M and J Group (Construction and Roofing) Ltd

M and J Group (Construction and Roofing) Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Georgina Ager, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Address: Hammond Road Elms Farm Industrial Estate Bedford MK41 0UD Monitoring visit: M and J Group (Construction and Roofing) Limited, 12 and 13 March 2025

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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

M and J Group is a large national roofing refurbishment company in Bedford. Leaders started offering roofing apprenticeships as an employer provider in February 2024. Apprentices complete their training at the employer’s training centre in Bedford and work on construction sites in the local area. At the time of the visit, there were six apprentices studying level 2 roofer. They study the roof slater and tiler options. All apprentices were under the age of 19. A few were studying English functional skills.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a strong rationale for setting up their apprenticeship provision. They aim to train roofing specialists to have a rounded set of skills and work on both flat and pitched roofing. This meets the needs of their company and the construction sector.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have invested in high-quality training resources. Training managers work with apprentices in a well-equipped training centre. This includes a large practical workshop with several training rigs and roof structures. Training managers have the technical skills and relevant work experience needed to teach about pitch and flat roofing.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers closely monitor the roofing skills apprentices are developing. Where apprentices fall behind, training managers take action to help apprentices catch up. They provide extra one-to-one support to help apprentices improve their roofing skills.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a good understanding of the strengths and areas of improvement of their apprenticeship course. Following a few apprentices leaving their course early on, leaders have improved the induction apprentices receive. Leaders have Monitoring visit: M and J Group (Construction and Roofing) Limited, 12 and 13 March 2025 introduced a new apprenticeship handbook so that apprentices know what to expect when they start their apprenticeship and are more likely to remain in learning.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have not yet implemented sufficient quality assurance activities to monitor the quality of teaching. Training managers do not yet receive formal feedback on their training sessions to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders provide comprehensive information to those responsible for governance. This includes frequent reports on apprentices’ progress. Those responsible for governance have a good understanding of the progress apprentices are making. However, leaders do not receive sufficient external challenge on the quality of education.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have carefully thought about the order of their training. Apprentices first take accredited industry courses such as abrasive wheel safety training and working at height. They then learn about roofing structures and materials. Apprentices practise applying this knowledge in the training workshops by building small roof structures on training rigs. Apprentices quickly learn the basic principles of how to build types of roofs using a variety of materials and methods. They are thoroughly prepared to work on construction sites.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers use their expertise and experience very effectively to teach and support their apprentices. Apprentices quickly develop their technical skills. They become more independent in designing and building roofing rigs. They are more confident at snagging their work and rectifying issues. Apprentices develop their skills to a good standard.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have ensured that the activities apprentices complete in the training centre and on construction sites are planned and linked effectively. Training managers amend their training plans so apprentices can contribute to interesting and varied forthcoming workplace projects. Following training in the centre, apprentices worked on a block of flats to refurbish the roofs. This meant apprentices practised applying their flat roofing skills promptly.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders do not ensure that progress reviews and feedback to apprentices on their practical work and assessments are sufficiently linked to the apprenticeship standard. Staff do not set apprentices clear targets based on areas that they need to improve. Apprentices do not yet know what they should be working towards for their final assessments. Monitoring visit: M and J Group (Construction and Roofing) Limited, 12 and 13 March 2025

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have ensured that there are appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures in place. Staff working with apprentices are suitably trained in safeguarding.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders complete thorough risk assessments before apprentices work in the training centre and on construction sites. Apprentices learn how to work at height safely. They know the dangers of working with materials such as asbestos.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices understand the principles and the importance of safeguarding. They feel safe at the training centre and on construction sites. They know who to contact if they have any concerns about their safety or well-being. However, apprentices do not have a good understanding of local safeguarding risks and the risks of radicalisation. Monitoring visit: M and J Group (Construction and Roofing) Limited, 12 and 13 March 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

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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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