Skills Edge Training Ltd

Further education and skills inspection report

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

p.1

Information about this provider

Skills Edge Training Limited is based in Norwich. Apprentices are located across the country. Leaders specialise in offering financial services and business and management apprenticeships from levels 2 to 5. All courses are taught online. Since the previous inspection, leaders have changed their curriculum offer. They no longer offer courses in hairdressing and hospitality.

p.1

Information about this provider

At the time of the inspection, there were 483 apprentices studying with the provider. Most apprentices were aged 18 or above. 202 apprentices studied level 3 insurance practitioner, 75 studied level 4 financial adviser, 73 studied level 4 paraplanner and 57 studied financial services administrator. The remaining apprentices studied a range of financial services and business and management apprenticeships. The provider did not have any learners in receipt of high needs funding. Leaders did not work with any subcontractors. 9 to 12 July 2024

p.1

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

Apprentices benefit from calm, professional online learning environments. Apprentices demonstrate positive and respectful attitudes towards their studies in these sessions. Paraplanner apprentices take ownership of their learning. They identify areas where they want to further improve, such as how they interact with clients.

p.2

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

Apprentices know about the importance of adopting an inclusive and respectful approach. Paraplanner and financial services administrator apprentices demonstrate sensitivity and kindness when working with vulnerable clients.

p.2

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

Apprentices develop their confidence while on their apprenticeships. Financial services administrator apprentices can complete client desk-based reviews independently. Financial services customer adviser apprentices are confident to talk about financial services as a career, at local schools.

p.2

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

Apprentices feel safe while undertaking training and while at work. Apprentices know about the importance of protecting personal data. They use this knowledge in their job role but also to support themselves personally. Of the small proportion of younger learners, too few apprentices can recall learning about healthy relationships as part of their course.

p.2

better?

Too few apprentices complete their apprenticeship. On the insurance practitioner standard, which has the highest number of apprentices studying, too few apprentices remain in learning. Frequent changes in staff have disrupted apprentices’ learning. Too few apprentices attend their training sessions. As a result, insurance practitioner apprentices do not make swift enough progress. Of those insurance practitioner apprentices who do continue with their studies, too few complete their apprenticeship by their planned end date.

p.2

better?

Since the previous inspection, leaders have made several improvements to reduce the proportion of apprentices who leave their courses early. Leaders have improved how they recruit new apprentices. Leaders now ensure that apprentices have suitable job roles. Managers have put in place measures to improve rates of attendance. Leaders have remodelled the curriculum. On the paraplanner course, leaders have introduced additional workshops to ensure that apprentices gain the technical skills they need to be successful. These improvements have led to an increase in the proportion of apprentices who successfully complete the paraplanner and financial adviser apprenticeships.

p.2

better?

Assessors and trainers do not consistently give apprentices’ high-quality developmental feedback. On the insurance practitioner courses, apprentices do not receive feedback in a timely way. Consequently, too few apprentices receive prompt feedback identifying how to improve their work. 9 to 12 July 2024

p.2

3

Too few apprentices receive independent careers advice and guidance as part of their courses. Too often apprentices are solely asked about whether they know where to get careers advice and guidance. Apprentices do not benefit from rich ongoing discussions about the wide range of options open to them after they complete their apprenticeship.

p.3

3

Leaders and managers have ensured that apprentices have access to a wide-ranging planned personal development programme. Too few apprentices use these resources and can recall what they have learned. Financial adviser apprentices cannot see the relevance of this learning in their everyday working lives.

p.3

3

Leaders and managers have designed ambitious financial services and insurance apprenticeship courses. Trainers and assessors support and encourage apprentices to work towards a distinction grade. Of those apprentices who complete their apprenticeship, just under half of apprentices achieve distinction grades in their final assessments.

p.3

3

Trainers are knowledgeable about the financial services sector. They use their experience to help explain complex topics simply. Trainers use a range of teaching methods effectively in order to ensure that apprentices develop the required technical knowledge. On the insurance practitioner course, trainers ensure that they break concepts down into small chunks. This helps apprentices to understand new concepts.

p.3

3

Most trainers check apprentices’ understanding of topics effectively during training sessions. Most trainers use an appropriate range of assessment techniques, including quizzes, reflections, written assignments, questioning and mock exams. This helps trainers establish what apprentices know and can do.

p.3

3

Most assessors work closely with workplace line managers to ensure that apprentices apply their new knowledge and practise using their skills. On the paraplanner standard, apprentices shadow qualified paraplanners and financial advisers. They learn about completing specialist reports and how to effectively manage meetings with clients.

p.3

3

The few apprentices with learning needs and/or disabilities are appropriately supported by assessors. Staff ensure that the few apprentices who require support have this in place early into their programme. Apprentices with dyslexia receive paper copies of textbooks as well as digital versions. This allows apprentices to use coloured overlays. They can annotate and highlight wording so that it is clear to them.

p.3

3

Apprentices continue to develop their English and mathematical skills while studying their apprenticeship. Insurance practitioner apprentices develop academic writing skills and use technical terminology fluently. They use vocabulary such as ‘legible’ and ‘contemporaneous’ in the correct context. Paraplanner apprentices develop their skills in writing reports. They learn how to write in plain English and how to ensure 9 to 12 July 2024

p.3

4

that important information is at the start of the report. They learn how to calculate ratios to show the level of risk of different investments. Financial services customer adviser apprentices develop their communication skills. They become more confident talking to strangers on the telephone in a contact centre. They show the importance of building a positive rapport with customers throughout their work.

p.4

4

Apprentices develop new knowledge, skills and behaviours while on their courses. Paraplanner apprentices increase their understanding of different types of financial products. They understand the role and principles of the Financial Conduct Authority. Insurance practitioner apprentices know how to support customers in completing claims forms. They understand how to log insurance claims accurately. They become more skilled at building client relationships. On completion of their courses, most apprentices remain in employment in the financial services sector.

p.4

4

Leaders have not ensured that there is sufficient scrutiny of the quality of education to hold them to account. There is no external member of the board with an educational background to give the independent challenge needed on the quality of teaching, learning and assessment.

p.4

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.4

What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Ensure that apprentices studying the insurance practitioner apprenticeship stay on track with their studies and complete their apprenticeship in planned time scales.  Ensure that apprentices receive prompt developmental feedback identifying how to improve their work.  Ensure that apprentices receive ongoing careers information, advice and guidance so that apprentices are aware of the wide range of possible careers routes and the transferable skills they have developed as part of their studies. 9 to 12 July 2024

p.4

Provider details

Address The Union Building, 4th Floor, 51–59 Rose Lane Norwich NR1 1BY

p.5

Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent James Miller

p.5

Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

p.5

Provider details

Dates of previous inspection 4 to 7 June 2019

p.5

Provider details

Main subcontractors None 9 to 12 July 2024

p.5

Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the managing director, 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.6

Inspection team

Georgina Ager, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Mark Care His Majesty’s Inspector Alison Davies Ofsted Inspector Angela Twelvetree Ofsted Inspector Sarah Seaman His Majesty’s Inspector Steve Lambert His Majesty’s Inspector 9 to 12 July 2024

p.6

7

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.

p.7

7

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.7

7

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.7

7

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

p.7

7

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

p.7