C2C Group Limited

C2C Group Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Penny Fawcus, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 10 and 11 December 2024

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: 9 Warboys Close Buntingford Hertfordshire SG9 9GA Monitoring visit: C2C Group Limited, 10 and 11 December 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

C2C Group Limited is an independent learning provider based in Buntingford, Hertfordshire. Apprentices work across the country with employers in the construction and telecommunications sectors. C2C provides apprenticeship training mostly through online learning.

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Context and focus of visit

At the time of the visit, there were 44 apprentices studying from level 3 to level 5. Most apprentices were training for the level 3 team leader, level 3 network cable installer and the level 5 operations manager. There were fewer than 10 apprentices on the construction quantity surveying technician programme. On the level 3 business administrator and level 4 associate project manager, there were fewer than five apprentices. Apprentices were over the age of 19 and are not in receipt of high- needs funding.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders work effectively with employers to understand their workforce’s skills gaps. Leaders develop apprenticeships to support workforce development in the sector. Staff are experts in the telecommunications and construction sectors. They use this expertise skilfully to tailor the learning to meet the apprentice’s and the employer’s individual needs. Staff teach apprentices using their employer’s tools and documentation such as the cost reporting tools for construction quantity surveyors. Leaders have worked with airport contractors to develop the network cabling course. Tutors ensure apprentices use the specific practices and regulations required within their contracts. In addition, staff ensure apprentices develop an awareness of the different methodologies used across the wider sector. This enables apprentices to become effective in their job roles and develop the skills they need for their future

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Reasonable progress

careers. Monitoring visit: C2C Group Limited, 10 and 11 December 2024 Leaders ensure they establish a good understanding of the apprentice’s existing skills and knowledge. Staff use this information to adapt the training plans and teaching so apprentices are gaining substantial new skills and knowledge. Leaders have developed a flexible teaching model to work around the apprentice’s shift patterns and work demands. Leaders ensure that employers are involved in the apprentice’s progress review and planning for off-the-job training. They communicate effectively with workplace managers to resolve any issues apprentices may experience. Apprentices and employers value the apprenticeship. Apprentices gain more responsibility and promotion at work because of the skills they develop.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have not established effective reporting and accountability procedures to drive improvement. Leaders meet frequently to share information relating to business performance and apprentices’ progress. Leaders do not scrutinise and challenge the performance of tutors and apprentices. Leaders’ understanding of their strengths and areas for improvement is not sufficiently detailed to set effective actions to improve the quality of education.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices work in highly regulated and controlled sectors such as aviation environments. Tutors use their expert knowledge of the workplace effectively to reinforce new concepts. Network cable installer apprentices consider the work they are currently doing when discussing cable dimensions for Ohm’s Law. Tutors use helpful comparisons to provide clear explanations. They use the example of a garden hose to explain resistance of an electric cable as part of Ohms’ Law knowledge development.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices appreciate the support they receive from tutors. Tutors meet frequently with apprentices to help them with their coursework. Apprentices who speak English as an additional language receive extra help to make good progress. This helps apprentices improve their language skills and confidence over time.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors use assessment effectively to check learning. Apprentices frequently submit work as part of their ongoing assessment. Tutors provide apprentices with helpful verbal feedback on what they have done well and what they need to do to improve. Tutors correct English errors to help apprentices improve the standard of work overtime. Tutors do not record feedback effectively for apprentices to refer to when working on future submissions.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors do not ensure apprentices understand the overall progress they are making towards their planned end dates. Tutors carry out frequent progress reviews with apprentices and their employers. Tutors ensure apprentices are set good quality vocational course work targets. Tutors do not routinely plan for apprentice’s Monitoring visit: C2C Group Limited, 10 and 11 December 2024 development of English, mathematics and work-based training. Furthermore, apprentices do not know what grade they are currently working at. Consequently, apprentices do not know what they need to do improve to achieve merit and distinction grades.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors use progress trackers effectively to identify those who are making slow progress. They provide apprentices with additional support sessions where required. Tutors work alongside employers to help apprentices catch up with their peers. At the time of the visit, it was too early to judge the impact of this support.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have implemented appropriate safeguarding arrangements. Apprentices have a good understanding of safeguarding. They treat others with respect and courtesy. Apprentices feel safe and respected, and they know who to contact if they have any concerns. Tutors know apprentices well and they take time to check on apprentice’s well-being at the start of online sessions.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors ensure apprentices complete mandatory online training for safeguarding. Apprentices have a good understanding of the risks associated with radicalisation and extremism. Tutors routinely check apprentice’s understanding of fundamental British values and discuss related topics in their progress review meetings, such as equality and diversity and the importance of democracy. Monitoring visit: C2C Group Limited, 10 and 11 December 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

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Reasonable progress

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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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