Vertex Company UK 1 Limited

Vertex Company UK 1 Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Emma Leavey, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 29 and 30 October 2025

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Honda Motor Europe Academy Cain Road Bracknell Berkshire RG12 1HL Monitoring visit: Vertex Company UK 1 Limited, 29 and 30 October 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 Education and Skills Funding Agency 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

Vertex Company UK 1 Limited, trading as Vertex Professional Services, is an independent training provider based in Bracknell, Berkshire. It trains apprentice technicians to work in car and motorcycle dealerships across England. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were 88 apprentices, of which 37 were studying level 3 motorcycle technician (repair and maintenance), 35 were studying level 2 autocare technician and 16 were studying level 3 motor vehicle and maintenance technician apprenticeships. The remaining apprentices were studying level 2 customer service practitioner. Thirty-four apprentices were aged 16 to 18 years old.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have worked closely with industry specialists to create ambitious courses that meet the requirements of apprenticeships fully. They have successfully created programmes that support apprentices in developing specialist knowledge and skills, which additionally help apprentices in their personal development. Apprentices have valuable opportunities to develop their professional behaviours, for example participating in the ‘Honda Challenge’, a residential training event where apprentices develop skills such as teamwork and problem-solving.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders recruit experienced and specialist training staff successfully. They provide staff with useful training that helps trainers remain vocationally up to date and develop high-quality teaching skills.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders provide apprentices with highly specialist training workshops and resources which closely match those that apprentices use in their workplaces. This helps apprentices gain expertise effectively and supports them to apply their learning at work quickly. Leaders use their close relationships with Honda to make sure that Monitoring visit: Vertex Company UK 1 Limited, 29 and 30 October 2025 resources and equipment are kept up to date, so apprentices are knowledgeable and experienced in newer technologies such as hybrid engines.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have developed an experienced and knowledgeable board of governors that includes apprentice representatives. Governors have an appropriate oversight of the provision and challenge leaders effectively to improve the experience and outcomes for apprentices to the highest standards.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and governors know the strengths and areas for improvement in the provision well. However, in some cases, leaders’ plans are not sufficiently specific or measurable to evaluate the impact on the quality of provision.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and staff have designed and sequenced the curriculum logically. Apprentices studying motorcycle technician start by learning basic and generic engineering skills before applying these to working on motorcycles. Staff carefully use a range of training activities which help apprentices become increasingly technically proficient and develop their engineering skills. Staff help apprentices complete additional training on Honda systems and processes to help them contribute to their workplaces. As a result of their training, most apprentices achieve their apprenticeship, take on more responsibility at work and gain sustained employment on completion.

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Reasonable progress

Staff use assessments well to identify apprentices’ starting points and skills development effectively. They observe apprentices’ work closely in the workshop and provide regular, useful feedback on their progress in practical tasks.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders, managers and staff have suitable oversight of the progress apprentices make. Consequently, they quickly identify apprentices who need support. Staff work closely with employers throughout programmes to review their progress and make sure that training plans successfully align the on- and off-the-job training. As a result, apprentices swiftly become useful, competent and independent at work.

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Reasonable progress

Staff do not provide apprentices with sufficiently clear feedback on their written work, which hinders apprentices’ ability to improve this aspect of their apprenticeship. Staff do not provide sufficient feedback to help apprentices understand what is required to achieve merit or distinction grades in their final assessments.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders provide apprentices with effective training to develop their English and mathematics skills. They have recently taken action to improve the attendance of Monitoring visit: Vertex Company UK 1 Limited, 29 and 30 October 2025 apprentices studying qualifications in these subjects, which is starting to have a positive impact.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices feel safe at work and in training. When attending training, apprentices stay at a local hotel, and leaders have made appropriate arrangements to keep apprentices, particularly younger apprentices, safe. Apprentices know who to contact should they have concerns. Staff and employers ensure apprentices learn essential health and safety procedures. Leaders assess the risks in workshops, training centres and workplaces regularly to ensure apprentices’ safety.

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Reasonable progress

The suitably trained designated safeguarding officer uses appropriate policies and procedures for safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty. They make sure staff receive helpful safeguarding training.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders make sure that staff are suitable to work with learners. Leaders recognise that their recruitment checks are not easily accessible. They are taking appropriate steps so they can have more effective oversight of, and access to, the full range of checks completed, including references from previous employment. Monitoring visit: Vertex Company UK 1 Limited, 29 and 30 October 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

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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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