ACE Training and Consultancy Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

p.1

Inspection of ACE Training and Consultancy Limited

p.1

Inspection dates: 10 to 13 September 2024

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

p.1

Information about this provider

ACE Training and Consultancy Limited (ACE Training) is an independent learning provider based in Oxford. It provides education programmes for young people and apprenticeships in construction.

p.1

Information about this provider

At the time of this visit, there were approximately 60 learners studying education programmes for young people in brickwork and carpentry at levels 1 and 2. Leaders intend learners to complete these ‘pre-apprenticeship’ courses to prepare them for apprenticeships, training and/or work. There were 61 apprentices, of which 29 were studying level 2 carpentry and joinery, 22 on level 2 bricklayer, seven on level 2 property maintenance operative and the remainder were studying level 3 craft carpentry and joinery. All learners and apprentices attend their studies at the purpose-built workshop and training centre in Oxford. Apprentices work with employers local to Oxford.

p.1

Information about this provider

ACE Training works with one subcontractor, the Engineering Trust Training Centre, to provide apprenticeships in level 4 construction site supervisor. There were fewer than five apprentices studying with this sub-contractor who were completing their final assessments. 10 to 13 September 2024

p.1

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

Apprentices and learners enjoy training in the welcoming and calm learning environment that leaders create. Almost all learners and apprentices exemplify the high expectations that leaders and staff set for their behaviours and attitudes to work. Apprentices and learners work respectfully and purposefully with staff and their peers. This helps them to build their confidence and develop the industry skills and professional behaviours they need to succeed in their chosen careers.

p.2

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

Learners studying the pre-apprenticeship programme benefit from a wide range of innovative and interesting activities which help prepare them for life in modern Britain. They learn how to take part in their communities through building and donating items such as external larders for food banks. Young learners learn how their behaviours and attitudes could impact their future success exceptionally well. They visit local law courts where they learn about the consequences of criminal and anti-social behaviour. This helps them to make positive decisions that influence their future life chances. However, apprentices do not consistently benefit from similar age-appropriate activities beyond the vocational expectations.

p.2

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

Learners and apprentices value the useful information, advice and guidance they receive which helps them to prepare for their futures in work or training. For example, apprentices benefit from visiting different types of construction sites to experience the range of opportunities available to them. As a result, apprentices and learners are successful in moving on to their chosen next steps.

p.2

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

Apprentices and learners feel safe in learning and working with ACE Training. They quickly learn how to stay safe when in the workshop or construction site and apply this learning well.

p.2

better?

Leaders have high aspirations for all learners and apprentices, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who face disadvantage. Leaders aspire to provide programmes that allow young learners to start learning throughout the year and then move on to an apprenticeship, work or further learning when they are ready. Leaders acknowledge that they have not selected qualifications that best meet the needs of their learners, and so most young learners leave learning early and without qualifications, including mathematics and English.

p.2

better?

Leaders and those responsible for governance identify the quality of the provision and the sub-contracted provision well. Those responsible for governance challenge leaders on actions where improvements cannot be seen and support leaders to make further developments. While leaders’ historic actions have not been successful, leaders’ recent work to reduce the number of learners is beginning to have some success. However, it is too early to see the impact on the number of learners who achieve their qualifications. 10 to 13 September 2024

p.2

3

Leaders work closely with stakeholders and their local community to develop their curriculum and meet their needs. They identify the industry skills gaps through forums and local and regional planning. Consequently, the training programmes are closely aligned with industry requirements and are adapted to meet employers’ needs. Employers value the positive contributions apprentices bring to their workplace.

p.3

3

Staff plan learning appropriately so that learners and apprentices remember their learning and build new knowledge and skills over time. They explain concepts clearly and concisely. Brickwork apprentices develop fundamental hand and trowel skills such as building walls that are to the correct dimensions, plumb and level before learning more complex tasks such as building cavity walls and arches.

p.3

3

Staff enjoy their work at ACE Training and benefit from useful training to improve their teaching skills and keep their industry knowledge up to date. They use this knowledge and expertise well to devise interesting and challenging learning activities skilfully. They demonstrate practical skills and techniques, using technical language with care and precision, before apprentices and learners repeat the process they have observed. Staff provide helpful guidance that enables apprentices and learners to master techniques quickly. Learners and apprentices become confident in completing their work in a professional manner and to a high standard quickly. They know and can do more in their vocational area. For example, carpentry pre- apprenticeship learners acquire the knowledge and skills to construct different wood joints.

p.3

3

Tutors check learners’ and apprentices’ understanding very carefully. They use questioning well to check their learning and monitor their completion of work. In the workshop, brickwork tutors oversee apprentices’ practical work to make sure measurements are accurate to gauge that their work is plumb and level. Most tutors provide helpful and timely feedback that learners use to improve their future work. Tutors challenge learners and apprentices to work to a high standard. As a result, a high proportion of apprentices gain a distinction in their final assessments, and all learners who complete their programmes pass their qualifications successfully.

p.3

3

Most employers participate in apprentice progress review meetings and as such are aware of how best to support apprentices on site. For instance, they arrange for brickwork apprentices to gain more time working with their trowel to practise this skill. While on-site apprentices fulfil roles requiring more advanced skills such as facing brickwork, reading drawings and setting out because of the programme they attend.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Make sure that more learners complete their programmes and achieve their 10 to 13 September 2024

p.3

4

qualifications.  Develop the personal development curriculum further for all apprentices so that they benefit from consistent, age-appropriate opportunities to develop knowledge and skills beyond the vocational curriculum. 10 to 13 September 2024

p.4

Provider details

Address 15a Station Field Industrial Estate Kidlington Oxford Oxfordshire OX5 1JD

p.5

Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

p.5

Provider details

Date of previous inspection 15 to 18 January 2019

p.5

Provider details

Main subcontractors Engineering Trust Training Limited 10 to 13 September 2024

p.5

Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the training 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

Emma Leavey, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Roland White His Majesty’s Inspector Richard Kirkham His Majesty’s Inspector 10 to 13 September 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 children looked after, 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