CQM Training And Consultancy Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

p.1

Inspection of CQM Training And Consultancy Limited

p.1

Inspection dates: 20 to 23 February 2024

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Apprenticeships Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

Information about this provider

CQM Training & Consultancy Ltd (CQM) is an independent learning provider with its head office based in Chesterfield. Most apprentices are employed with medium to large employers throughout England. CQM teaches most apprentices online or at their employer’s sites.

p.1

Information about this provider

At the time of the inspection, there were 350 apprentices. All apprentices are adults. Leaders mainly offer a broad range of continuous improvement apprenticeships from level 2 to level 6. The majority of apprentices study the level 4 improvement practitioner and level 3 food technologist apprenticeship standards. There are no apprentices in receipt of high-needs funding. The provider does not work with any subcontractors. 20 to 23 February 2024

p.1

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

Apprentices, who remain in learning, attend their lessons well. They are professional and are keen to complete their apprenticeship and achieve high grades.

p.2

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

Most apprentices are satisfied with the support and training they receive. They value the supportive and safe learning environment created by staff. This makes them keen to do their best and actively take part in learning activities provided by staff.

p.2

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

Apprentices are safe at work and understand the importance of health and safety regulations in the high-risk environments in which they work. For example, food technologist apprentices are very aware of the food safety risks and hazards that can affect them at work. They wear appropriate personal protective equipment and can confidently complete risk assessments to keep themselves and their colleagues safe at work.

p.2

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

Apprentices value the supportive culture created by staff. They appreciate the regular access they have to staff who provide one-to-one support and swift help with their studies when they need it.

p.2

better?

Too many apprentices withdraw from their course, and managers are not always clear about the reasons for this. As a result their actions have not yet resulted in any substantial improvement in the retention and achievement of apprentices. The majority of apprentices who remain in learning successfully achieve their apprenticeship, and around half achieve distinction grades.

p.2

better?

The improvement activities leaders and managers have implemented to improve the quality of training apprentices receive are not yet effective. They have not yet analysed and used information from their observations to provide appropriate staff training. This means inconsistent teaching of English and mathematics, for example, remains a weakness.

p.2

better?

The planning and teaching of English and mathematics are not yet good. Staff do not ensure that apprentices receive timely support. Apprentices do not develop the English and mathematics skills they need for their next steps and too many do not achieve their qualifications.

p.2

better?

Leaders ensure that staff are suitably qualified and experienced to teach the curriculum. However, staff do not benefit from enough training to improve their teaching skills, including teaching online. Leaders are aware of this and have suitable plans in place to implement appropriate training. It is too early to see the impact of these actions.

p.2

better?

Most apprentices produce written work to a good standard. They link their written work to the improvement activities and projects they complete in their workplace. 20 to 23 February 2024

p.2

3

Leaders and managers do not ensure that apprentices receive high-quality, impartial careers advice and guidance. Too few apprentices are clear on the range of wider opportunities available to them on completion of their course.

p.3

3

Leaders do not develop apprentices’ wider interests and talents sufficiently. Leaders do not provide appropriate support and guidance to help apprentices maintain their physical health and well-being. They do not, for example, know how to develop good sleep patterns after night shifts in order to stay healthy.

p.3

3

Apprentices do not understand fundamental British values sufficiently well. Staff introduce British values during apprentices’ induction but do not consistently discuss this in reviews or lessons. As a result, too many apprentices do not understand how this applies to their daily roles at work.

p.3

3

Leaders and managers are considerate of staff workload and well-being. They ensure that staff are given appropriate caseloads and meet frequently with them to provide good support. They provide flexibility for staff to work from home where appropriate. As a result, staff feel valued and supported.

p.3

3

Governors are well-qualified and experienced, but the targets set by governors are not yet robust enough to drive rapid improvement in the retention and achievement of apprentices.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Improve oversight and accuracy of key management information.  Ensure staff plan and teach English and mathematics well on their courses.  Improve careers guidance to include advice about future career options.  Implement an appropriately planned personal development curriculum. 20 to 23 February 2024

p.3

Provider details

Address Unit 6 Dunston Innovation Centre Dunston Road Chesterfield S41 8NG

p.4

Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Andy Cheshire

p.4

Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

p.4

Provider details

Date of previous inspection 17 to 20 September 2019

p.4

Provider details

Main subcontractors None 20 to 23 February 2024

p.4

Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the Quality and Compliance 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.

p.5

Inspection team

Michael Worgs, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Saher Nijabat His Majesty’s Inspector Abdul Miah Ofsted Inspector Alison Whatsize Ofsted Inspector Ann Minton Ofsted Inspector Mark Care Ofsted Inspector 20 to 23 February 2024

p.5

6

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.

p.6

6

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 .

p.6

6

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

6

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

6

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

p.6