Errigal Contracts Limited

Errigal Contracts Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Claudia Harrison, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Address:

35 Lascars Avenue Royal Albert Dock Newham London E16 2YP Monitoring visit: Errigal Contracts Limited, 13 and 14 August 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 Department for Education 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

Errigal Contracts Limited is an employer provider with a training centre in Newham, London. Errigal Contracts Limited operates on construction sites across the country. Leaders started offering apprenticeships in January 2024. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were 26 apprentices studying the level 2 interior systems installer apprenticeship standard. Fewer than 5 of these apprentices were aged between 16 and 18 years old.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have selected a curriculum that meets the needs of the construction industry for skilled interior construction workers. Leaders and managers have considerable expertise in the sector, which they use well to inform curriculum development.

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Reasonable progress

The curriculum is ambitious. Apprentices gain additional qualifications as well as the apprenticeship standard. As part of the extra qualifications, staff teach about wall casings, taping, jointing and skimming. Apprentices gain knowledge that is valuable for their career progression and that widens their skills. Additionally, many apprentices go beyond the basics by working towards skills competitions. Apprentices’ line managers are pleased with the relevant skills that their employees rapidly acquire during their training.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have invested well in high-quality resources. Apprentices have access to bespoke bays in industry standard workshops, where they learn using equipment and materials that match those they use on site. Staff provide apprentices with tools and travel costs to get to the training academy. Apprentices have the resources they need to succeed at work and in their training.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have a sound understanding of most of the strengths and Monitoring visit: Errigal Contracts Limited, 13 and 14 August 2025 areas for improvement across the apprenticeship. For example, early in the provision, leaders recognised that too many apprentices withdrew from their apprenticeship. Leaders and managers amended recruitment and induction processes, which has contributed to better retention of apprentices in recent months.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders with responsibility for governance have the information they need to make informed strategic decisions about most areas of the provision. Leaders acknowledge that there is not enough governance expertise to monitor, challenge and support them fully about the quality of teaching apprentices receive and the provision for learners with additional learning needs.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors have structured the curriculum logically. They introduce apprentices to essential foundation skills and knowledge early in the course, which align well with workplace expectations. For example, apprentices learn how to measure and cut around sockets early in their course, which is a skill they need during the first stages of installation projects. They quickly learn to measure with accuracy and rapidly gain experience working with a range of tools.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors are highly experienced in the industry. They use their subject knowledge effectively in their teaching. They explain new concepts and reinforce technical terminology well. Tutors test apprentices’ understanding well. Before practical sessions, tutors recap theory and check that apprentices understand their risk assessments. Apprentices can remember how to work safely and confidently in workshops, using tools like hop-up stools and drills appropriately.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors conduct frequent workplace visits, working well with line managers to create opportunities for apprentices to apply their learning. Apprentices quickly gain confidence in tasks, such as boarding, jointing and constructing ceilings. However, tutors do not use the feedback from line managers about apprentices’ progress well enough to set apprentices meaningful targets.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and tutors plan frequent assessments that replicate those that apprentices will take at the end of their training. Tutors monitor apprentices’ results well to identify gaps in their knowledge. They retest apprentices when needed. Apprentices are well prepared and know what to expect in their final assessments.

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Reasonable progress

Staff assess apprentices’ existing vocational knowledge and skills when they start the course. However, they do not check well enough apprentices’ levels in English and mathematics, or whether apprentices have additional learning needs. They do not introduce teaching in English and mathematics for young apprentices who require Monitoring visit: Errigal Contracts Limited, 13 and 14 August 2025 qualifications in these subjects early enough. As a result, some apprentices struggle with mental arithmetic when they complete practical tasks, such as calculating measurements.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have introduced suitable safeguarding policies and processes. Designated safeguarding leads are appropriately trained for their roles. Apprentices know how to report safeguarding issues. They feel safe.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers instil a strong culture of health and safety compliance. Apprentices have a daily toolbox briefing about specific risks, contextualised to their site. They understand very well how to stay safe at work.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers understand their obligations under the ‘Prevent’ duty and have developed a suitably contextualised risk assessment. However, staff do not teach apprentices well enough about how to keep themselves safe from the dangers of radicalisation and extremism. Monitoring visit: Errigal Contracts Limited, 13 and 14 August 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 and child protection.

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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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