Digital Telecoms Network Academy Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of Digital Telecoms Network Academy Limited

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Adult learning programmes Good Apprenticeships Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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Information about this provider

Digital Telecommunications Network Academy Limited provides adult learning programmes and Skills Bootcamps at its centre in Stockton-on-Tees. It also provides apprenticeships in level 2 telecommunications field operative and level 2 highways maintenance skilled operative. Adult learners study short level 2 telecommunications engineer courses.

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Information about this provider

Over the course of the academic year, more than 150 learners had enrolled on adult learning courses and Skills Bootcamps. At the time of the inspection, there were 22 apprentices and eight learners on adult learning courses. There were no learners on Skills Bootcamps at the time of the inspection. 6 to 8 May 2025

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Learners and apprentices have very positive attitudes and enjoy their training. They attend well and are fully ready to learn at the start of each day. Learners work together industriously with an appropriate sense of urgency, and demonstrate highly professional work attitudes throughout their time with the provider. They are very keen to ask questions and understand more about the telecommunications industry.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices quickly develop highly sought after knowledge and skills and become valuable employees. Almost all apprentices complete their apprenticeship and achieve a distinction grade.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Leaders provide extensive opportunities for learners and apprentices to extend their knowledge, skills and behaviours beyond the curriculum. Learners and apprentices undertake industry-recognised accreditations, including overhead and underground surveying, underground sub duct and cable installation, installation of overhead cables and pole stepping on congested telegraph poles.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Learners and apprentices quickly grow in confidence. As they progress through their course, they recognise that the skills they are learning are helping them to gain careers in the telecommunications sector. As the course progresses, learners achieve at least two industry accreditations per week and develop a wide range of engineering skills that are attractive to employers.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Learners and apprentices feel safe and well supported and know who to contact should they have any concerns. They appreciate the time that staff take to talk about their welfare throughout the training and value the numerous sources of information they can access on topics such as male suicide and staying healthy in the telecommunications industry. They learn valuable safe working practices that they then use in the workplace, such as working in underground pits and at height.

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better?

Leaders have a clear purpose for their provision, which is to work with unemployed adults, apprentices and adults needing to upskill in the workplace. Leaders provide learners and apprentices with the knowledge and skills that they need for the constantly developing telecommunications and cabling industry. They work closely with employers and sector bodies to design courses that meet local and national requirements. Courses focus on underground and overhead cabling for telecommunications networks using copper and fibre optic cabling.

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better?

Tutors sequence the curriculum effectively for learners and apprentices. Apprentices first learn about underground and overhead safety, basic first aid, safe working in single dwelling units and manual handing. They then progress to applying these skills in street works training, including using correct signage. Learners first develop an awareness of the industry by practising basic cable splicing skills and learning 6 to 8 May 2025

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about the various telecommunications systems, before progressing swiftly to develop safe installation practices and gain the required industry accreditations.

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Tutors have extensive industry knowledge and expertise in the subjects that they teach. They use their knowledge and experience to deliver good-quality training to adult learners and apprentices. Tutors only teach in their specialist subjects, such as underground telecommunications and overhead installation. This ensures that learners gain the specific knowledge and skills that they need in each subject.

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Learners and apprentices train in well-equipped industry-standard training environments. For example, learners practise connecting cables to a simulated telegraph pole top in lessons. They practise feeding cable, accessing cable and splitting wires with appropriate tooling. This prepares learners well for working at height on telegraph poles.

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Tutors use effective teaching strategies, including simple demonstrations, to teach learners and apprentices. For example, they use a plastic ruler and cardboard box to demonstrate the basics of ladder angles related to working at height safely. Tutors demonstrate the correct techniques for stripping flat cables compared to round cables and the importance of using lubricant for feeding cables into a congested network junction. Learners then practise these techniques and develop their skills quickly.

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Tutors mostly use assessment methods effectively to check learners’ knowledge and skills. They use methods such as visual assessment in practical sessions, supported by verbal feedback, to help improve learners’ practical skills and multiple-choice examinations. However, a few tutors do not check learners’ understanding before moving on to the next part of often-complex topics, such as health and safety legislation, to ensure that learners’ knowledge is secure.

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Most learners complete their training, and over two thirds secure employment. Learners who enrol on Skills Bootcamps complete these, and a high proportion either progress in their job roles or gain employment.

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Tutors provide learners and apprentices with helpful guidance on careers in the telecommunications industry, including their earning potential. Tutors ensure that apprentices know the employment options available on completion of the qualification. They provide apprentices with comprehensive information on jobs they can progress to, including offshore and underwater cabling.

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Tutors do not develop learners’ and apprentices’ understanding of the risks associated with radicalisation and extremism well enough. They provide information for learners and apprentices at the initial stages of their courses but do not revisit this enough in their teaching. As a result, a few learners and apprentices struggle to remember the content.

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Board members have a clear overview of the strengths and areas for improvement at the provider. They keep in close contact with leaders and managers on a weekly 6 to 8 May 2025

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basis and receive helpful reports on the progress that learners and apprentices make, and the quality of training received. Board members ensure that leaders and managers take appropriate actions to make improvements wherever necessary. Leaders work closely with industry experts who provide helpful advice on developments in the telecommunications sector and on health and safety in the high-risk telecommunications sector.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Make sure that tutors use consistently effective assessment activities in lessons.  Support learners and apprentices to develop a thorough understanding of the risks of radicalisation and extremism. 6 to 8 May 2025

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Provider details

Address DTN Academy 1 Wylam Court, Westland Way Stockton-on-Tees TS18 3FB

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Geoff Wilson

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 17 to 20 September 2019

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Provider details

Main subcontractors Not applicable 6 to 8 May 2025

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the quality manager, as nominee. Inspectors took account of the provider’s most recent self-assessment report and development plans, and the previous inspection report. The inspection was carried out using the further education and skills inspection handbook and took into account all relevant provision at the provider. Inspectors collected a wide range of evidence to inform judgements, including visiting learning sessions, scrutinising learners’ work, seeking the views of learners, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider’s documentation and records.

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Inspection team

Jonny Wright, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Ian Frear His Majesty’s Inspector Glenise Burrell His Majesty’s Inspector 6 to 8 May 2025

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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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