Keibra Ltd

Name of lead inspector: Helen Whelan, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Shaw Business Centre 84 Beal Lane Oldham Manchester OL2 8PH Monitoring visit: Keibra Ltd, 10 and 11 July 2024

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Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of apprenticeship training provision funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency and/or the apprenticeship levy. 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

Keibra Ltd has been a registered apprenticeship training provider since March 2023 and began training apprentices in May 2023. At the time of the monitoring visit, the provider had fewer than five apprentices enrolled across three apprenticeships: level 3 cyber security technician, level 3 software development technician and level 4 network engineer. All apprentices are aged 18 and above.

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Context and focus of visit

The company is managed by two directors, who also teach the apprentices. Directors employ some of the apprentices in their own business, others are based at another local employer.

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Significant progress

Directors have designed innovative and ambitious curriculums for apprentices. They ensure that apprentices develop the substantial knowledge, skills and behaviours that they need to work successfully in the information technology (IT) sector. Apprentices and employers benefit from tailored training plans which closely meet their needs. Through their work with the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, directors understand the requirements of the local and regional economy. They recognise the significant IT skills gaps, with currently around 70,000 IT-related vacancies in Greater Manchester. Directors identify the extensive opportunities available for apprentices and prepare them well for a rewarding career in the IT sector. Directors work closely with employers to design curriculums. Training takes place at employers’ premises, so that directors can readily connect apprentices’ learning to their work and the needs of their business. Directors devise curriculums around case

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Significant progress

studies taken directly from apprentices’ job roles so that they are based on authentic occupational contexts. Directors make sure apprentices are trained in the specific IT packages that they use in the workplace so that they can readily practise what they learn. Directors have appropriate resources in place. They are subject experts with Monitoring visit: Keibra Ltd, 10 and 11 July 2024 significant teaching experience gained from schools or training providers. Apprentices use specialist IT packages so that they can develop the specific network, cyber or software skills they need to help them in their job role. Although there are currently no apprentices with additional learning needs, directors are keen to provide inclusive practice. They have contracted with a specialist company to provide support for apprentices with mental health and specific learning difficulties. Directors meet the principles and requirements of an apprenticeship. They

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Significant progress

understand their provision’s strengths and areas for improvement. They reflect carefully on how they can enhance the quality of training and support they provide to apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices gain significant new knowledge, skills and behaviours during their training. Level 3 software development technician apprentices learn about different tools to use in their workplace. They consider approaches to software development, such as agile and waterfall, and identify which approach is best suited to a particular purpose. Directors have clear oversight of the progress apprentices make. They intervene swiftly if they fall behind to ensure they develop the knowledge and skills they need. Apprentices improve on their written and verbal presentation skills in their training. They develop their mathematical skills through their confident use of complex data sets. Apprentices produce work of a high standard that demonstrates a very good understanding of the IT sector. Level 3 apprentices are developing a new learning software tool. This involves them working collaboratively with a graphic designer.

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Reasonable progress

This has developed their communication skills and given them a wider understanding of the IT sector. From the start of apprentices’ training, directors use progress reviews to introduce them to the requirements of their final assessment. They discuss apprentices’ learning from their work-based case studies in a way that replicates the formal assessment apprentices will undertake. This helps apprentices to develop their knowledge and skills and approach their final assessment with confidence. Apprentices understand the requirements of the final assessment and the different grades that can be achieved. Apprentices enjoy their learning. Directors and employers are highly supportive of apprentices and help them to develop their confidence and resilience. Apprentices value the support and training they get from their directors and employers. Directors recognise that they could present training plans to apprentices and

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Reasonable progress

employers in more detail so that they fully understand how the whole programme is structured. They are aware that the curriculum does not yet include a sufficient focus on apprentices’ wider personal development. Monitoring visit: Keibra Ltd, 10 and 11 July 2024

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Reasonable progress

Directors take their safeguarding responsibilities seriously. They have recruited and trained a designated safeguarding lead and have put in place a suite of appropriate procedures. Apprentices know who to go to if they have any concerns about their welfare. Directors teach apprentices about some important safeguarding themes. They place a strong emphasis on ensuring apprentices understand the importance of safe IT usage, online safety and social media. This means apprentices can conduct themselves safely and professionally. Apprentices have a basic understanding of safeguarding topics. They explain with certainty how to work safely online and how to use IT systems securely. Monitoring visit: Keibra Ltd, 10 and 11 July 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

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Reasonable progress

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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Reasonable progress

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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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