3D 360 Limited

Name of lead inspector: Kim Bleasdale, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Da Vinci House 128A Bradshawgate Leigh WN7 4NP Monitoring visit: 3D 360 Limited, 10 and 11 April 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

3D 360 Limited is an independent learning provider based in Leigh, Lancashire. It provides Skills Bootcamp training courses for adults in the Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria, Greater Manchester and Lancashire regions. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were 40 learners studying Skills Bootcamp courses in 3D printing, 3D computer-aided design and digital manufacturing.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders are engineers with extensive experience of advanced manufacturing in the nuclear and automotive industries. They know what the specific skills shortages are for the sector. Leaders work closely with various employers such as Bentley, Rolls Royce and Sellafield to design an up-to-date and appropriate curriculum. Most learners gain the relevant knowledge and skills required to meet industry needs.

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Reasonable progress

Learners achieve a non-accredited qualification at the end of their course. This consists of seven modules relating to 3D printing, 3D computer-aided design and digital manufacturing. Leaders are working with an awarding organisation to validate this as an accredited qualification linked to the advanced manufacturing sector.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders remove a barrier to learning by providing every learner with their own 3D printer to keep. This enables learners to use the printer throughout their course and to continue to develop their industry-standard 3D printing skills after they have completed their course.

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Reasonable progress

Approximately one-third of current learners are unemployed. Leaders and trainers provide workshops to help learners write a CV, practise interview techniques and search for jobs. This helps these learners to move closer to their employment goals.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have in place effective quality assurance and improvement processes. They observe trainers teaching and check the quality of trainers’ feedback to learners. This Monitoring visit: 3D 360 Limited, 10 and 11 April 2024 enables managers to have an accurate understanding of the standard of training that learners receive.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have an accurate oversight of the progress that learners make towards the completion of their course modules. They meet regularly with trainers to discuss learners’ progress. Most learners make the progress expected of them.

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Reasonable progress

Directors are currently forming a new board with external partners. These partners will provide the necessary scrutiny and challenge and hold leaders to account for the quality of training that learners receive.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and trainers have designed stand-alone learning modules that can be completed in any order that meets learners’ individual needs prior to the final practical assessment. Learners learn about robotics, electric vehicles, cyber-security, and virtual reality. They apply all their learning at the end of the course to build, calibrate and maintain a 3D printer. Most learners achieve their qualification and move closer to their goals of improving their career prospects and lives.

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Reasonable progress

Learners receive useful training from trainers who have the appropriate experience and qualifications to teach their subjects. Trainers routinely update their subject knowledge by attending advanced manufacturing trade shows and electric vehicle commissioning and operation workshops for different brands of printers. This enables trainers to teach learners the most up-to-date and relevant industry knowledge.

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Reasonable progress

Most learners make good progress and complete their course on time. Trainers accurately record learners’ progress towards the completion of their learning modules. However, a few have fallen behind. Trainers help them to catch up by providing additional one-to-one coaching sessions.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers use assessment well. They routinely check what learners remember. Trainers adapt their teaching to recap topics before moving on. They use a range of appropriate assessment tools such as quizzes, class discussions and end-of-module assessments. This enables learners to retain and recall the information they learn. For example, learners knowledgeably explain how ethical and malicious cyber hackers positively and negatively affect organisations.

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Reasonable progress

Learners develop secure knowledge and skills because of their course. They confidently explain how additive manufacturing processes enable them to shape a polymer. Learners talk enthusiastically about how 3D printing is a low-cost solution to producing bespoke or obsolete parts that may otherwise be very expensive or Monitoring visit: 3D 360 Limited, 10 and 11 April 2024 impossible to source. Learners are clearly retaining information in their long-term memories.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders are dedicated to keeping learners safe. They ensure that all members of the safeguarding team have appropriate training. All staff receive training on safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty. A few staff are mental health first aiders.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders complete a range of effective checks when appointing new staff to make sure they are suitable to work with learners. They have beneficial partnerships with external agencies such as the Manchester Safeguarding Partnership and local authorities.

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Reasonable progress

Learners feel well supported by their trainers. They feel safe and know who they can go to if they want to discuss any concerns they have about themselves or others. Monitoring visit: 3D 360 Limited, 10 and 11 April 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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