OnPointTrac

Name of lead inspector: Suzanne Horner, His Majesty’s Inspector

p.1

Inspection dates: 31 July and 1 August 2024

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address: Unit Q, Mosspark Dairy Farm Road Rainford St Helens WA11 7JH Monitoring visit: OnPoint TRAC, 31 July and 1 August 2024

p.1

Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of adult learning provision where the provision offered is in scope for inspection. 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.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

OnPoint TRAC is an independent learning provider based in St Helens, in the north west of England. OnPoint TRAC received its first funding from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in January 2023. The large majority of learners are ex-offenders from local prisons. A few serving prisoners, who are approaching the end of their sentences, are released on license to attend Skills Bootcamp training. This enables learners to gain employment quickly on their release from prison.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

OnPoint TRAC provides Skills Bootcamps in construction, rail and telecommunications. At the time of the monitoring visit, the provider had 12 learners enrolled on the construction Skills Bootcamp, of which, six were on the excavator and six were on the telescopic handler pathways.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear rationale for their construction Skills Bootcamps. They have an unwavering goal to provide courses that change learners’ lives. Leaders’ aim is to meet the skills gaps in the construction industry and introduce learners to sustainable employment in the construction sector.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders work closely with employers and partners to plan the Skills Bootcamp curriculums for learners. They provide two pathways for construction learners in excavator and telescopic handler. Learners complete additional qualifications, such as forward tipping dumper, vehicle and plant marshal, level 1 award in construction health and safety, and a construction skills certification scheme card. This enables learners to enter the construction industry as qualified, multi-skilled, construction workers.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of their provision. Where they identify concerns, they swiftly make changes to the curriculums. Leaders have removed the qualification from the rail Skills Bootcamp Monitoring visit: OnPoint TRAC, 31 July and 1 August 2024 and incorporated de-vegetation management, manual-fed wood chipper and brush and trimmer hedge cutter training. This improves the employability of learners by equipping them with the skills that employers need.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Instructors are industry experts. Many instructors continue to work in the sector and maintain their machinery licenses. They routinely update their industry knowledge through independent reading on construction websites. Instructors learn about new technology and introduce this into their teaching, such as the installation of global positioning systems on excavators. However, instructors do not benefit from sufficient training to further improve their teaching skills.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Quality assurance processes are underdeveloped. This means that leaders do not evaluate the quality of training well enough. Despite this, leaders and managers take account of the observations and critical input that they receive from awarding bodies and funding organisations.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Leaders do not have a board of governors in place. However, there are imminent plans in place, within the next month, to establish a board and for external governors to be appointed.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Instructors teach the construction curriculums logically. Learners on the excavator pathway initially learn about regulations, such as The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment before progressing to practical pre-start checks on plant machinery. Learners skilfully build trenches, safely move about the site and show consideration to other workers. Most learners gain the relevant industry-standard skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the construction sector.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Instructors use a range of assessment strategies effectively to teach learners, for instance mock assessments, workbooks and question and answer. They provide frequent opportunities for learners to repeatedly practise and hone their skills using equipment such as forward tipping dumper, excavator, telescopic handler and road roller machinery. This enables most learners to progress into employment as competent and confident site workers.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Learners readily recall their previous learning. For instance, learners on the excavator pathway recall vital safety aspects such as working three metres away from overhead cables. They know the importance of working at a steady pace to avoid making mistakes or putting lives in danger. Learners understand the importance of the care and maintenance of the excavator. For example, they know to check the hydraulic pipes for oil leaks. Monitoring visit: OnPoint TRAC, 31 July and 1 August 2024 Instructors give developmental feedback to learners in practical activities when learners are operating the plant machinery. They skilfully coach learners through the process and challenge them to think about what actions they need to take next to safely complete the operation. This results in learners rapidly developing their practical skills and knowledge. However, the feedback that instructors give to learners on their written work is less effective and often does not include what

p.3

Reasonable progress

they specifically need to do to further improve their work.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers place a high priority on keeping learners safe. The members of the safeguarding team are well qualified for their roles. All staff are trained in mandatory topics, such as safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Leaders complete a range of appropriate checks when appointing new staff to make sure they are suitable to work with learners. They have put in place processes to record, report and deal with the concerns of learners. However, these processes have not yet been tested.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Learners feel safe. Learners complete training at the beginning of their Skills Bootcamp about safeguarding and the risks relating to extremism and radicalisation. However, most learners are unable to recall this information. Monitoring visit: OnPoint TRAC, 31 July and 1 August 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 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.4

Reasonable progress

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.5

Reasonable progress

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.5

Reasonable progress

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

p.5

Reasonable progress

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

p.5