Mcfarlane Telfer Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection dates: 17 to 19 September 2024

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Apprenticeships Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Information about this provider

Mcfarlane Telfer Limited (MCFT) is an employer provider based in Maidenhead. It specialises in training its apprentices in the commercial catering and refrigeration industries. The organisation has been training apprentices since November 2022. At the time of the inspection, there were 43 apprentices in learning. Of these, 25 apprentices were studying level 3 commercial catering equipment technician and 18 apprentices were studying level 3 refrigeration air conditioning and heat pump engineering technician. All apprentices were aged over 19 years old and work in Mcfarlane Telfer Limited’s locations across the UK. Apprentices attend a purpose- built training facility near the head office for their training sessions. In a new provider monitoring visit in October 2023, inspectors judged Mcfarlane Telfer Limited to be making ‘reasonable progress’ in all areas. 17 to 19 September 2024

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

Apprentices highly value the training they receive. They take pride in their work and feel extremely proud to be members of staff at MCFT. Apprentices rightly recognise the positive impact their apprenticeship has on their lives and that the skills they develop will lead to them achieving their career ambitions.

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

Apprentices have positive attitudes to training and work and are highly motivated to succeed. Apprentices eagerly take part in learning activities and contribute well to discussions, while also being respectful to others’ ideas. Apprentices are inquisitive while on-site and keen to gain new knowledge to be able to work on a wide range of appliances. Apprentices attend well and routinely demonstrate the reliability and standards which employers and customers expect.

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

Apprentices develop the skills they require to have a positive impact in the workplace quickly. Apprentices complete an intensive training period at the start of their apprenticeships, so when they enter the workplace they have a secure understanding of how to work safely and of service appliances from the start. Apprentices make a positive contribution to their workplaces from the outset.

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

Apprentices learn how to keep themselves safe. Apprentices complete training on electrical isolation to make sure they can safely service, repair and install appliances. Apprentices work in a safe and professional manner in the workplace and at the technical training academy.

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better?

Leaders have introduced a positive and professional culture at MCFT. Leaders and managers highly value apprentices as they are seen as essential to the organisation meeting its current commitments and future expansion growth ambitions. Leaders have introduced a specialist training academy to overcome the shortage of experienced staff and develop their own apprentices to be competent engineers in the catering equipment and refrigeration industries. Leaders highly value the skills which the apprentices develop.

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better?

Leaders have designed the curriculum logically, so apprentices develop abilities in complex skills over time. Apprentices learn about the fundamental workings of a range of appliances and quickly gain the ability to be able to service them, before building on this knowledge to be able to complete complex maintenance and repair work.

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better?

Trainers use their in-depth specialist knowledge to skilfully help apprentices become effective engineers. For example, they emphasise the importance of testing water softener equipment in hard water areas and how to identify the signs of perishing in hoses when they work on older equipment. Trainers relate their teaching closely to what the apprentices will encounter at work. 17 to 19 September 2024

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Tutors use effective questioning techniques to check apprentices’ learning. For example, apprentices can demonstrate and explain algebraic manipulation to calculate resistance, voltage and current. Apprentices exhibit a deep understanding of the technical skills they need for equipment installation.

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Tutors do not make sure all apprentices know what they need to do to make rapid progress in their training. Tutors do not routinely provide apprentices with clear targets on what they need to do to improve for all elements of the apprenticeship.

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Field managers highly value the skills which apprentices develop and apply in the workplace. For example, apprentices notice traces of damage to circuit boards as a result of minor failings in the wiring of oven temperature probes. They know that they do not pose a safety risk or immediate failure of the oven but over time the circuit board will fail and lead to a costly replacement. Apprentices receive effective support to become engineers able to respond to situations and solve problems as they arise and become well-regarded employees.

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Staff support apprentices effectively to develop knowledge, skills and behaviours on and off the job. Apprentices produce work to a high standard and demonstrate competencies required in the workplace. They use professional terminology correctly and in context and understand the technical language which manufacturers use in the product guidelines. Apprentices are confident in the workplace and develop quickly into MCFT engineers.

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Leaders make apprentices aware of their future career opportunities from the start of the apprenticeship. Leaders highly value their employees and, as such, offer career paths linked to pay and benefits for apprentices to aspire to. Apprentices are aware of what they need to achieve to realise their ambitions of progressing into improver, supervisor, and team leader roles on completion of the apprenticeship. Apprentices value the careers advice they have received from MCFT.

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Leaders make sure apprentices benefit from good-quality support which helps them with their personal development. Leaders make sure that apprentices are mindful about how to keep themselves healthy. Apprentices are made aware of mental health problems, the risks of stress and lack of sleep, and how to prepare to eat healthily when working in the field. Leaders provide opportunities for apprentices to support their local communities. Apprentices participate in social action projects to repair, service and install donated appliances in community group kitchen facilities.

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Leaders have been too slow to support apprentices to develop their mathematics and English skills. Although all apprentices who require these essential skills have started to develop them, not all apprentices start working towards functional skills qualifications early enough, and so make slow progress towards these goals.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. 17 to 19 September 2024

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Make sure apprentices benefit from clear targets focused on what they need to do to improve their work.  Support apprentices to achieve their English and mathematics qualifications promptly and successfully. 17 to 19 September 2024

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Provider details

Address Unit B5 Westacott Way Westacott Business Centre Littlewick Green Maidenhead SL6 3RT

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent George Roberts-Smith

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected 17 to 19 September 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the talent development manager, 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.

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Inspection team

Richard Kirkham, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Mark Hillman His Majesty’s Inspector 17 to 19 September 2024

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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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