EAS Mechanical Limited

EAS mechanical limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Nikki Brady, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 27 and 28 September 2023

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

69, St. James Mill Road Northampton NN5 5JP Monitoring visit: EAS mechanical limited, 27 and 28 September 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

EAS mechanical limited is an independent learning provider based in Northampton. The provider works with local, small-to-medium sized businesses within the construction industry. Prior to gaining approval to deliver its own standards-based apprenticeships, EAS was an apprenticeship subcontractor for a medium-sized further education college and a large national independent learning provider.

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Context and focus of visit

At the time of the visit, there were 115 apprentices studying at various stages of their course. There were, 23 level 2 building service engineer installers, 10 level 3 building service engineering craftsperson apprentices, 45 level 3 plumbing and domestic heating technicians and 37 level 3 installation and maintenance electricians. Thirty apprentices are under 18 years of age. A small number of apprentices study mathematics and English qualifications alongside their apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Managers work closely with employers to understand their needs. They support local businesses to fill vacancies, due to a local skills shortage, and to build new knowledge, skills and behaviours in their workforce.

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Reasonable progress

Managers use commitment statements effectively to outline the requirements of the apprenticeship and clarify the roles and responsibilities of all parties. Managers communicate with employers clearly about their responsibilities and ensure they follow the principles and requirements of the apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors and workplace assessors are highly skilled and have substantial industry experience. The vast majority have advanced teaching qualifications. Managers support tutors to complete frequent training to update their skills, such as, Monitoring visit: EAS mechanical limited, 27 and 28 September 2023 installation and maintenance of air source and heat pump technology. They use this knowledge well, to provide teaching that is up to date with industry standards.

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Reasonable progress

Managers ensure apprentices benefit from high-quality physical resources, such as commercial and domestic appliances. As a result, apprentices can practise and develop their trade skills in a safe and secure environment, using industry standard equipment.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have faced some challenges in securing appropriate arrangements for apprentices completing final assessments. As a result, a very small number of level 2 apprentices will fall behind with their final assessments.

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Reasonable progress

Managers use effective quality assurance processes to monitor and improve the quality of education for apprentices. For example, leaders continuously review the amount of off-the-job training apprentices receive, and make sure employers provide apprentices with their training entitlement.

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Reasonable progress

Managers are realistic about their current apprenticeship offer and have an appropriate understanding of their areas for improvement. Plans are in place to address these, however it is too early to judge the impact of these arrangements.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices receive ample, well-planned on- and off the job training. They complete a range of useful activities such as shadowing their mentor, working under supervision, or attending workplace training events. Apprentices quickly develop the knowledge and skills needed to work in the construction sector.

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Reasonable progress

Employers value highly the new knowledge, skills and behaviours apprentices gain through their course. Level 3 installation and maintenance electricians develop their skills to work on more complex jobs from first fit to second fit and can work independently.

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Reasonable progress

Managers and tutors effectively identify apprentices’ prior qualifications and experience. They use this information to ensure apprentices are enrolled onto the correct course and develop substantial new knowledge, skills, and behaviours. For example, level 2 building service engineer installers with prior qualifications are fast tracked to join year two of the course.

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Reasonable progress

The majority of tutors plan and sequence learning well. Topics are taught in a logical order to ensure apprentices progressively build their knowledge and skills. Apprentices swiftly develop the knowledge and skills needed to work safely and productively in the workplace. However, too few tutors use initial assessments of Monitoring visit: EAS mechanical limited, 27 and 28 September 2023 apprentices’ existing English and mathematics skills to plan lessons. As a result, apprentices’ do not develop these skills as quickly as they could.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices benefit from constructive and supportive feedback on their practical and written work. They understand the progress they are making and know what they need to do to improve. Most apprentices are on target to complete their qualifications on time.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors and workplace assessors prepare apprentices well for their final assessments. They make sure that apprentices have suitable opportunities to practise relevant tasks. Apprentices benefit from individual support and on-site assessment to ensure they are following correct procedures and develop the competency levels required. However, a small minority of employers are not fully aware of the requirements of final assessments. This limits their ability to fully support apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

The designated safeguarding lead and deputies are suitably trained. Managers implement suitable safeguarding and ‘Prevent’ duty policies. They have completed an appropriate Prevent duty risk assessment and action plan. As a result, managers are aware of their duties to ensure the safety of apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices say they feel safe at work and within workshops. They are confident to report safeguarding or welfare concerns. Apprentices have a good knowledge of health and safety and wear the required personal protective equipment.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices receive well-planned training on potential risks of radicalisation and extremism that is contextualised to their job roles. For example, apprentices are informed well about extremist groups targeting trade companies who do not use sustainable materials or methods. As a result, apprentices understand how these concepts relate to their work and everyday lives. Monitoring visit: EAS mechanical limited, 27 and 28 September 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

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Reasonable progress

children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Reasonable progress

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

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