CNet Training Limited

CNet Training Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Chris Bealey, Ofsted Inspector

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Inspection dates: 27 and 28 February 2024

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Unit 7-10 Park Farm Business Centre Fornham Park Fornham St. Genevieve Bury St. Edmunds IP28 6TS Monitoring visit: CNet Training Limited, 27 and 28 February 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

CNet Training Limited is an independent learning provider based in Bury St Edmunds. CNet Training secured funding to provide training to apprentices in June 2022. The provider has been training apprentices since December 2022. At the time of the monitoring visit, 56 apprentices were studying on the level 3 network cable installer apprenticeship. Twenty apprentices were under the age of 19. Apprentices work with employers nationwide.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear and purposeful vision for their apprenticeships. Leaders have responded effectively to the national shortage of data infrastructure engineers. They have extensive knowledge of, and experience in, their sector. Consequently, leaders have matched apprenticeships effectively with sector requirements.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have very good relationships with their employers. They have taken time to ensure that employers have a better understanding of the requirements of apprenticeship programmes. As a result, apprentices have the dedicated time they need to develop and apply their new knowledge and skills when at work.

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Reasonable progress

Instructors are highly knowledgeable and experienced. Leaders ensure that new instructors benefit from a comprehensive training programme. New instructors develop a detailed understanding of their courses before teaching alongside an experienced instructor. New instructors teach their courses with continuous support, regular observation, and feedback from the technical development team. As a result, new instructors become confident in managing groups and developing more active use of testing equipment in theory sessions. Monitoring visit: CNet Training Limited, 27 and 28 February 2024 Leaders have invested in creating bespoke, high-quality online learning materials. Apprentices and employers make good use of these materials to ensure apprentices can learn key knowledge and skills in readiness for their off-the-job training.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders do not prepare apprentices for their final assessments effectively. Too little consideration has been given within the curriculum to the different elements of final assessments. As a result, apprentices do not have sufficient understanding of what they need to do to achieve merit grades.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a good understanding of the strengths and areas for improvement of their curriculum. However, they have not implemented changes swiftly enough to make rapid improvement where it is needed. Leaders have not provided effective support for the small number of apprentices with learning needs. This is now being actioned, but it is too early to judge the impact of these changes.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices make good progress in developing the technical knowledge, skills and behaviours required to work in their sector. They know how to use specialised testing equipment to ensure that cable installations meet industry standards. They can identify excessive data loss in faulty cable installations. Apprentices learn additional practical skills, such as bending and forming connections and cable trays for a range of installations. As a result, apprentices quickly become valued members of their work teams.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers carry out a thorough assessment of apprentices’ prior learning and experience. Most apprentices have little or no experience of the sector before starting their programme. Apprentices with previous experience in areas such as copper cable installation are supported effectively to progress more rapidly through their apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have taken great care to ensure that learning is logically sequenced. Apprentices learn to install copper cable before applying their skills and knowledge to the more complex area of installing fibre cable networks. Managers have planned learning skilfully to ensure that there are frequent checks of learning through projects, quizzes, and practical tasks. Consequently, apprentices remember what they have learned.

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Reasonable progress

Instructors use their technical knowledge and practical experience to give apprentices detailed demonstrations in stripping and cleaving fibre cable effectively. Apprentices value their new skills and apply these successfully in their workplaces. Monitoring visit: CNet Training Limited, 27 and 28 February 2024 Apprentices continue to develop their skills in English and mathematics through tasks relevant to the sector. This includes calculating and costing cabling lengths for a network that connects several buildings.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have not ensured that apprentices make sufficient progress towards completing their English and mathematics qualifications. Apprentices are left to complete their learning independently through unengaging learning resources. Consequently, a few apprentices will not complete this part of their apprenticeships in a timely manner.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have established appropriate arrangements to help keep apprentices safe. Apprentices stay in safe accommodation when they attend their week-long training sessions. Apprentices know how to report their concerns and are confident that their concerns will be dealt with swiftly by staff. Staff responsible for safeguarding are experienced and well qualified.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices know how to stay safe at work and how to keep others safe. Apprentices do not undertake work until a risk assessment has been carried out. Apprentices know how to protect themselves from the risks of loose fibre shards caused when cutting fibre optic cables. Monitoring visit: CNet Training Limited, 27 and 28 February 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 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

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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

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