South Wales and South West Roofing Training

South Wales and South West Roofing Training Group Monitoring visit report

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

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Brooklands Mill Nadderwater Exeter Devon EX4 2JG Monitoring visit: South Wales and South West Roofing Training Group, 7 and 8 August 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

South Wales and South West Roofing Training Group (trading as South West Roofing Training Group (SWRTG)) is a not-for-profit, roofing specialist training provider. Apprentices can learn at either of the training centres based near Exeter, in Devon, and Melksham, in Wiltshire. SWRTG no longer operate in South Wales. The group was established in 1996 to provide specialist training for companies working specifically in the roofing industry. SWRTG started a level 2 roofer apprenticeship in September 2023. There are currently 23 apprentices from across southwest England studying roofing with SWRTG. Three are under the age of 18. Apprentices who started in September 2023 are due to complete their end-point assessments at the end of 2024. The fifth cohort of apprentices started their apprenticeship in the week of this visit.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have skilfully used their deep and extensive experience in the roofing industry to design and teach a well-considered roofing apprenticeship. They work collaboratively with specialist roofing employers in the southwest to improve the skills of roofers, provide apprentices with skills and qualifications and raise the reputation of roofing as a sector in which to work.

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Reasonable progress

Directors and trainers of SWRTG have long-term associations with each other and with employers in the region. SWRTG have a strong reputation with the employers that they work with. There is a waiting list of employers who want to send apprentices to train with SWRTG because they trust the training provided. SWRTG managers choose apprenticeship employers carefully so that they work with those who share their vision.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have worked hard to fulfil the requirements of an apprenticeship, despite Monitoring visit: South Wales and South West Roofing Training Group, 7 and 8 August 2024 having little previous experience. SWRTG deliberately kept apprentice numbers low initially because of the capacity of their rig rooms and trainer-to-apprentice ratios. There have now been five intakes of apprentices. Recently, a second trainer, also an experienced roofer with their own company, has been contracted to teach new apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

SWRTG managers are still developing the quality assurance procedures they need to continually improve the experience of apprentices. For example, managers do not yet have a system in place to monitor the progress of apprentices across their apprenticeship, including in English and mathematics. Managers have produced a self-assessment report, a quality action plan and a process to review the progress of apprentices, but these are not systematic or evaluative enough. Managers have used policies and documents from other sources rather than reflecting their own values, culture and ethos. Therefore, these are not meaningful and have little impact on staff or apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have planned a logical curriculum that provides apprentices with the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to be successful roofers. Apprentices develop a deep and secure knowledge of roofing techniques because of the training they receive from their expert trainers. Trainers provide plenty of opportunities for apprentices to apply their new knowledge and practise their skills on well-equipped roofing rigs in the training centres. Apprentices learn how to use different tiling methods via projects where they work on plain and interlocking tiles and slate, on increasingly complex roof structures such as hips and valleys.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers teach apprentices safe ways of working early in their course, including manual handling, asbestos awareness and working at height. This has helped apprentices to become well prepared and safe in the workplace. Apprentices take part in useful additional training courses to help them at work. For example, apprentices obtain certificates in abrasive wheels and lead bossing as well as first aid, fire safety and mental health awareness.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers use effective techniques to help apprentices learn new knowledge and skills swiftly. For example, trainers use specification sheets to replicate industry practice that apprentices use in their practical work. Trainers revisit key topics such as datums and gauges at the start of every theory lesson to check apprentices’ understanding.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices enjoy their roofing training and attend well. In rare cases where apprentices miss a training session, managers work with employers to arrange for them to catch up. Monitoring visit: South Wales and South West Roofing Training Group, 7 and 8 August 2024 Managers share apprentices’ training plans with their employers so that employers know what apprentices are learning and when. Employers value the knowledge and skills that their apprentices gain from SWRTG. Managers do not include employers enough in reviewing the progress that apprentices make or in the planning of activities for their on-the-job training. As a result, not all apprentices link their new knowledge and skills to the work they do in the workplace.

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Reasonable progress

Managers prioritise safeguarding and health and safety. A director has completed training for safeguarding adults and will soon complete a safeguarding children course. New staff undertake relevant safeguarding training. Directors complete relevant checks on new staff.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have comprehensive safeguarding and ‘Prevent’ duty policies. They are developing a specific policy for safeguarding apprentices who are under the age of 18 and for apprentices who stay in local hotels to attend training.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices feel safe in SWRTG workshops and are confident to discuss any personal concerns with staff. They have a sound understanding of the potential risks of radicalisation and how to report concerns. Monitoring visit: South Wales and South West Roofing Training Group, 7 and 8 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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

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