Compass Skills Training Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of Compass Skills Training Limited

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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Information about this provider

Compass Skills Training Limited is an independent learning provider based in Chorley, Lancashire. At the time of inspection, there were 163 apprentices enrolled on seven apprenticeships in risk and health and safety compliance. There were 71 apprentices at level 3, 45 at level 4, six at level 6 and 41 at level 7. Apprentices are based across the UK and almost all apprentices are aged 19 and over. Teaching is online with additional support sessions available at the provider’s base in Chorley. The provider suspended the recruitment of any new apprentices following instructions from the Department for Education in September 2024.

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Information about this provider

The provider works with two subcontractors. Heriot-Watt University teach the Master’s degree as part of the level 7 risk and safety management professional apprenticeship. The Engineers Academy teach the Higher National Certificate in mechanical engineering to apprentices studying the level 4 engineer surveyor apprenticeship. 15 to 18 July 2025

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

Apprentices are well motivated and enjoy their learning. They present their ideas clearly and are respectful when challenging the views of others. Apprentices follow professional online etiquette. They have cameras on and raise their hands to ask questions. Apprentices attend regularly and arrive punctually for lessons.

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

Apprentices develop a broad range of skills and improve their confidence. Fire safety inspector apprentices identify, diffuse and manage conflict situations. Engineer surveyor apprentices learn how to have difficult conversations with staff about taking equipment out of commission. Most apprentices complete additional qualifications in areas such as environmental awareness, evacuation drills, compartmentation and fire stopping.

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

Apprentices attend weekly workshops to support their personal and professional development. Workshops cover topics such as money management, substance awareness and healthy relationships. Most apprentices participate in opportunities beyond their apprenticeship. For example, fire safety inspector apprentices visit football stadiums to review their fire safety processes.

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

Apprentices feel safe when working online and in the workplace. Most have a clear understanding of fundamental British Values, and the risks associated with radicalisation and extremism. Apprentices apply their learning at work when dealing with vulnerable people in their homes. They know how to identify risks of harm such as physical abuse, neglect and modern slavery.

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better?

Leaders acknowledge that when they started to offer apprenticeships, they did not recruit apprentices carefully enough or ensure that employers fully understood the commitment required. As a result, far too many apprentices withdrew from their apprenticeship early. Leaders have improved key aspects of their provision, and most remaining apprentices are on track to achieve. However, there are still some inconsistencies in the quality of training.

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better?

As experts in their field, leaders have a clear rationale for offering apprenticeships in risk and health and safety. Leaders help employers in a range of sectors fill employment gaps. Apprentices audit premises, advise on safety requirements and inspect the fire safety of commercial and residential premises.

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better?

Tutors sequence curriculums logically. Level 3 safety, health and environment apprentices first learn about the roles of health and safety professionals. They then start their professional membership journey becoming members of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. Finally, they move to more complex aspects such as reporting, business cases and analysing data and information. 15 to 18 July 2025

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Leaders recruit qualified tutors with experience of working in relevant disciplines. Tutors use their expertise effectively. They provide apprentices with relevant examples and scenarios, such as dust fires in a flour factory to help them apply theory to workplace practices.

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Tutors do not identify what apprentices already know and can do at the start of their apprenticeship, nor do they use this to inform their teaching. On the level 3 fire safety advisor apprenticeship, several apprentices who work in the fire sector already have knowledge of inspection and enforcement. These apprentices follow the same curriculum as their peers and do not develop substantial new knowledge and skills.

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Tutors mostly use assessment strategies effectively. They include dedicated time at the beginning and end of each lesson to check apprentices’ learning. However, level 3 fire safety advisor tutors rely on open questioning. As only a few apprentices respond, they do not gauge how secure apprentices’ knowledge and understanding is.

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Tutors mostly provide developmental feedback to help apprentices to understand what they do well and what they need to do to improve. However, on level 3 fire safety advisor and level 4 engineer surveyor apprenticeships, tutors do not explain how apprentices can further improve their work. When they review apprentices’ progress, tutors do not fully explore how apprentices’ knowledge, skills and behaviours are developing.

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Apprentices are not prepared early enough in their apprenticeship for their final assessments. Most level 7 apprentices are unclear about what their final assessment will entail or the grades they can achieve. A few employers are not fully aware of the requirements of the final assessment or how to support apprentices.

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Tutors support apprentices to improve their English and mathematics skills. They write professional reports for clients, measure stair and door widths and check occupancy levels of properties. Just over two thirds of apprentices who study functional skills achieve their qualifications on the first attempt.

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Tutors provide apprentices with useful careers information. Apprentices are aware of further employment opportunities in a range of sectors. Apprentices discuss their career plans within their own organisations and gain increased responsibilities.

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Tutors hold introductory teaching qualifications and leaders provide termly training to further develop tutors’ teaching skills. Leaders undertake appropriate quality assurance activities. They observe tutors’ lessons and make effective use of feedback from apprentices and employers. However, there remain a few areas for improvement in the quality of training. Most training apprentices receive from the university is via pre-recorded presentations. Leaders know apprentices struggle with this, so they provide weekly study groups to support them. 15 to 18 July 2025

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Leaders have recently appointed external governors to provide scrutiny and challenge. Governors hold leaders to account and monitor closely the impact of their actions on the quality of training.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Provide developmental feedback to apprentices so that they know how to improve their work.  Make sure apprentices and their employers understand the requirements of the final assessment earlier in the apprenticeship.  Increase the number of apprentices who remain in learning and achieve their apprenticeship. 15 to 18 July 2025

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Provider details

Address Compass House Canal Side Cowling Business Park Chorley PR6 0QL

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 1 to 4 August 2023

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Main subcontractors

The Engineers Academy Heriot-Watt University 15 to 18 July 2025

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the 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

Helen Whelan, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Jaqui Scott Ofsted Inspector Suzanne Horner His Majesty’s Inspector Zoe Ibbotson His Majesty’s Inspector Alison Humphreys His Majesty’s Inspector 15 to 18 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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