Anglo American Technical and Sustainability Services Ltd

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of Anglo American Technical and Sustainability Services Limited

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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Information about this provider

Anglo American Technical and Sustainabilty Services Limited is a global mining company, which has large cyber security team to protect its operations and systems. Since 2021, leaders have provided level 4 cyber security technologist apprenticeships as an employer-provider based at their premises in Scarborough. At the time of the inspection, there were 13 apprentices. 9 to 11 July 2024

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

Apprentices flourish during their two years of training. They begin their apprenticeship with no prior qualifications or experience in the sector and are empowered to develop as skilled cyber security professionals. Apprentices enjoy studying a broad and ambitious curriculum, which enables them to explore different specialisms and discover their talents and prepares them very well for their future careers in cyber security.

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

During their programme, apprentices benefit from a wide range of opportunities that enhance their learning and experiences. These include having the opportunity to work with a mentor from their global organisation and hearing from expert guest speakers on a wide range of relevant topics. Apprentices value in particular their visits to the nearby Woodsmith Mine, which help them to visualise the lives of the people working underground who they are protecting through their roles.

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

Apprentices are highly motivated, living up to the demanding expectations of their roles and leaders’ belief in them to succeed. They frequently work beyond the requirements or their apprenticeship through, for example, carrying out additional research and reading. They seize opportunities to work in different teams, such as those examining the human behaviour factor involved in cyber threats, and frequently join additional well-being sessions on topics, such as managing stress and a ‘sleep masterclass’.

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

Apprentices grow significantly in confidence and character during their programmes. They quickly engage in live work in their teams, beginning with responding to potential phishing emails. They progress from following complex security procedures accurately to deepening their understanding of these procedures and developing the confidence and knowledge to make suggestions of improvements or new ways of working. Apprentices quickly become highly valued and respected members of their teams.

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better?

Leaders have a highly ambitious vision for the apprenticeship provision, which is rooted in strong shared values in the organisation. They respond successfully to the national skills need for cyber security experts. Senior and executive leaders greatly value the role of the apprenticeship provision in developing new talent and they give their time to be mentors, join teaching sessions as subject-matter experts and sit on the boards of governance.

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better?

Leaders build strong relationships with their stakeholders in the local community. Using these, they develop opportunities for apprentices to enhance their experiences, such as working with students on similar degree-level subjects at a university. Apprentices are involved in the annual Science and Engineering Week in Scarborough for young people and speak about their experience as cyber security apprentices to students in local schools and colleges. 9 to 11 July 2024

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Leaders inspire a culture of continuous improvement, based on accurate and efficient quality procedures. They listen carefully to feedback from staff and apprentices and actively look for aspects of their provision that they can improve. For example, a line manager suggested including project management in the apprenticeship, which leaders quickly implemented.

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Leaders have established valuable and effective governance through the creation of boards of senior leaders from teams across the wider organisation. Those involved in governance bring expertise and ask perceptive and pertinent questions. Leaders of the programme appreciate the opportunity to work with senior leaders in the organisation to reflect on the programme and identify more ways to improve.

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Tutors plan the curriculum very carefully so that apprentices build a secure knowledge and understanding of cyber security. They start with fundamental concepts, such as ethics and policy, and then build on these to enable apprentices to understand risks and threats. Apprentices use this learning later in the programme to write risk treatment plans and carry out penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities in systems.

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Expert tutors keep their subject knowledge up to date through frequent training from industry specialists. In addition, they complete training in the craft of teaching to enhance their pedagogical skills and increase their understanding of a range of relevant topics, such as managing neurodiversity.

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Tutors use a range of teaching strategies skilfully to deepen and consolidate apprentices’ learning. They ensure that apprentices can remember what they are taught and apply it to their work seamlessly. Apprentices make rapid progress from their starting points and develop substantial new and highly relevant knowledge, skills and behaviours.

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Tutors use assessment highly effectively. They check understanding frequently by asking demanding questions and accurately identify and respond to knowledge gaps. Tutors create meaningful practical activities through which they can assess how well apprentices can apply their understanding to practical work. Apprentices welcome the very helpful feedback that they receive, which they use to make improvements and produce work of a very high standard.

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Tutors support apprentices particularly effectively to enhance their skills in English and mathematics. Apprentices improve their statistical analysis and numerical skills, such as converting hexadecimals into binary numbers. They develop their writing skills to a point where they can provide clear and succinct threat analysis and treatment plans as part of their job roles.

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Apprentices are prepared very well for their end-point assessments. They value the individual support that they receive, mock knowledge tests and the opportunities that they have to practise for their end-point assessments. All apprentices stay on 9 to 11 July 2024

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their programmes and the small number of apprentices who have reached the end of their programme so far have achieved very well in their final assessment tasks.

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Tutors provide a wide range of relevant and impartial careers guidance. They involve experts from across the organisation and other stakeholders, such as GCHQ, to widen apprentices’ knowledge of what roles they could aspire to on completion of their apprenticeship. Apprentices seeking new roles have secured positions within the organisation or with other large organisations that employ cyber security experts.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. 9 to 11 July 2024

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Provider details

Address Resolution House Lake View Scarborough North Yorkshire YO11 3ZB

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Duncan Wanblad

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected 9 to 11 July 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the apprenticeship delivery specialist, as nominee. Inspectors took account of the provider’s previous new provider monitoring visit 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 apprentices’ work, seeking the views of apprentices, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider’s documentation and records.

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Inspection team

Karen Anderson, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Andrea Shepherd His Majesty’s Inspector 9 to 11 July 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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