• Latest news
  • RSS feeds
• Find recent news
• Ofsted News
• Media Centre

Press release: Equipping people with the skills for work - Ofsted highlights the ingredients of work-based learning success

An Ofsted report published today showcases 12 outstanding work-based learning providers that excel at providing apprenticeships, NVQs and other vocational qualifications for young people and adults.

The 12 learning and skills providers, from across England, have taken different routes to achieve excellent results but all have been committed to bringing out the potential of their learners, many of whom had previously not achieved educational success. The report, Twelve outstanding providers of work-based learning, is launched today by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert at the Association of Learning Providers’ (ALP) annual conference. She will highlight how the best training providers in areas such as manufacturing, retail, hospitality and IT, are meeting the skills needs of both learners and employers, while reflecting on Ofsted’s role in identifying and sharing examples of excellent performance to help support improvement.

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert said:

'These providers display a real drive to inspire, challenge, and support young people and adult learners. While their paths to success may vary, they have each made an important contribution to addressing the critical issue of developing skills for employment, while also helping employers to compete in a tough economic environment.'

'This report identifies some common success factors, profiles successful providers and highlights practical examples of outstanding provision. I hope others will be inspired by the good practice included in this report.'

These outstanding providers have worked hard to build the respect of learners and employers. Learners were typically positive about their training, often describing it in the following terms, 'I have developed new skills and have much more confidence about what I am doing at work' and 'I like being treated as an adult and working in a professional environment'.

While some of the providers featured may already have reputations as national centres of excellence, others have a lower profile. The success for all of them, however, has been built on ensuring the technical skills and industry experience of staff is constantly updated. Good relationships with business, intimate knowledge of industry sectors, and the training programmes matched to the needs and demands of employers were central components of these providers’ success.

For example, one training provider, Zenos, addressed the reluctance of major IT employers to employ young people, and worked hard to counter their preference for recruiting older, more experienced staff. Zenos developed their training in conjunction with large employers to provide Advanced Apprenticeships in IT so their young learners could, ‘hit the ground running’ when moving into jobs at companies such as EDS and Fujitsu.

A commitment to review the progress of learners and the use of mentors were also important aspects of effective performance of all these providers. Training consultants at Hospitality Training Partnership, for example, were in regular contact with learners, visiting their workplace and providing additional assistance outside of work to help meet their literacy, language and numeracy needs.

Notes For Editors

1. Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert will be launching the report at the Association of Learning Providers (ALP) conference as part of her speech on the subject of 'Developing inspection: learning from the best'. The ALP conference is taking place on 14 and 15 July 2010, London.

2. The report, Twelve outstanding providers of work-based learning, will be available on the website from mid-day via the following link: www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/100112.

3. The 12 outstanding work-based learning providers are: Aspire Training Team, British Gas Energy Academy, Andrew Collinge Training, Davidson Training UK, Gateshead College, Hospitality Training Partnership, Intraining, Skillnet, Training Services 2000, Warwickshire College, Zenos and 5E. Work-based learning encompasses a broad range of different programmes, including apprenticeships, NVQs and other professional vocational qualifications, Skills for Life and employability training programmes.

4. The 12 providers were selected from those judged outstanding for their work-based learning during the period September 2007 to April 2010. They include independent training providers, colleges of further education and employer providers, and feature both those who specialise in training in one vocational area and others who offer provision in several areas. The work ranges from delivering training on a national basis to programmes designed to meet the needs of a local community. During the visit to each provider in May 2010, inspectors spoke to managers, teaching staff, assessors, learners and employers to explore the factors behind their success.

5. For information about the Ofsted inspection policy and protocol, please follow the link: www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/20080016.

5. The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

4. The Ofsted national press office can be reached on 0300 123 1231. Alternatively, please email pressenquiries@ofsted.gov.uk

Share this

Google Plus One