Kwik-Fit (GB) Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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Information about this provider

Kwik-Fit (GB) Limited (Kwik-Fit) is a privately owned company that specialises in automotive parts repair. The company, and its subsidiaries, operate across a network of around 700 retail centres nationally. Leaders offer the level 2 autocare technician standards-based apprenticeship.

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Information about this provider

There are around 550 apprentices, of whom three-quarters are aged 19 or under. Apprentices are employed in retail centres nationally. They can attend their block training at one of five training academies in Broxburn, Sheffield, Derby, Reading or Harlow. Apprentices stay in hotel accommodation when they travel to their block training. A very small number of apprentices study level 1 functional English and mathematics. Apprentices are taught by trainers, coaches, reviewers and their service centre managers. 16 to 19 July 2024

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

Apprentices follow a well-thought-out training plan which includes block weeks in training academies, e-learning and time on-the-job at work. For example, in training, apprentices learn about emissions control, the purpose of substances like AdBlue, how to interpret data and use technical equipment. Back at work, they complete the well-designed e-learning materials to consolidate their knowledge and then undertake emissions tests on customer cars. This approach is replicated for most technical skills and enables apprentices to progressively master them.

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

Apprentices benefit from a supportive environment at work and during training. Trainers, coaches and line managers are attentive and approachable. Leaders set clear expectations for apprentices’ behaviour in the useful ‘A-Z customer happiness guide’. Apprentices understand fully the expectations of them, take pride in their work and show respect for each other, staff and customers. They almost always attend their autocare training.

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

Coaches, trainers and reviewers continually discuss mental health and healthy living with apprentices. They use a range of helpful online resources to inform younger apprentices about topics such as healthy relationships and the risks of radicalisation. Apprentices, rightly, speak highly about the guidance they receive.

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

Apprentices are taught how to work safely and use all machinery and equipment correctly. Staff continually reinforce these safe working practices. Apprentices know who to contact if they have any concerns about their well-being or safety and receive any support that they need.

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better?

Leaders know and understand their business and the autocare sector extremely well. They use this knowledge to design a relevant curriculum that includes the technical knowledge, skills and behaviours that apprentices need to be successful. Trainers organise the curriculum and course content sensibly. For example, apprentices first learn about workshop safety skills, safe lifting, and the basics of tyre construction and fitting. This allows apprentices to quickly start work in their retail centres and be productive in their roles.

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better?

Trainers and coaches are experts in their field. They undertake frequent development to keep their knowledge current. During sessions, trainers use their expertise to provide apprentices with useful demonstrations and thorough explanations of technical skills. For example, apprentices observe in detail how to assemble and disassemble brake systems and diagnose a range of faults. They go on to practise on their own rigs and receive beneficial guidance from trainers. As a result, apprentices are quickly able to attempt this work independently.

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better?

Trainers make good use of demanding activities, quizzes and questioning to check that apprentices understand what they are taught. Trainers use the outcomes of 16 to 19 July 2024

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these activities to provide apprentices with valuable feedback or identify if they need to re-visit any topics. The technical content of apprentices’ work is largely appropriate and of the expected standard. However, the quality of their written work is poor. Trainers correctly identify mistakes in spelling, punctuation and grammar, but apprentices rarely improve the standard of their work.

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In the main, apprentices have good opportunities to practise what they learn in training at work. For example, following customer service training, they deal with customer enquiries at the front desk. They get ample opportunity to undertake tyre changes and wheel alignment. However, a few tasks, such as changing exhausts, occur less often in the service centre. This means that apprentices have less opportunity to practise these technical skills.

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Apprentices with special educational needs and/or disabilities have appropriate support plans. Trainers appropriately use coloured overlays or provide frequent breaks from training. This allows apprentices to participate fully in their studies.

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Leaders’ arrangements, for the few apprentices who need to complete functional English and mathematics qualifications, are too informal. Typically, apprentices are slow to undertake the self-directed study materials and/or do not attend their one- to-one sessions. As a result, apprentices do not achieve their English or mathematics qualifications as quickly as they could.

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Historically, not enough apprentices completed and achieved their apprenticeship. The minority of apprentices who complete their training, pass and secure employment with Kwik-Fit or in the autocare industry.

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Leaders know the reasons why apprentices left their courses. Most got better paid jobs and/or experienced a lack of centre manager support. Leaders have taken appropriate actions to resolve these issues. For example, there is a new pay and reward system in place for apprentices. As a result, most apprentices who commenced their apprenticeship this year remain on their courses and benefit from their training.

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Coaches ensure that apprentices are clear about what they need to do to achieve their next steps. For most apprentices, it is to remain with the provider and work towards promotion. They understand the opportunities for future progression at Kwik-Fit, along with beneficial guidance on alternative career options.

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Leaders use a range of appropriate processes to accurately evaluate the quality of apprentices’ experiences. They know what their strengths and weaknesses are and take suitable actions for improvement. Leaders frequently share relevant information with the governance board, which is made up of senior leaders at Kwik-Fit. Governors suitably hold the operational team to account and ensure actions for improvement are swift enough.

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A few of the performance reports that leaders use are not as effective as they could be. For example, leaders report apprentice achievement and retention data by 16 to 19 July 2024

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financial years. Leaders recognise that this makes it hard for them to accurately understand their performance. They have sensible plans to implement a new management information system, but it is too soon for inspectors to judge the impact this may have.

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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 apprentices with the guidance and support they need to improve their written work.  Ensure that apprentices can consistently practise their technical skills at work so that they have equal opportunity to master them all.  Improve the arrangements for apprentices to study functional English and mathematics qualifications so that they achieve them as quickly as they can.  Ensure that performance reports support leaders and governors to monitor the provision effectively. 16 to 19 July 2024

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Provider details

Address ETEL Automotive Academy 20 Cranmer Road West Meadows Industrial estate Derby DE21 6JL

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Provider details

Dates of previous inspection 20 to 24 April 2015

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Provider details

Main subcontractors None 16 to 19 July 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the head of apprenticeships and future development, 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.

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Inspection team

Emma Woods, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Mark Care His Majesty’s Inspector Michael Worgs His Majesty’s Inspector Kevin Williams Ofsted Inspector Nikki Brady His Majesty’s Inspector Vicki Locke His Majesty’s Inspector 16 to 19 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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