Betterweld Group Ltd

Betterweld Group Ltd Monitoring visit report

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

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Inspection dates: 21 and 22 January 2025

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Address:

3a Bradley Park High Holborn Road Ripley DE5 3NW Monitoring visit: Betterweld Group Ltd, 21 and 22 January 2025

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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

Betterweld Group Limited is a national independent training provider, based in Derby. Leaders offer Skills Bootcamps to teach coded welding, with their first cohort starting in September 2024. At the time of inspection, there were 11 adult learners studying a seven-week face-to-face course comprised of practical and theory lessons.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have designed the Skills Bootcamp to train unemployed learners to become qualified welders. They collaborate well with Jobcentres and provide support, such as bus transport funding, to make the course accessible to learners.

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Reasonable progress

Learners value the high-quality resources and suitable workspaces, including well- equipped classrooms and acoustic welding bays, that they learn in. All learners benefit from personal protective equipment, such as safety boots, visors and gloves.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders plan the course carefully, so that learners develop practical and employability skills swiftly. They incorporate useful accredited qualifications, such as the level 2 national vocational qualification (NVQ) in fabrication and welding and the international standard for organisation (ISO) 9606 certificate, to ensure learners are job ready.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders work closely with employers to align the course with industry needs and plan to provide additional training after the course for specific skills required by employers, such as training in TIG welding.

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Reasonable progress

Staff have substantial industry experience and suitable qualifications to deliver the course. Leaders invest in ongoing professional development for instructors, such as teacher training courses. It is too early to see the full impact of these. Leaders use Monitoring visit: Betterweld Group Ltd, 21 and 22 January 2025 their relationship with a local college to provide additional support for staff and opportunities for peer learning.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have suitable quality assurance arrangements are in place, with thorough internal verification policies. They have appropriate links in place to provide them with external scrutiny and leaders use this to improve provision. Leaders plan to enhance employer links for future developments, though the impact is yet to be seen.

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Reasonable progress

Employers highly value the course, they report that learners are well prepared, motivated, and highly suitable for their roles.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders organise the course content logically. Learners study health and safety, equipment introduction and tool maintenance first. They develop their new knowledge and practical skills quickly, progressing from basic welding techniques to more complex tasks, like T-fillet joints and working with thicker materials. Learners demonstrate confidence in their work, even after just a few days on the course.

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Reasonable progress

Learners receive tailored training to meet their individual career aspirations. Those interested in heavy materials or underwater welding receive specialised training in vertical and stick welding.

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Reasonable progress

Staff integrate mathematics very effectively throughout the course, they help learners to build confidence in applying mathematical skills to real-world tasks, such as reading engineering drawings and interpreting symbols. Leaders rightly recognise that there is more to do, to develop learners English and writing skills while on the course.

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Reasonable progress

Instructors provide clear and constructive feedback, boosting learners’ confidence and skill levels. The quality of work produced by learners is appropriate for their study level, enabling them to gain employment successfully.

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Reasonable progress

Learners receive useful pre-course information and guidance, which ensures they understand course expectations and pathways into employment. This guidance helps learners, especially those previously unemployed, develop essential skills, like attendance, punctuality, independence and self-motivation. Support for learners with additional needs, such as dyslexia, is appropriate.

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Reasonable progress

Learners greatly value the support and opportunities provided by the course, often describing it as ‘life-changing’ and feeling more positive about their future. There is a clear line of sight for learners to progress to study a level 3 apprenticeship after the Monitoring visit: Betterweld Group Ltd, 21 and 22 January 2025 course. The course also includes useful employability days, CV writing workshops, and opportunities for learners to interact with employers through lectures and site visits. All learners from the first two cohorts have either been interviewed or have interviews planned.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders are aware of their duties to ensure the safety of their learners. They have implemented suitable policies and procedures appropriate for the adult learners they work with. They have thorough health and safety processes that reflect the dangerous environment that learners work in. Learners feel safe and have an excellent knowledge of health and safety that they practise consistently well.

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Reasonable progress

The designated safeguarding lead is suitably qualified. Staff undergo relevant training to ensure they can recognise and report incidents if they occur.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have an appropriate ‘Prevent’ duty risk assessment in place and understand localised risks. Learners have a reasonable understanding of the risks around radicalisation and extremism. Monitoring visit: Betterweld Group Ltd, 21 and 22 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 and child protection.

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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 .

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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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