R S Fleet Installations Ltd

RS Fleet Installations Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Steve Kelly, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 29 October and 30 October 2024

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Address:

1-3 Roman Way Coleshill Birmingham B46 1HG Monitoring visit: R S Fleet Installations Ltd, 29 to 30 October 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

RS Fleet Installations Ltd (RSFL) is an employer training provider based in Birmingham, West Midlands. RSFL provides engineering services to the automotive industry and large national companies, including the emergency services. Apprentices work across the United Kingdom with their mentors and receive training at the company’s head office in Coleshill, Birmingham.

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Context and focus of visit

At the time of the monitoring visit, there were six apprentices enrolled in the level 3 vehicle damage mechanical, electrical, and trim (MET) technician apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have developed an apprenticeship that meets their current business needs and the requirements of the automotive industry. Leaders have recruited industry experienced tutors and mentors to teach apprentices. They provide apprentices with the time to study away from their workplace and opportunities to shadow experienced engineers during their studies. Leaders frequently take part in apprentices’ reviews and adapt their teaching to match their skills and interests. Apprentices thrive and contribute valuable insights to the business.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices learn in well-equipped and up-to-date learning environments. They have access to new vehicles on which to work and practise. This helps them to gain the knowledge and skills required for their job roles. Apprentices practise their newly taught mechanical skills when working on vans. They then repeat the same task on cars, providing them with a broader learning experience.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have developed quality assurance procedures to ensure that what they teach is relevant to the industry and is of a high quality. However, on a few occasions staff do not provide apprentices with the opportunities to practise what they learned. For example, apprentices who work at the head office work on a wide Monitoring visit: R S Fleet Installations Ltd, 29 to 30 October 2024 range of vehicles and tasks while apprentices based in the regions help engineers complete electrical tasks, such as working on car immobilisers. Managers have rightly recognised this and have recently created block weeks at the head office, where apprentices can apply their skills and knowledge from their training.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have recently established an advisory board to provide oversight to their apprenticeships. Currently, members of the board are senior managers within the company. Although the board is in its infancy, board members understand the need to support and challenge leaders.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices learn the substantial new knowledge and skills that they will need for their careers as mechanical engineers. Tutors order the curriculum appropriately to ensure that apprentices build knowledge and skills over time. Apprentices start by assisting others, then progressing to taking electrical readings and recording faults. As they move through their apprenticeship, tasks increase in complexity and apprentices’ skill levels increase. Apprentices apply their newly acquired knowledge and complete tasks independently. They are proud of the work they produce.

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Reasonable progress

Experienced tutors teach English and mathematics to apprentices to help them develop their skills. Tutors regularly plan and teach the development of English and mathematics in training sessions. Apprentices develop their confidence and presentation skills by reading information in class and the working out of ratios for coolant fluids with water within a radiator to avoid it becoming corrosive.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors do not sufficiently use apprentices’ starting points to inform their teaching. At the start of their apprenticeship, apprentices undertake assessments designed to identify their initial knowledge and practical skills that align with their apprenticeship. However, tutors do not routinely use the information they gather to plan their teaching effectively. Apprentices follow a generic learning plan and tutors do not always consider what apprentices already know and can do. As a result, not all apprentices achieve at the rate they are capable of.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have appointed a suitably qualified designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and follow appropriate safer recruitment procedures. Managers have developed clear procedures for staff and apprentices to report their concerns. Staff proactively report welfare concerns to the DSL, who follows them up diligently. Monitoring visit: R S Fleet Installations Ltd, 29 to 30 October 2024 Apprentices feel safe and know who to go to if they need support. Apprentices understand safe working practices and the health and safety standards that the automotive industry expects.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have considered the risks associated with younger apprentices who stay away from home as part of their training. Staff provide apprentices with transport and support while on training. They ensure apprentices follow a behaviour code of conduct while staying at local hotels to keep themselves safe. Monitoring visit: R S Fleet Installations Ltd, 29 to 30 October 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

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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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