Jet2.com Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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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 Requires improvement

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Information about this provider

Jet2.com Limited is part of Jet2 PLC. It provides training for apprentices to become aviation engineers. Most of the apprenticeship training is based at the Manchester Airport maintenance facility. At the time of the visit, there were 18 apprentices following a level 3 engineering technician aircraft maintenance fitter/technician (fixed and rotary wing) apprenticeship. The provider does not subcontract any of its provision. 19 to 21 March 2024

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

Apprentices are motivated and dedicated to their learning. Leaders use a rigorous recruitment and selection process to recruit apprentices who are committed to their learning. They help apprentices to understand that they need to work hard to achieve their apprenticeship and to forge rewarding careers in the aviation sector.

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

Apprentices develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours that they need to be successful in the aviation engineering and maintenance industry. They work on live aircraft to conduct repairs and overhaul maintenance activities. Apprentices use techniques such as drilling and flanging lightening holes to reduce the weight of an aircraft while retaining its strength. They understand the importance of maintaining high professional standards in the safety-critical aviation sector.

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

Apprentices are well prepared for, and enthusiastic about, their next steps. They benefit from structured work rotations to experience different roles in the organisation. Apprentices work on wings, engines, cabins and line maintenance. Leaders and instructors help them to understand the future career opportunities available to them, such as supervisory and leadership roles. Apprentices that achieve their apprenticeship are supported by leaders to attain licences that qualify them to plan and carry out maintenance checks on aircraft. This helps apprentices to achieve promotion and progress their careers swiftly.

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

Apprentices benefit from a positive and respectful training culture. Leaders and instructors create opportunities for apprentices to work with their peers and as part of repair and maintenance crews. This helps apprentices to develop confidence and professionalism in their interactions with others. Instructors use weekly reports to identify the rare occasions where apprentices do not adhere to professional standards. Leaders and instructors take swift action to ensure apprentices rectify their behaviour. Apprentices appreciate the productive and harmonious relationships they have with their peers and instructors.

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

Apprentices value their instructors’ expertise. Instructors use their industry experience to help apprentices understand the importance of their roles and the need for precision. They help apprentices to practise and refine their work. Apprentices develop the resilience they need to persevere when they find tasks challenging. Apprentices take pride in their work and they enjoy their learning.

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

Apprentices feel safe. They adhere to safe working practices in workshops and in the hangar. Apprentices understand that their safety and that of their passengers is paramount.

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better?

Leaders have designed an ambitious engineering curriculum to meet the needs of apprentices and their needs as an employer provider. Leaders are acutely aware of 19 to 21 March 2024

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the skills shortage of engineering maintenance mechanics in the aviation industry. They offer the apprenticeship to respond to this deficit and to plan succession in the organisation.

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Instructors teach apprentices the importance of mastering their craft. Apprentices are helped to practise their hand skills before they use power tools. Leaders and instructors sequence the curriculum so that apprentices first learn the key principles that underpin their work. They are taught about aircraft maintenance before moving on to practical tasks, such as line maintenance and avionics. This helps apprentices to link theory to their practical work on live aircraft.

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A new leadership team has responded to the areas for improvement identified at the previous inspection. Leaders ensure that the quality of training that apprentices receive is of a sufficiently high standard.

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Leaders and instructors help apprentices to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours that they need for demanding careers in engineering. They expect apprentices to work hard, be professional and self-disciplined. Leaders and instructors set clear expectations for apprentices’ conduct during recruitment and induction. They take decisive action if apprentices do not meet the standards of behaviour required.

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Leaders and instructors organise apprentices’ time in workshops to help them to hone their skills. Apprentices practise lap joints, use different types of fasteners and complete leading edge repairs on wings. They complete tasks that build in complexity and that require them to work to high tolerances. Apprentices are well prepared for the next stage of their apprenticeship in the hangar.

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Leaders and instructors ensure that apprentices have optimum opportunities to work on live aircraft. They work as members of crew teams in hangars to repair and maintain operational aircraft. Apprentices produce work of a good standard that adhere to the strict standards required in the industry.

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Instructors provide apprentices with constructive feedback on their practical work. Apprentices use the feedback they receive to improve their fuselage repairs in practice simulations. They are helped to refine the practical fabrication skills that they will need at work. However, instructors do not ensure that apprentices can recall and use feedback to improve their theoretical work. The quality of feedback that apprentices receive is inconsistent.

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Apprentices participate in external visits to air force bases and museums. They learn about the history and the importance of aircraft during periods of conflict. Apprentices learn more about structural repair, air conditioning and hydraulic systems. While apprentices have some opportunities to develop their wider interests, leaders are aware that these could be more extensive and planned systematically.

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Leaders have overhauled how they give apprentices information about their potential next steps. Apprentices attend careers days with guest speakers from 19 to 21 March 2024

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across the organisation. They are supported to achieve licences to work on airframe structures or avionics. Leaders have developed a business secondment scheme to inform apprentices about opportunities beyond engineering. Apprentices understand wider options available to them after they complete the apprenticeship.

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Leaders and those responsible for governance have expertise in aviation and related industries. They have focused on responding to key deficiencies in provision. Leaders have begun to formalise processes to help them to identify and monitor areas for improvement. However, quality processes are not yet fully established. Some areas for improvement such as the use of feedback, while improving, remain inconsistent.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Plan for apprentices to develop their wider interests.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Improve leaders’ use of quality processes to ensure that improvements are responded to swiftly.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Rectify inconsistencies in feedback so that apprentices can improve their theoretical work. 19 to 21 March 2024

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Provider details

Address Hangar 5 Western Maintenance Area Manchester Airport Manchester M90 5AE

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Christopher Hubbard

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 10 to 12 November 2021

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Provider details

Main subcontractors None 19 to 21 March 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the engineering training and development manager, 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

Zoe Ibbotson, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Bob Busby Ofsted Inspector Helen Whelan His Majesty’s Inspector 19 to 21 March 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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