Approved Training Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection dates: 20 to 22 February 2024

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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

Approved Training Limited (ATL) is an independent learning provider based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. The current owner acquired ATL in April 2023. At the time of the inspection, ATL had 25 apprentices in learning. Twenty-two apprentices study the level 2 lean manufacturing operative apprenticeship and three study the level 3 maintenance and operations engineering technician apprenticeship. All apprentices are adults and are employed by one employer. Almost all apprentices do not speak English as their first language. 20 to 22 February 2024

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

Apprentices are highly appreciative of the opportunities that the apprenticeship gives them to develop new knowledge and skills of manufacturing processes. They are committed to the apprenticeship and are motivated to learn.

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

Apprentices learn new skills as they work on projects such as effective use of work equipment, internal and external storage and hygiene. They develop their confidence and communication skills as they work closely with their peers to complete group projects that they then present to their employer and work colleagues. They are proud that they are supporting their employer to become more efficient.

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

Apprentices and staff create a safe and supportive environment in which to learn. Apprentices are respectful towards their trainers and their peers. They are aware of the diverse range of backgrounds and cultures of the group. They understand the challenges that this brings and provide support and help to each other.

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

Apprentices’ rates of attendance at training sessions are high because leaders and managers have set clear expectations for this and for apprentices’ conduct and punctuality. If apprentices are absent from training sessions, they are supported effectively by trainers, managers and the employer’s performance improvement manager so that they catch up quickly with any work that they have missed.

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

Apprentices do not receive effective careers guidance. They are not always aware of the full range of possible career, promotion or additional training options available to them.

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better?

Leaders have a clear rationale for the apprenticeships they offer. They have chosen the level 2 lean manufacturing apprenticeship to support the employer they work with and to reduce skills gaps in this sector both locally and nationally.

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better?

Leaders work closely with the employer. Employers are involved in the planning and sequencing of the curriculum. Leaders update the employer frequently about apprentices’ progress. Trainers involve the employer’s performance improvement manager in the planning of apprentices’ on- and off-the-job training. This enables the performance improvement manager to provide apprentices with opportunities to practise the skills they have learned in their off-the-job training sessions on the factory floor.

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better?

Trainers are experts in the subjects they teach and are still employed in the manufacturing industry. They use their expertise to help apprentices learn new lean business techniques. They help apprentices to understand methodologies such as six sigma to improve business processes. 20 to 22 February 2024

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Trainers do not set apprentices developmental or improvement targets that are precise enough. Targets focus on the work and activities apprentices need to complete the qualification. Targets are not based on the knowledge, skills and behaviours that apprentices need to improve.

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Trainers help apprentices use and become more confident with their technical language for lean processing systems. Trainers effectively check and consolidate apprentices’ learning through strategies such as quizzes, oral questions and quick- fire questioning. This frequent checking by trainers ensures that apprentices retain this knowledge in their long-term memory.

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Trainers’ written feedback to apprentices, following assessment, is not of a consistently high quality. In subjects such as mathematics and English, apprentices receive useful developmental feedback that helps them to improve the quality of their work. However, in a few instances in other subjects, apprentices receive cursory feedback on their work and do not always understand what improvements they need to make.

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Apprentices gain substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours because of their apprenticeship. They learn about different tools and methods to help them improve processes in the workplace. They learn how to complete a 5S audit and create process maps. Apprentices apply their new knowledge, skills and behaviours through projects at work such as reducing waste, which improves processes in the workplace, increases productivity and reduces costs for the business.

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Trainers do not ensure that apprentices have a clear understanding of the requirements for the final assessments. Apprentices are not aware of the grades available and do not know what they need to do to achieve a merit or distinction grade.

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Governors have significant expertise and experience in managing apprenticeships. They have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. They skilfully hold leaders to account for improving the quality of education and training. Governors fulfil their statutory responsibilities effectively.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Ensure apprentices know the requirements for their final assessments, including the grades available and what they need to do to achieve merit or distinction grades.  Improve the specificity of developmental and improvement targets set for apprentices to improve their knowledge, skills and behaviours.  Improve the quality of written feedback to apprentices following assessment. 20 to 22 February 2024

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 Ensure that apprentices receive effective careers guidance, including information about potential careers, promotion and additional training. 20 to 22 February 2024

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Provider details

Address The Studio 1 Comberton Road Kidderminster DY10 1UA

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Ellis Bailey

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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 20 to 22 February 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the head of training, 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 visiting learning sessions, 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

Anita Pyrkotsch-Jones, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Elaine Price Ofsted Inspector 20 to 22 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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