Western Driver Training

Western Driver Training Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Sarah Alexander, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 11 and 12 December 2024

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Unit E3 Southgate Frome BA11 2RY Monitoring visit: Western Driver Training Ltd, 11 and 12 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 adult learning provision where the provision offered is in scope for inspection. 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

Western Driver Training Limited, trading as LGS Transport Training (LGS), is an independent learning provider in Frome, Somerset. LGS provides a Skills Bootcamp training learners who are unemployed or seeking a change of career to drive large goods vehicles (LGVs). Learners complete LGV licences from category C to category C + E as part of the Skills Bootcamp. At the time of the monitoring visit, 15 learners were in training. Classroom training takes place face to face at a dedicated training centre in Frome. Practical training takes place at the provider’s centre in Bristol.

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Significant progress

Leaders worked closely with Somerset and Dorset councils to design an ambitious Skills Bootcamp that prepares learners for jobs as LGV drivers. Leaders work collaboratively with the Jobcentre and employers to prepare learners for work and reduce the national shortage of skilled LGV drivers. Most learners have not been in education for a long time. Leaders carefully design flexible training options to fit around learners’ commitments so that they can attend and develop their skills.

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Significant progress

Managers diligently check that the course and the industry are right for each learner before they begin training. They thoroughly assess the individual needs of each learner at the start of the course to ensure they provide learners with the support they need to achieve their LGV licences and secure work. For example, learners with special educational needs and/or disabilities use assistive technologies to help them understand the knowledge they need for their examinations.

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Significant progress

Leaders use their extensive knowledge of the transport industry to build and nurture working relationships with employers and understand the demands of their businesses. They use these to match individual learners to the job opportunities available, providing guaranteed job interviews and securing jobs for all learners at the end of the course. This has a transformative impact on learners’ lives, leading to a better work–life balance and higher rates of pay. Monitoring visit: Western Driver Training Ltd, 11 and 12 December 2024 Leaders from the local authority and the regional training provider network provide thorough external scrutiny of the training. This includes visits to training, discussions with learners and analysis of individual learners’ progress. Leaders have subsequently made valuable adjustments to the curriculum, such as better inclusion of employability skills and developing their understanding of safeguarding matters.

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Significant progress

Trainers ensure that learners develop substantial new skills and knowledge throughout their training by thoroughly checking what learners know and can do at the start of the course and tailoring their practical training accordingly. Trainers teach learners about the important observation checks they need to undertake prior to driving a vehicle and how to keep themselves physically safe when carrying out activities such as de-coupling a truck and trailer.

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Significant progress

Leaders carefully design logically sequenced curriculums that incrementally build the skills and knowledge that learners need to become competent LGV drivers. For example, learners on the ‘car to artic’ course develop their driving skills in rigid LGVs before driving articulated lorries, gaining important skills in smaller lorries first.

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Significant progress

Trainers meticulously check learners’ understanding of both the theory and practical elements of the courses. They provide additional tuition for learners who need it and additional online resources to support learners’ knowledge acquisition further. Almost all learners pass their theory and practical exams at the first attempt.

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Significant progress

Managers and trainers have developed a highly effective ‘employment day’, during which they prepare learners to apply for employment in the logistics industry. Trainers carry out activities such as CV writing and mock interviews to develop learners’ written and oral communication skills. Managers provide helpful careers advice to learners throughout the course so that learners know the careers options available to them.

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Significant progress

Trainers are well qualified with extensive sector expertise that they use well to help learners better understand what it is like to be an LGV driver. They effectively link course content to working in the industry, making it relevant and understandable for their learners. For example, they use their experiences to teach learners how to behave and react if involved in an accident and give useful advice such as indicating when turning before starting to brake. Monitoring visit: Western Driver Training Ltd, 11 and 12 December 2024

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have developed a culture where learners feel safe to raise any safeguarding or well-being concerns they have. Staff and learners know how to use the procedure for reporting safeguarding concerns. Leaders have appointed a designated safeguarding officer with suitable training and relevant experience for the role.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that those working with learners are suitable for this role. Trainers teach learners about the potential use of their vehicles in terrorist activity. However, trainers do not teach learners sufficiently well about the risks associated with radicalisation and extremism so that they remember how to keep themselves safe from these potential harms. Monitoring visit: Western Driver Training Ltd, 11 and 12 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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Reasonable progress

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

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