The Skills Partnership Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of The Skills Partnership Limited

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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Information about this provider

The Skills Partnership Limited is a national independent learning provider. The head office is in Reading. The Skills Partnership specialises in apprenticeships in facilities management, protective services and passenger transport. At the time of inspection, there were 292 apprentices across the UK, including 107 level 3 facilities management supervisor, 49 level 4 facilities manager and 46 level 2 facilities service operative. Eighteen apprentices were aged 16 to 18 years old. 17 to 20 June 2025

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

Apprentices enjoy their learning. They share their experiences confidently, and tutors create a respectful environment as others listen. Apprentices are eager to learn and develop the skills they need for their next steps.

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

Apprentices learn new knowledge, skills and behaviours which they apply confidently in the workplace. Level 2 facilities services operative apprentices are given more responsibility such as analysing data and producing daily client reports. They improve their practical skills such as managing evacuation drills over time.

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

Apprentices benefit from the positive relationships staff build with employers. Tutors manage review meetings skilfully so that apprentices reflect on their prior learning and set targets for ongoing on- and off-the-job training. Line managers understand the progress that apprentices make and what apprentices need to do in the workplace to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours. For example, level 3 team leader apprentices meet with and shadow engineers to see how risk assessments are created. However, in a small number of cases, leaders do not make sure that employers fulfil their commitments in supporting and enabling apprentices to complete and achieve their programmes.

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

Tutors support apprentices well to develop the skills they need for their future. Apprentices are encouraged to conduct independent reading and challenging assignments. In review meetings, they are prompted to approach different people at work to get shadowing and mentoring opportunities. They learn how to overcome barriers such as shyness, persevere with difficult tasks and become more resilient and confident.

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

Apprentices feel safe and are safe. They know how to keep safe online. Younger apprentices value the frequent check-ins on their well-being from staff. Apprentices know how and who to report any concerns if they arise.

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better?

Leaders have designed curriculums that are logically planned and sequenced so learning builds on what apprentices know and can do. Level 3 facilities management supervisor apprentices learn about sustainability legislation before applying this knowledge to create new net-zero projects in the workplace. Level 4 facilities manager apprentices learn people management skills that help them lead cleaning teams. They learn technical skills to oversee and plan operations and learn project and financial management skills that help them select and manage subcontractors.

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better?

Apprentices benefit from a range of useful teaching and learning activities in online workshops that help them to learn. Most tutors have suitable expertise in online teaching, which they apply well. They use group discussions, video clips, breakout rooms, role plays and trainer demonstrations to embed knowledge through practising and repetition of key concepts. Tutors communicate clearly, recap prior 17 to 20 June 2025

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learning carefully and check understanding thoroughly using suitable techniques such as online polls and encouraging use of the chat functions. As a result, apprentices learn and remember key concepts quickly and successfully.

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Those apprentices who complete their programme pass their final assessment, often with merit and distinction grades. Leaders rightly recognise that too many apprentices leave their programme early before successful completion. They have put in place additional support to help apprentices who fall behind catch up. These actions are starting to reduce the number of apprentices leaving early, but it is too soon to assess the full impact.

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Staff prepare apprentices well for their next steps because they are more confident and have developed the personal and professional skills they need to be successful. Tutors support apprentices well with applications for internal promotions. Many apprentices gain more responsibility and promotion while still on their programmes.

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Staff support most apprentices with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well. For example, tutors give apprentices with dyslexia extra sessions to help them understand text that they struggle with. Tutors provide apprentices with tools and strategies such as using text to read, grammar checks and word count to help with proofreading and improving their work. As a result, apprentices with SEND achieve well and in line with their peers.

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Apprentices benefit from frequent, useful discussions about career aspirations in workshops, reviews and tutorials from suitably qualified staff. They understand well the various career routes available to them when they have completed their apprenticeship. Staff support apprentices to understand how to take care of their mental and physical health. They discuss the importance of a healthy work-life balance, taking breaks, eating well and doing exercise. Staff sensibly teach 16- to 18-year-old apprentices about important topics, including sex and relationships. Leaders recognise that this teaching is not conducted in a systematic way to ensure that all young apprentices learn about these important topics early in their programme.

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Governors use their highly relevant expertise to support, challenge and guide leaders to provide high-quality training and have a positive impact on the businesses they serve. Governors have a strong understanding of apprentices’ progress and achievements. They work with leaders to develop the curriculums to meet employers’ needs. Governors have close oversight of the actions that leaders take to improve outcomes.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Increase further the proportion of apprentices who achieve their qualifications. 17 to 20 June 2025

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 Provide younger apprentices with a planned personal development curriculum that develops their understanding of healthy lifestyles and relationships. 17 to 20 June 2025

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Provider details

Address 9 Greyfriars Road Reading RG1 1NU

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent James Bishop

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection February 2020

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Provider details

Main subcontractors None 17 to 20 June 2025

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the managing director, 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

Jo-Ann Henderson, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Emma Leavey His Majesty’s Inspector Claudia Harrison His Majesty’s Inspector Viki Faulkner His Majesty’s Inspector Richard Kirkham His Majesty’s Inspector Alex Warner Ofsted Inspector Jaswant Mann Ofsted Inspector 17 to 20 June 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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