Oldham training centre still 'requires improvement'

Oldham Engineering Group Training Association, which offers apprenticeships throughout Greater Manchester, was visited by Ofsted in July for a monitoring inspection.

The visit came after the centre at the Mount Pleasant Industrial Estate was given a rating of "requires improvement" in the categories of quality of education, leadership and management, and apprenticeships by the education watchdog following an inspection in August last year.

Following last year’s inspection, the centre was ordered to improve the “planning and coordination” of on- and off-the-job training.

This week, Ofsted has published a report following July’s monitoring inspection.

In the report, inspector Kim Bleasdal states that leaders have still not put in place actions to improve the coordination of on- and off-the-job training for most apprentices or provided training advisers with appropriate training following the previous inspection.

Consequently, most apprentices do not develop their knowledge, skills, and behaviours quickly enough, according to the report.

It is only in “very few cases” that training advisers effectively use the off-the-job training plan to agree on opportunities with the apprentices’ line manager for apprentices to develop their skills at work.

Despite this, the report adds that apprentices still develop a wide range of occupationally relevant knowledge, skills, and behaviours at work.

The report adds that a “significant number of employers” told inspectors that they do not receive enough information about what apprentices learn in their training.

Meanwhile “too many” apprentices told inspectors that their apprenticeship is not reflective of their job roles, meaning they are unable to practise what they have learned at work.

The inspector also found that leaders have not been swift enough to ensure that all apprentices know about their final assessments early enough in their apprenticeships and almost all apprentices do not know about the grades available to them.

Despite the concerns raised, inspectors found that the process leaders use to help monitor apprentices’ progress to be “effective”.

According to the report, leaders now hold more regular meetings with trainers and training advisers to arrange interventions when apprentices fall behind and as a result, the number of apprentices who have not completed their apprenticeships on time has significantly reduced.

Managers, trainers, and training advisers are also now able to identify learners who are falling behind in their learning more swiftly than they previously did.

Inspectors also found that the information that senior leaders provide to trustees has improved since the previous inspection with trustees now receiving information including the progress that apprentices are making.

The report also noted that most apprentices have an “appropriate working knowledge of British values” and know that it is important to demonstrate professional and respectful behaviours at work and in the training centre.

In response to the latest report, David Farrington, chairman of the board of directors, said: “We are pleased that Ofsted recognised the good work that has been done to achieve progression in the areas of ensuring that we receive timely accurate management information that reflects the hard work done by our apprentices and the challenges made of leaders.

“Also, changes to the way we monitor progress ensures that we more accurately measure the good progress our learners are making.

“Our internal teams welcomed the further training and development they received and make good use of their enhanced knowledge on a range of topics.

“We have already made good progress in ensuring that the areas highlighted for further development receive the attention and developmental work required.  

 “We look forward to continuing to support the local community and wider economy.”