Training company has to do better

A Spalding training centre has been told by Ofsted that it ‘requires improvement’ as tutors lack expertise and ‘undertake little training related to the craft of teaching.’

The inspection report of Riverside Training says tutors do not ‘consider in enough detail how to teach apprentices the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need.’

With an overall rating of ‘requires improvement’, inspectors said few apprentices attend lessons because of the pandemic and due to reluctance of employers to release them. It did rate behaviour and attitudes as good within the inspection.

“Managers and tutors do not plan and coordinate training with employers well enough. Employers often rely on apprentices telling them what topics they are working on to support their learning,” says the report.

Talking specifically about the business administration course, the inspector said: “There is no evidence of tutors’ planning for skills development. Apprentices complete their own research and ask their work colleagues for guidance.

They have access to study materials on an e-learning platform, but these are poor.”

The company was established in May 2009 to provide apprenticeships and work-based learning in the early years, care and business sectors in South Lincolnshire.

It has 186 apprentices and most training is for level 3 early years educators with level 3 provision in business administration, marketing and payroll. There are also a level 2 and 5 courses. There are 20 apprentices enrolled on children, young people and families manager and early years senior practitioner.

“Apprentices are very positive about their experiences. They value their learning and the support that tutors provide for them. As a result, early years educators and teaching assistants feel suitably prepared for their current roles and their next steps,” says the report.

In order to improve a range of recommendations were outlined including: managers increasing direct training and ensuring employers release apprentices; tutors should improve curriculum planning and managers and tutors should work more closely with employers.