Academy Training Ltd

Further education and skills inspection report

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good 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

Academy Training Limited is an independent training provider in Wolverhampton, West Midlands. Since the monitoring visit, leaders have changed their focus, and have ceased offering hairdressing apprenticeships. At the time of the inspection, there were 20 apprentices, all of whom were aged 19 or over. Nine were studying on the level 3 payroll assistant, seven were on the level 5 assistant payroll manager, and four were on the level 3 multi-channel marketer apprenticeships. 6 to 8 November 2024

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

Apprentices have positive attitudes to their learning. Apprentices frequently take part in optional additional training. For example, level 5 assistant payroll manager apprentices complete workshops on how to apply postgraduate loan repayments to payroll and level 3 payroll assistant apprentices update their skills through the Chartered Institute of Payroll Practitioners website.

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

Apprentices are respectful of their trainers and of each other. They participate in small-group work and listen considerately to their peers’ contributions. Apprentices participate enthusiastically in discussions that help them to improve their understanding of other apprentices’ working environments. They develop their knowledge as to why different organisations use different payroll models to extend their understanding beyond their current workplace.

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

Level 5 payroll apprentices develop new skills that they are quickly able to apply in their workplace. For example, apprentices are now able to manage client queries about the apprenticeship levy independently, improving the experience of their clients’ needs.

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

Apprentices’ attendance is good. Staff identify apprentices who are at risk of falling behind in their studies quickly. They subsequently work with apprentices and their employers to help them to catch up with their learning if they fall behind.

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

Apprentices can discuss confidently the importance of equality, diversity and safeguarding in the sectors in which they work. Level 3 multi-channel marketer apprentices can relate the importance of understanding cultural differences when dealing with customers.

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

Apprentices feel safe and know whom to contact if they have safeguarding concerns.

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better?

Since changing their focus away from offering hairdressing apprenticeships, leaders have worked with payroll employers to develop coherent curriculums for level 3 and 5 payroll assistant and manager apprenticeships. They have ensured that they serve the needs of the employers they work with very well.

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better?

Leaders have established an effective advisory board to guide them in developing their apprenticeships. Advisory board members have significant experience in the education sector. They use their expertise to influence the decision-making of leaders, for example by suggesting a change to the end-point assessment organisation to better suit apprentices’ needs. The chair receives useful information, and challenges leaders on apprentices’ progress.

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better?

Trainers plan and sequence their teaching effectively. Trainers who teach multi- channel marketing start with fundamental marketing principles, such as the 6 to 8 November 2024

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marketing mix. They then move on to teaching apprentices about market research and how to develop marketing strategies. Apprentices incrementally build more complex skills that reflect current sector practice, such as the use of artificial intelligence in marketing.

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Leaders have recruited qualified teaching professionals with extensive experience in the subjects that they teach. In most cases, trainers use presentations and explanations, videos and current case studies to teach their curriculums effectively. In a few instances, trainers of level 3 payroll do not sufficiently break down detailed statutory regulation content. In these cases, a few apprentices lose interest and do not remember what they have been taught.

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Apprentices complete thorough assessments of their existing skills and knowledge at the start of their apprenticeship. This enables trainers to identify apprentices’ existing vocational, mathematics and English skills accurately. Trainers use this information to identify apprentices with additional learning support needs. However, in a few cases, managers have taken too long to implement support for these apprentices, causing them to make slow progress.

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Trainers use a range of assessment methods effectively to check apprentices’ learning. Trainers of multi-channel marketing use methods that include sales pitches, written summaries and recommendations for change. Trainers frequently require apprentices to put theory into practice, either by applying it to their workplace or through case studies. For example, trainers teach level 3 payroll assistant apprentices to understand the current legal and compliance environment so that they can apply tax and national insurance changes to the payroll systems they manage.

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Apprentices develop substantial new knowledge and skills that they apply in the workplace and make a valuable contribution to their teams. Trainers teach multi- channel marketing apprentices to use workplace online platforms to collect information and then to develop spreadsheets to analyse it. They use this information to identify the aspirations of specific groups of real estate investors so that the marketing team can target and message potential investors, attracting them to purchase properties.

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Most trainers provide helpful feedback to apprentices on their work. They provide comprehensive written feedback on the payroll assistant apprenticeship, giving information about strengths and areas for improvement. Trainers provide helpful oral feedback to multi-channel marketing apprentices that highlights ways they can improve their work. However, the written feedback multi-channel marketing apprentices receive is overly positive and does not highlight areas for improvement.

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Apprentices’ progress in mathematics is slow. Although apprentices have access to online materials and support sessions, a few apprentices find it challenging to maintain motivation while working through the materials. 6 to 8 November 2024

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Leaders have designed a comprehensive induction process. Trainers work with apprentices to identify their career goals and any barriers that there may be to achieving them. Apprentices know how their apprenticeship will support their career progression. However, as the changed curriculum is new, and no apprentices have yet completed their studies, it is too soon to see the impact.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Give prompt support to apprentices who need extra help.  Improve the teaching of functional skills in mathematics.  Provide training to staff so that they are proficient at teaching the regulatory content of the level 3 payroll assistant apprenticeship. 6 to 8 November 2024

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Provider details

Address St Davids Court Union Street Wolverhampton WV1 3JE

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Anthony Bromirski

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning Provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider details

Main subcontractors None 6 to 8 November 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the operations 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

Sharon Dowling, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Martin Ward His Majesty’s Inspector 6 to 8 November 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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