Hughes Driver Training Limited

Hughes Driver Training Monitoring visit report

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

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: 284 Gipsy Lane Leicester LE4 9BX Monitoring visit: Hughes Driver Training, 6 and 7 March 2024

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Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of adult learning provision where the provision offered is in scope for inspection. 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

Hughes Driver Training limited is a national independent training provider, based in Leicestershire, with learners across England. It is funded to teach Skills Bootcamps in heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driver training, with its first cohort starting in February 2024. At the time of inspection, there were 79 adult learners studying a 16-week Skills Bootcamp for HGV drivers.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clearly defined purpose for their Skills Bootcamp, which is to prepare learners for a career in the logistics and transport industry. They rightly recognise the national skills shortage for qualified HGV drivers. As a result, they have developed a valuable Skills Bootcamp, that takes into account the needs of learners and employers, and the requirements of the national economy.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders work with stakeholders and specialist sector groups well. They understand the knowledge, skills, and behaviours that employers value and include these in their curriculum. As a result, learners receive training that is current and relevant to the sector.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have been proactive in working with a range of appropriate employers to ensure progression routes for learners. Managers work extensively to map opportunities for all learners, based on their locality. They have already secured interviews for almost half of their learners during the early stages of their course. As a result, leaders provide extensive opportunities for learners to gain employment as HGV drivers.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have designed a comprehensive personal development curriculum, to supplement learners’ skills, and support work readiness. However, as these sessions have not yet taken place, it is too early to judge the impact of these activities. Monitoring visit: Hughes Driver Training, 6 and 7 March 2024 Leaders have an accurate understanding of their current provision and correctly identify areas for improvement. They have recently implemented a range of appropriate procedures to monitor and improve the quality of training. While there are early signs of positive impact, it is too soon to judge the full effectiveness of these arrangements.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have developed an appropriate curriculum that is logically sequenced. They have planned topics thoughtfully. Learners develop a secure understanding of the transport industry, and comprehensive theoretical driving knowledge, before moving on to developing their practical driving skills.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have planned an extensive curriculum, which includes topics over and above those required to become an HGV driver. They work closely with stakeholders to include ‘hot topics’ and current themes in the curriculum. For example, completing vehicle walk-around checks, reasons for the rise in bridge strikes, the use of tachographs and drivers’ health and well-being. Learners are well informed about current topics and develop extensive new knowledge.

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Reasonable progress

Learners benefit from comprehensive online resources to supplement their learning. For example, learners have access to a bank of unit assessments, and mock tests, that allow them to recap and practise what they learn. Leaders acknowledge that they could use this information better to inform future teaching.

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Reasonable progress

Skills trainers are experienced HGV drivers and have extensive knowledge and experience of the sector. They use this experience to explain complex information well, and make clear links between learning and work. For example, trainers explain the importance of completing vehicle checks thoroughly, and the regulatory consequences to drivers and employers if vehicle checks are not done. Learners have a good understanding of how theoretical topics apply to them as drivers and the impact they have on employers.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have developed a purpose-built driving academy that provides learners with frequent opportunities to develop their driving skills. Learners benefit from extensive practical resources, such as access to a large fleet of HGVs, and a high-quality simulation suite. This ensures learners develop their skills, competence and confidence in a low risk and safe environment.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders, managers, and skills trainers have high expectations of learners. They continually reinforce positive behaviours, such as professionalism, attendance, Monitoring visit: Hughes Driver Training, 6 and 7 March 2024 punctuality, communication, and respect. Learners are polite and respectful, and develop work-ready behaviours.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have suitable policies and procedures in place, which are appropriate for the adult learners they work with. The designated safeguarding lead and deputies are suitably qualified. All staff undertake relevant training to ensure that they can recognise and report incidents if they occur.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have an appropriate ‘Prevent’ duty risk assessment in place. They are aware of their duties to ensure the safety of learners. However, leaders acknowledge that this does not yet consider localised risks, covering the range of areas where learners live.

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Reasonable progress

Learners benefit from weekly discussions about safeguarding. Processes and procedures for reporting safeguarding incidents are discussed in all lessons. Learners are well informed about safeguarding, and know who to report concerns to, should they arise. Monitoring visit: Hughes Driver Training, 6 and 7 March 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

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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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