Staffordshire Training Services Limited

Staffordshire Training Services Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Helen Morgan, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Unit 6 Leons Way Tollgate Drive Tollgate Industrial Estate Stafford ST16 3HS Monitoring visit: Staffordshire Training Services Limited, 13 and 14 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

Staffordshire Training Services Ltd is an independent learning provider based in Stafford, Staffordshire. They specialise in plumbing, gas and green heating technologies. Since 2023, they have taught Skills Bootcamps training, funded by Cheshire East Council, to learners based in Cheshire and Warrington.

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Context and focus of visit

At the time of the visit, there were fewer than five learners currently in training. Twelve learners had recently completed their qualification. All learners are aged over 19. Learners study air source heat pumps and low temperature design. This includes industry qualifications in water regulations and hot water, low temperature heating and hot water systems in dwellings and a level 3 award in the installation and maintenance of air source heat pump systems.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear rationale for the Skills Bootcamp they offer. They have selected a course that meets the skills shortage needs both locally and nationally. The curriculum aims to upskill existing practitioners to be able to install low carbon heat sources as part of the national strategy to reduce energy consumption. Leaders work with employers, manufacturers and local businesses to ensure that they are up to date with skills needs and emerging technologies and embed these within the curriculum.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have established quality processes, linked to the awarding organisation requirements. This includes observations of teaching and learning, standardisation of assessment and monitoring of staff training. Leaders identify areas for improvement, set actions and monitor, through regular meetings, the progress towards completing these actions. Leaders understand the strengths and weaknesses of their curriculum.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have ensured that trainers have up-to-date technical qualifications and vocational skills. Trainers undertake regular continuing professional development with industry specialists to ensure that their knowledge is current. Trainers and Monitoring visit: Staffordshire Training Services Limited, 13 and 14 March 2024 industry specialists share good practice in delivering curriculum content. However, there is not yet enough focus on the development of broader teaching and support strategies.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have extensive experience in the plumbing and heating industry, as fitters, assessors and trainers. They use their network of employers to identify the need for additional training in areas such as water regulations to ensure that learners have up-to-date knowledge, before progressing on to the installation of air source heat pump systems. As a result, trainers quickly teach the skills needed to rectify previous gaps in knowledge before complex new training begins.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have recently involved experienced advisers to help develop the business and identify areas for development. However, it is too soon to see the impact of this advice. While there are plans in place for the creation of governance oversight, this is not yet in place. Leaders have not yet fully developed the structures needed to ensure a robust quality process with external oversight and scrutiny which supports plans for business and learner growth.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have ensured that the curriculum upskills learners to work with heat pump technology in the heating industry. They have designed the curriculum delivery to be flexible, allowing learners to access modules at different times, for example teaching learners the skills for installing heat pumps before moving on to other topics if they need this skill more quickly. Learners appreciate the flexibility around their work commitments.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers provide learners with relevant and industry-current training. They use practical activities, discussion and targeted questioning to identify misconceptions. Trainers check learners’ progress and understanding frequently. Most learners successfully pass their industry exams during their studies.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers link learning to assessment while developing learners’ broader understanding of the sector. Learners discuss the risks of incorrect temperature settings and how to manage customer expectations. As a result, learners can link theory and practice, which helps them to commit their learning to their long-term memory.

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Reasonable progress

Learners use their new knowledge to gain new roles or widen the scope of the services they offer. They recognise the value of their qualification in their careers and in supporting customers to become ‘future-proof’ when advising on current and future installations. Monitoring visit: Staffordshire Training Services Limited, 13 and 14 March 2024 Leaders have invested heavily in developing teaching facilities. Learners have access to the latest industry equipment to practise their installation skills. They are rapidly able to use their skills within the workplace.

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Reasonable progress

Most learners develop their English and mathematics skills relevant to their studies, such as product-specific terminology, volume and pipe sizing. As a result, they can better support customers and employees in understanding the value of air source heating. However, this is not systematically planned. Not all learners improve their English and mathematics skills as part of their course.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have ensured that there is a designated safeguarding lead (DSL). The DSL has developed clear safeguarding policies and procedures for the recording and referral of safeguarding cases and safer recruitment of staff. They ensure that staff undertake regular safeguarding training and understand their responsibilities in safeguarding learners.

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Reasonable progress

The DSL has links with local constabulary to understand specific local risks. However, they do not yet have links to the external agencies where learners live and work. As a result, staff and learners do not have a broad enough understanding of their own local risks.

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Reasonable progress

Learners feel safe and understand how to report any concerns if necessary. Monitoring visit: Staffordshire Training Services Limited, 13 and 14 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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