HGV Training Services Limited

HGV Training Service Limited Monitoring visit report

p.1

Name of lead inspector: Paul Manning, His Majesty’s Inspector

p.1

Inspection dates: 15 and 16 January 2025

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address: Unit 5 Apollo Studios Charlton King’s Road Kentish Town London NW5 2SB Monitoring visit: HGV Training Service Limited, 15 and 16 January 2025

p.1

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.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

HGV Training Services Limited (HGVT) is a large independent learning provider based in Kentish Town in north west London. HGVT began offering commercial courses in 2015 and has grown to become one of the largest providers of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) and large goods vehicles (LGV) training in the UK. In December 2021, HGVT gained funding from the Department of Education to deliver HGV Skills Bootcamps. HGVT work with 15 subcontractors across the country.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

At the time of the monitoring visit, there were 1,119 learners enrolled on Skills Bootcamps leading to HGV or LGV licences.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear rationale for the HGV Skills Bootcamp training they provide. They aim to fill the long-standing national shortage for skilled and qualified drivers. Leaders work with employers effectively to recruit employees from within their organisations to complete the training. For example, they make sure employers and learners are aware that they have to pass a medical before being issued a provisional licence.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders work effectively with over 500 small and large national employers in the logistics industry to upskill their workforce. They work closely with the sector and subcontracting partners to provide relevant industry standard training in sites across the UK. Partners and employers speak highly of the service provided by HGVT.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders provide a range of frequent continual professional development opportunities for staff. For example, at monthly staff meetings, teaching staff are informed about changes to legislation and seasonal specific topics such as safe driving in the winter months. Monitoring visit: HGV Training Service Limited, 15 and 16 January 2025 Leaders monitor effectively the quality of the training which their partners provide. For example, they visit partners to check the quality of training, speak with learners and review pass rates. Leaders take effective actions to improve the training they offer when they identify areas for improvement. Because of these actions, the number of learners completing their training and obtaining jobs has improved and is high. However, too few learners from the first two cohorts of learners remained on their course or successfully passed their theory and/or practical test.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders have set up an effective board of non-executive directors. Non-executive directors understand well the provider’s strengths and areas to improve. They use their expertise in management accounts and business development to support and challenge leaders effectively.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Staff assess learners’ vocational knowledge and support needs effectively at the beginning of their course. They use this information to adapt training plans effectively. However, they do not assess learners’ knowledge and skills in the use of English and mathematics sufficiently. As a result, some learners who speak English as an additional language struggle to read and understand the online resources used to prepare learners for their theory tests.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Leaders plan the courses effectively so that learners gain the practical and theory knowledge necessary to complete their training. Leaders have developed a range of helpful online resources to support learners to acquire the knowledge they need before they begin their practical training. Instructors integrate online and face-to- face training well so that learners can apply the theoretical knowledge to their practical training. For example, learners use their understanding of the height and weight of vehicles to plan journeys without restrictions.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Instructors are industry experts. They use their knowledge to plan interesting and relevant learning activities. Instructors who teach the practical component of the course demonstrate driving an HGV very effectively. They provide useful commentary on what they are doing and why. Learners then apply, on routes of increasing complexity, what they have observed when driving the vehicle. Learners enjoy their training. They become more confident in completing increasingly challenging manoeuvres such as reversing around corners or into tight restricted areas.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Staff track learners’ progress thoroughly through all aspects of their training. They monitor learners’ completion of online learning activities and provide additional support that helps those struggling to catch up effectively. For example, instructors Monitoring visit: HGV Training Service Limited, 15 and 16 January 2025 provide additional face-to-face teaching at learners’ employer’s sites. Timely completion rates of learners have improved and are high.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Leaders have suitable policies and procedures in place to make sure that learners are safe. They recruit and train staff appropriately and assure themselves that they are suitable to work with their learners.

p.4

Reasonable progress

The designated safeguarding lead is suitably trained. Leaders have appropriate processes in place to report and record safeguarding cases. They make sure that safeguarding cases are dealt with quickly and effectively. Leaders understand their responsibilities under the ‘Prevent’ duty. However, links with local authority safeguarding officers and ‘Prevent’ duty coordinators are not yet established.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Learners feel safe during practical and online training sessions. They know how to report any concerns. However, most learners do not recall receiving information about the risks associated with radicalisation and extremist views. Consequently, too few learners can identify the potential risks of being influenced by someone with extremist views. Monitoring visit: HGV Training Service Limited, 15 and 16 January 2025 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

p.4

Reasonable progress

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

Reasonable progress

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Reasonable progress

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Reasonable progress

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

p.5