenticeship. Trainers facilitate some discussion with apprentices, allowing them to practise their existing skills. However, they do not focus sharply enough on supporting apprentices to develop these skills further. For example, in reviews, feedback is often limited to the speed of calculations and the use of industry terminology. As a result, not all apprentices develop their English and mathematics skills beyond their initial starting points.

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Leaders do not offer sufficient careers advice and guidance to enable apprentices to understand the wider opportunities available to them upon completion of their apprenticeship. As a result, apprentices are unaware of career options beyond those directly related to their existing apprenticeship.

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Trainers prepare apprentices well for their final assessments and a valued career in the industry. Almost all apprentices successfully complete their final assessments on their first attempt. Most apprentices secure a promotion on completion of their apprenticeship. 25 to 27 July 2023

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and managers have established a culture of safeguarding and protection. The designated safeguarding team is appropriately qualified and has the experience necessary to perform their role effectively. Leaders prioritise safeguarding apprentices, ensuring all staff are suitably trained and actively work towards their protection. As a result, apprentices feel safe.

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Safeguarding

Minor administrative errors in safeguarding documentation were rectified during the inspection.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Leaders should ensure that trainers provide appropriate training to apprentices, so that they improve their English and mathematical skills further.  Leaders should ensure that they provide a fully developed careers education and guidance programme, so that apprentices are aware of the career pathways that are available to them when they complete their apprenticeship.  Trainers should provide apprentices with feedback on their written work, which tells them what they have done well and what they need to do to improve. 25 to 27 July 2023

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Provider details

Address 320 Westwood Heath Road Coventry CV4 8GP

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent John Larkinson

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider details

Main subcontractors The Skills Partnership Limited 25 to 27 July 2023

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the graduate and higher apprenticeship manager, 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 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

Joel Dalhouse, lead inspector His Majesty's Inspector Victor Reid His Majesty's Inspector Helen Morgan His Majesty's Inspector Rebecca Gater Ofsted Inspector 25 to 27 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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