The National Logistics Academy

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of The National Logistics Academy Ltd

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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 National Logistics Academy Ltd is an independent learning provider based in Manchester. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mantra Learning Limited, which is an established independent training provider. The academy provides apprenticeships for the logistics industry.

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Information about this provider

Most training is via live online masterclasses. The academy works with a supply chain of subcontractors across the country for approximately two-fifths of the provision. Subcontractors provide practical driver training for the level 2 large goods vehicle (LGV) and urban driver apprenticeships.

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Information about this provider

At the time of the inspection, there were 173 apprentices enrolled at the academy. Just over half of apprentices studied at level 2, with most apprentices on LGV or urban driver apprenticeships. At level 3, most apprentices were studying the transport and warehouse operations supervisor apprenticeship. 7 to 10 July 2025

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

Apprentices value and enjoy their training. Staff create positive learning environments, where questions are encouraged, and success is celebrated. Apprentices are keen to share their knowledge and skills with their peers and colleagues.

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

Apprentices become self-assured, skilled communicators as a result of their training. Traffic operator apprentices review tachographs to calculate and monitor driver compliance accurately. They can explain to drivers the specific rules regarding breaks and rest periods. Apprentices hold challenging conversations respectfully to ensure that colleagues adhere to exacting regulatory requirements.

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

Apprentices gain the theoretical knowledge and practical skills that they need to become transport and logistics professionals. LGV apprentices work with experienced drivers to acquire effective driving techniques. Apprentices learn how to check schedules, complete delivery logs and undertake vehicle inspection checks effectively. This prepares apprentices well for when they gain their licences so that they can move seamlessly into driving set routes.

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

Apprentices feel safe in the workplace and online. Staff and guest speakers alert them to trends in freight and cargo crime. Apprentices are taught the importance of being vigilant and the steps that they can take to minimise risk. They know how to search vehicle exteriors and interiors and how to secure vehicles safely.

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better?

Leaders design ambitious curriculums that meet skills needs for the transport, haulage, and logistics sector across the country. They work closely with employers and training providers to sequence apprentices’ training carefully. Leaders plan early opportunities for transport and warehouse operations supervisor apprentices to attain the certificate of professional competence. This enables apprentices to achieve the accreditation that they need to work as transport managers.

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better?

Leaders recruit staff with significant experience of working in the logistics sector. Training staff and development coaches use their expertise adeptly to contextualise apprentices’ training. Tutors who teach the urban driver apprenticeship explain clearly how technology contributes positively to environmental and economic sustainability. Apprentices are taught how to calculate fuel efficiency and how telematics is used to reduce fuel consumption. They understand the importance of planning cost-effective routes using the correct vehicle for the load. Apprentices are prepared well for their roles in goods transportation.

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better?

Tutors mostly use assessment and questioning techniques effectively to check how well apprentices recall what they have learned. They check systematically apprentices’ understanding and help them to remember long term the content that they have learned. However, in masterclasses, tutors at times do not check 7 to 10 July 2025

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apprentices’ understanding well enough before moving on to further content. In a few instances, tutors do not give apprentices enough time to answer the questions they pose. This means that apprentices forgo opportunities to remedy any misconceptions that they may have.

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Tutors mostly provide timely and useful feedback to apprentices that helps them to improve the quality of their work. However, in a few instances, feedback is cursory. In these instances, apprentices do not know precisely what they need to do to improve their work further.

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Most apprentices who complete their apprenticeship achieve their qualifications. Around half of LGV apprentices achieve distinction grades. Just over half of transport and warehouse operations supervisor apprentices achieve the highest grade in their final project. However, too few transport and warehouse operations supervisor apprentices achieve their apprenticeship in the planned timescale.

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Apprentices receive helpful information about how to lead a healthy lifestyle. Staff teach apprentices topics, such as gambling addiction, sexual harassment, and substance misuse. Apprentices know how their performance can be impaired by drugs or alcohol. They appreciate that staff contextualise these topics so that they have relevance to their personal and professional lives.

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Leaders and employers provide opportunities for apprentices to complete qualifications in addition to the apprenticeship standard. LGV apprentices undertake scissor lift and traffic light system training. Apprentices who achieve zero faults on their practical driving test are offered hazardous goods training. This means that apprentices gain the additional qualifications that they need for their roles. They gain additional responsibilities and promotions in the workplace as a direct result of their training.

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Most apprentices benefit from meaningful opportunities to learn about potential career opportunities. International freight forwarding apprentices study a multimodal international freight procedures qualification. This means that apprentices gain a wider awareness of air, sea, road, or rail career pathways. However, there are inconsistencies in the quality of the careers advice and guidance that apprentices receive across the apprenticeship standards.

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Leaders and managers undertake appropriate quality assurance activities to ensure an accurate oversight of the quality of training that apprentices receive, including subcontracted provision. They know the strengths of their provision and take action to remedy any weaknesses.

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Governors possess considerable experience of working in logistics, leadership, finance, human resources, and education. They use their expertise ably to provide support and challenge that leads to improvement. 7 to 10 July 2025

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Improve the consistency of careers information and guidance that apprentices receive.  Reduce the proportion of apprentices who achieve past their planned end date, specifically on the level 3 transport and warehouse operations supervisor apprenticeship.  Improve the quality of assessment and feedback so that apprentices know precisely what they need to do to improve. 7 to 10 July 2025

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Provider details

Address Greengate, Middleton Manchester M24 1RU

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Mark Currie

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 10 to 13 March 2020

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Main subcontractors

Apex Training Centres (UK) Ltd Automotive Transport Training Ltd Eli Group GTG Training Hughes Driver Training JLD Driver Training Ltd Lancaster Training Services Ltd Mantra Learning Limited MT Training Services National Driving Centre Teesside LGV Training Ltd Viamaster Training Ltd Wallace School of Transport Limited Yeovil Driver Training Ltd 2 Start Ltd 7 to 10 July 2025

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the chief executive, 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

Zoe Ibbotson, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Maura Cummins Ofsted Inspector Alex Lang Ofsted Inspector Ian Frear His Majesty’s Inspector Alastair Mollon His Majesty’s Inspector 7 to 10 July 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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