D & A Training & Assessment Ltd

D&A Training and Assessment Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Sarah Alexander, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 24 and 25 January 2024

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Star Farm Chippenham Road Marshfield Chippenham SN14 8LH Monitoring visit: D&A Training and Assessment Ltd, 24 and 25 January 2024

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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

D&A Training and Assessment Ltd (D&A) is an independent learning provider based in Chippenham. D&A began offering standards-based apprenticeships in September 2022. At the time of the visit, 12 apprentices were in training and studying the construction plant operative apprenticeship at level 2. Apprentices undertake training at the provider’s training centre in Chippenham. All apprentices are aged 19 or over. All apprentices speak English as a second or other language.

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Insufficient progress

Leaders and managers do not plan training for apprentices sufficiently well so that they incrementally acquire the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to complete their apprenticeship successfully. Apprentices who should have completed their apprenticeship have not yet studied English and mathematics and/or achieved their functional skills qualifications. This is because suitably qualified and experienced teachers were not in position. Leaders recognise this and have put plans in place to provide intensive English and mathematics training for those who are beyond their planned completion date. However, at the time of the visit, this training had not started.

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Insufficient progress

Leaders and managers have not been effective in the quality assurance of the apprenticeship programme. They have not assured themselves of the quality of the training apprentices receive both at work and at the training centre and have not overseen completion of records detailing the content and amount of on- and off-the- job training. As a result, leaders are not aware of all areas for improvement and do not action plan for these effectively.

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Insufficient progress

Leaders work closely with employers to establish the appropriate plant equipment and machinery that apprentices need to be trained to use. For example, as a result of feedback from employers, D&A leaders have added forklift operation training to Monitoring visit: D&A Training and Assessment Ltd, 24 and 25 January 2024 apprentices’ training plans to ensure that they develop the knowledge, skills and practices required at work. However, this training is not currently planned well enough in conjunction with employers or recorded sufficiently in the commitment statement and training plan so that apprentices, employers and trainers understand their individual responsibilities for training.

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Insufficient progress

Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum for apprentices that includes additional training and external accreditation. For example, apprentices learn how to operate heavy plant and machinery on construction sites and gain industry-standard accreditation. As a result, apprentices are prepared well for employment as construction plant operatives in the construction sector.

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Insufficient progress

Leaders have equipped an adequate training site for apprentices with classrooms and industry-standard physical resources that replicate what apprentices experience in their workplaces. For example, apprentices take part in training using different site scenarios, digging at different depths and gradients and using plant on level, undulating and sloping conditions. However, leaders and managers acknowledge that their plans for developing the site, classrooms and facilities are yet to be fully completed. For example, there are too few recreational facilities break-out rooms where apprentices can eat, relax, pray or socialise.

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Insufficient progress

Trainers ensure that apprentices develop appropriate levels of practical skills and technical knowledge. They teach apprentices the key regulatory requirements so that they understand their environmental, safety and security duties well. Trainers prioritise the teaching and assessment of health and safety at the outset and throughout the apprenticeship. Consequently, apprentices know how to work safely as part of a team and when working independently, and they benefit from useful mental health support in the workplace. Although apprentices learn about the risks associated with extremism and radicalisation during induction, tutors had not yet checked their knowledge of these subjects over time.

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Insufficient progress

Trainers and managers do not work closely enough with apprentices’ line managers to identify additional responsibilities and activities at work to help apprentices develop and deepen new knowledge, skills and behaviours. The review of the progress that apprentices make from their starting point is infrequent, and employers are unaware of when each element of training will take place. Consequently, apprentices do not make the progress expected of them.

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Insufficient progress

Trainers highlight to apprentices the importance of good communication and estimating skills when they are using machines. For example, apprentices quickly learn to make decisions on safe working loads and centre of gravity when working on Monitoring visit: D&A Training and Assessment Ltd, 24 and 25 January 2024 undulating or steep sites. Apprentices understand the signals and gestures needed to attract attention to operators. Managers assess apprentices’ English and mathematics skills at the start of their programme effectively. However, they do not use this information well enough to plan training so that apprentices can practise and improve their English and mathematics skills at work.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have developed effective safeguarding arrangements for apprentices. The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) is qualified and suitably experienced and uses this expertise to train the provider staff. Tutors and apprentices are appropriately trained in safeguarding themes such as mental health awareness, modern slavery, and human trafficking. The DSL and a tutor are trained in mental health first aid.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices all hold Construction Industry Scheme Cards and are qualified in health and safety practices to work on site. As a result, they feel safe in their working environment and know how to keep themselves physically safe on site. At the time of the visit, the provider training site had experienced a storm which resulted in damage to health and safety signage. Leaders rightly recognise the importance of appropriate signage, such as who is permitted on site, and the mandatory information regarding the personal protective equipment needed to be worn in helping to keep learners safe, and they were taking immediate action to remedy the situation. Monitoring visit: D&A Training and Assessment Ltd, 24 and 25 January 2024 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

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Reasonable progress

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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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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