Blue Screen IT Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of Blue Screen IT Limited (trading as BIT Training)

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Adult learning programmes Good Apprenticeships Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Information about this provider

Blue Screen IT Limited is an independent learning provider based in Plymouth. It trades as BIT Training (BIT) and specialises in IT and cyber security training. BIT has provided training to adults on skills bootcamp courses since April 2021 and training to apprentices since April 2022. All training takes place online.

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Information about this provider

At the time of inspection, nine apprentices were studying a cyber security technologist qualification at level 4, eight apprentices were studying information communications technician at level 3 and one was studying cyber security technician at level 3. Apprentices work for employers located across the UK. All apprentices were over the age of 18 years.

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Information about this provider

BIT provides skills bootcamp courses for 88 adults. Around half of the adults were studying IT readiness, and half were studying cyber resilience courses. Adults live in Devon or Cornwall. BIT subcontracts part of the skills bootcamp courses to two training organisations. 11 to 13 June 2024

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

Adults and apprentices enjoy learning in a respectful and safe online learning environment. BIT trainers model positive attitudes, which adults and apprentices mirror. Most apprentices and adults have high rates of attendance at online learning sessions. Trainers know their adults and apprentices well. If adults are at risk of falling behind in their studies, trainers provide useful support outside of their planned online learning sessions which helps them catch up. For example, trainers ensure that adults view recordings of online learning sessions if they have been absent.

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

Adults and apprentices are supported well by subject specialist trainers and subcontractor staff to develop the expertise and confidence they need to be successful in their careers. Apprentices quickly become effective and valued employees. Skills bootcamp trainers use carefully designed online learning activities to help adults build their knowledge and learn about their next steps. For example, adults studying skills bootcamp courses are guided by their trainers to apply for job roles that match their skills and experience.

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

Leaders and managers have formed close links with employers to help inform the training programmes they provide. Adults and apprentices learn up-to-date knowledge and skills that enable them to perform their job roles effectively.

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better?

Leaders and managers respond quickly and positively to employers’ requests to add elements of specialist training to the courses offered. This ensures that apprenticeships and skills bootcamp courses meet their defined skills needs in IT and cyber security .

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better?

Trainers have constructed the curriculums so that adults and apprentices build new knowledge and skills progressively. Trainers provide a very small number of adults and apprentices with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) with effective support. For example, apprentices with SEND are provided with transcription software and one-to-one support. Adults and apprentices with SEND achieve their qualifications in line with their peers. Most learning activities encourage adults and apprentices to reflect on their own experiences and apply new knowledge, skills and behaviour effectively. Trainers set high standards, which motivates adults and apprentices to produce high-quality work.

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better?

Trainers are specialists in their subjects and almost all have teaching qualifications. Trainers put the theoretical content they teach into context so that adults and apprentices apply it practically in their workplaces. Employers value and are confident that their apprentices develop and apply the IT or cyber security knowledge and skills they need. For example, apprentices studying the level 4 cyber security technologist qualification learn how to build security systems and apply the new knowledge and skills effectively in their workplaces. 11 to 13 June 2024

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BIT managers and employer workplace mentors work well together to make sure apprentices receive high-quality on- and off-the-job training they are entitled to. They meet with apprentices frequently to plan training that meets their needs and to set helpful new targets. Apprentices shadow and reflect on the work-related tasks performed by other employees to build on their knowledge and learn from new experiences.

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Leaders and managers have implemented new arrangements designed to help more apprentices to complete their qualification by their planned end date. They now monitor apprentices’ readiness for their final assessments more closely. When needed, apprentices receive helpful guidance from trainers so that they know what they need to do to improve their work and achieve a merit grade. Most apprentices are now making the expected progress in their learning within the planned timescale. However, it is too soon to see the full impact.

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Leaders and managers have implemented useful actions to increase the number of adults studying skills bootcamps who either move into employment or gain a promotion. For example, they have moved the teaching of employability skills to an earlier point in the course so that adults identify and plan for their future job roles earlier. Trainers use information about their adults’ prior knowledge and skills effectively to help guide them towards future employment opportunities. However, it is too early to see the full impact of these actions.

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Leaders and managers have not provided trainers with sufficient professional development opportunities to help continually improve the quality of teaching online. For example, trainers do not always ensure that adults and apprentices have gained a sufficient understanding of new content before moving on to the next topic. This means that adults and apprentices do not always remember everything they have been taught.

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Leaders and managers ensure that adults studying skills bootcamp courses study a well-designed personal development programme that meets their specific needs. For example, adults learn how to identify threats related to cyber terrorism and have a good understanding of how fundamental British values relate to their everyday lives. Adults develop the new knowledge and skills they need to become more employable in an IT or cyber security-related job role. For example, they learn how to tailor their CV to make it noticeable and practise effective interview techniques. However, apprentices do not study a similarly broad and well-sequenced personal development curriculum. For example, a few apprentices do not learn about the wide range of training and career options available to them early enough to inform their decision-making.

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Governance arrangements are effective. BIT Group senior staff are experienced in providing training courses and have specialist IT and cyber security knowledge. They have a good understanding of the quality of the apprenticeships and skills bootcamp courses. This is because they meet with leaders and managers frequently and challenge and support their work to improve the quality of the provision. 11 to 13 June 2024

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Provide trainers with training to develop further their teaching skills.  Ensure that apprentices study a carefully sequenced, high-quality, personal development curriculum that includes timely career information and advice. 11 to 13 June 2024

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Provider details

Address Plymouth Science Park 1 Davy Rd Unit 201c,Phase 2 Plymouth PL6 8BX

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Michael Dieroff

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Provider details

Provider type Independent training provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Main subcontractors

Cornwall Marine Network Phoenix Sports and Media Group 11 to 13 June 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the director of apprenticeships, 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 adults’ work, seeking the views of adults, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider’s documentation and records.

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Inspection team

Matt Hann, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Steve Battersby His Majesty’s Inspector Pino Butler Ofsted Inspector 11 to 13 June 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 adults 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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