Learning Into Employment Academy Ltd

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of Learning Into Employment Academy Ltd

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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Information about this provider

Learning into Employment Academy Limited (LiEA) is an independent learning provider based in Birmingham. The provider was awarded a direct contract in May 2021 by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to provide training in construction. At the time of the inspection, 109 learners were in training. Most learners work towards very short qualifications in health and safety, as well as completing assessments in the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). Around 20 learners study an entry level 3 certificate in preparing for further learning and employment (warehousing). LiEA does not work with any subcontractors. 7 to 9 February 2024

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

Learners benefit from calm and inclusive learning environments both in class and in the communal areas at LiEA. Learners are respectful of each other and staff. Leaders and staff are friendly and are always available to provide learners with help and advice throughout the duration of their courses.

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

Tutors and staff prepare learners well for their next steps. Tutors teach them specific skills training according to their job role. This supports learners’ understanding of the working environment and the transition to employment. Learners learn about the safe use of equipment and techniques deployed when deep cleaning properties on construction sites or product picking and packing roles in warehousing. As a result, learners are reliable, improve their confidence and self-esteem, and settle quickly into bustling workplaces as valued staff.

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

Attendance is high for most learners in on-site classes and when attending online learning, and they consequently make good progress on their courses. Learners feel safe and are aware of how to report potential concerns to staff. In a few cases, learners do not sufficiently know the risks of radicalisation and extremism in their local areas.

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

Learners develop a good understanding of the knowledge and techniques required for their external assessments and to complete their learning. As a result, nearly all learners achieve their qualifications, with the large majority moving into employment.

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better?

Senior leaders have effective relationships with the WMCA and local employers. This ensures that they have a good understanding of the skills requirements for the construction and warehouse and distribution sectors. Leaders have also developed strong relations with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). As a result, most of the learners referred from the DWP move successfully into training and work.

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better?

Learners benefit from well-focused careers, education, information, advice and guidance. As a result, learners are well informed about employment options and stay to complete their course. Most learners remain with their first employer, moving into roles with more responsibility.

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better?

Tutors use their broad knowledge and wealth of site experiences to help learners to relate theory to practice in the field. Tutors use information about what learners know ad can do to adapt teaching so that learners learn new knowledge and skills. Although tutors extend learners’ terminology and give extra time for English and mathematics, they do not know well enough learners’ skills in these subjects in order to improve their skills over time. 7 to 9 February 2024

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Tutors plan and sequence knowledge effectively and provide learners with a flexible teaching timetable. Learners access learning either in class or online. Tutors ensure that learners build their knowledge and skills sequentially from topic introductions to more complex tasks. For example, learners identify entry level job roles in logistics that match their skills and experience when preparing to apply for a job. Tutors routinely extend classes to accommodate the individual needs of learners and ensure that all learners understand and consolidate their learning.

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Tutors use helpful teaching methods to explain new information and help learners to apply their knowledge in various real-world scenarios. They also teach learners the skills necessary to be successful in their assessments. For example, to help prepare learners for multiple choice questions, they ensure that learners remember key terms and vocabulary, so they are able to answer correctly and apply the information in their future roles.

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Tutors use assessment strategies effectively to check learning. They use questioning well to check the understanding of individual learners and frequently extend the breadth and complexity of questions exploring what learners know. Tutors frequently recap and help learners to consolidate learning before proceeding to more complex topics. For example, they give each learner the opportunity to recall an item of protective equipment or identify a safety sign. As a result, learners learn step by step and remember important workplace information.

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Tutors provide learners with effective verbal feedback in classes that addresses learners’ misunderstandings and questions. However, too often, tutors fail to identify fundamental errors in areas such as spelling and grammar on learners’ written work, which limits their ability to recognise and spell key terminology correctly.

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Learners who have an identified additional learning need receive the appropriate support and resources they need. Tutors ensure that they access information readily and are able to demonstrate their understanding in their assessments.

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Leaders are ambitious for their learners. They ensure that learners cover topics such as manual handling and asbestos removal on the construction course and counterbalance training for forklift truck driving on the warehouse course. As a result, learners have a wider understanding of safe working practices and are better prepared for entry into their chosen sector.

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Leaders use information about learners’ progress and achievements effectively to improve teaching. They monitor closely the quality of teaching and assessments and use this along with learners’ achievements in external tests to discuss strategies to help tutors to improve their practice. For example, tutors have received helpful training to enable them to teach engaging blended learning classes so that all learners in the classroom and online gain new knowledge and understanding.

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Leaders communicate with teams daily and consequently have good relations with all staff. They consider staff workload and ensure that all staff are able to discuss 7 to 9 February 2024

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and share their concerns and thoughts in order to make continuous improvement to the working environment.

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Although leaders have helpful discussions and oversight of their financial records, they have only very recently identified a governor to review the quality of education. As a result, it is too soon to judge the effectiveness of this support to hold leaders to account.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Develop the use of information about learners’ English and mathematics skills to provide learners with effective individual support to improve learners’ skills in these subjects.  Where written feedback is provided, support learners with helpful corrections and feedback, including on their English skills.  Support governors with helpful information so they can hold leaders to account effectively.  Support learners so that they know well enough the threats from radicalisation and extremism in their local communities. 7 to 9 February 2024

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Provider details

Address Lombard Street Birmingham B12 0QR

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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 7 to 9 February 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the managing director, as nominee. Inspectors took account of the provider’s most recent self-assessment report and development plans, and the previous new provider monitoring visit 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 classes, 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

Richard Deane, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector Jaswant Mann Ofsted Inspector Joanne Keatley Ofsted Inspector Martin Bennett Ofsted Inspector 7 to 9 February 2024

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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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