Barrow Training Partnership Limited (BTP Cumbria)

Barrow Training Partnership Limited (BTP Cumbria) Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Alison Humphreys, His Majesty's Inspector

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Inspection dates: 10 and 11 September 2024

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

BTP Cumbria Construction Training Centre Rome Street Carlisle Cumbria CA2 5AQ Monitoring visit: Barrow Training Partnership Limited(BTP Cumbria), 10 and 11 September 2024

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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.

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Context and focus of visit

Barrow Training Partnership Limited (BTP Cumbria) is an independent learning provider based in Carlisle. BTP Cumbria began providing Skills Bootcamps for adult learners in the construction sector in 2023. At the time of the visit there were eight learners enrolled on the groundwork Skills Bootcamp.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders work effectively with a range of stakeholders to inform and develop their curriculum so that it is relevant and up to date. Leaders adapt Skills Bootcamps to meet the needs of local employers. Leaders have redesigned the curriculum to include more training on methods of laying concrete. This means that learners develop the skills they need swiftly to work on site. In response to employers’ needs, leaders designed a Skills Bootcamp to develop the management skills of supervisors on construction sites. As a result of the training, supervisors are now confident and effective managers. They manage difficult conversations with staff effectively and take on greater responsibilities such as overseeing site projects.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders recruit highly skilled instructors who use their extensive experience to teach on Skills Bootcamps. Instructors are employed on a temporary basis to meet training needs. However, leaders have not put in place training to develop instructors’ teaching skills further.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders carry out a range of informal activities to check the quality of education that learners receive. They use this information to support them to improve the training for learners. For example, instructors benefit from training on the use of assessment methods, such as open questioning, to check learners understand what they have been taught. However, they are yet to formalise these processes to help them to further improve the quality of training. Monitoring visit: Barrow Training Partnership Limited(BTP Cumbria), 10 and 11 September 2024 Leaders do not have formalised governance arrangements in place. This means that they are not sufficiently held to account for the quality of training that they provide.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders recruit learners carefully. They conduct interviews and assessments to ensure that learners are placed on the correct course. Learners are highly motivated to achieve and are committed to their learning. They value the support that they receive from their instructors which they say helps them to progress and remain on the bootcamp. Almost all learners who are unemployed gain employment in the construction industry. Learners who are already employed gain additional skills and/or responsibilities because of their training.

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Reasonable progress

Instructors identify what learners already know and can do at the start of their course. They use this information to individualise learning for each learner. Learners with no experience in construction benefit from individualised support that helps them to hone their skills swiftly.

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Reasonable progress

Instructors order the topics that they teach effectively. Learners are first taught how to set- out and level accurately. They quickly apply these skills to more complex topics such as drainage. For example, learners use the setting-out process and accurate levelling to correctly install drainage. They correctly calculate the gradient needed to ensure blockages do not occur.

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Reasonable progress

Learners develop substantial new knowledge and skills because of the training that they receive. They talk confidently about the various aspects of groundworks and can explain how to select the correct tools for the jobs that they carry out. For example, learners confidently explain how to safely use a jack hammer when breaking up concrete. Employers talk enthusiastically about the basic initial knowledge and skills that learners gain.

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Reasonable progress

Instructors use demonstration and questioning effectively to develop learners’ knowledge and skills. They demonstrate how to accurately add and rake concrete prior to levelling, tamping and finishing a concrete area. Learners practise these skills and receive useful feedback from instructors which helps them to improve. This means that learners complete tasks accurately and are confident to apply these in the workplace. Monitoring visit: Barrow Training Partnership Limited(BTP Cumbria), 10 and 11 September 2024

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a strong focus on health and safety. They prepare learners well for working in the construction industry. Learners take part in toolbox talks before using new equipment. For example, when using disc cutters learners know how to use the correct water suppression techniques to ensure that the public do not inhale dust.

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Reasonable progress

Learners feel safe and know who to contact if they have any concerns. Leaders recognise that they need to provide further training to learners to ensure they have a full understanding of the risks associated with radicalisation and extremism. Monitoring visit: Barrow Training Partnership Limited(BTP Cumbria), 10 and 11 September 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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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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