A body run by mechanical engineering trade association B&ES has been slated by Ofsted
A body run by mechanical engineering trade association the 黑洞社区 and Engineering Services Association, which trains 1,000 apprentices a year, has been slated by education regulator Ofsted.
In a report following inspection in June, Ofsted rated the 黑洞社区 and Engineering Services Association鈥檚 (B&ES) vocational training provider 鈥渋nadequate鈥�, the lowest ranking.
黑洞社区 Engineering Services Training Limited (BEST), which manages and delivers 1,000 apprentices a year, has actually regressed since a previous inspection, according to the Oftsed report, with managers having failed to take 鈥渆ffective action to rectify weaknesses identified鈥�.
Acting head of BEST Tony Howard, who was appointed after the previous chief operating officer Steve Leighton left in July after six months in the job, said the organisation had put a strategy in place to address the issues identified.
BEST鈥檚 managers are reported by Ofsted as not having 鈥渟ufficiently high expectations鈥� for its apprentices.
The report adds that 鈥渢raining staff and assessors do not check and improve the levels of apprentices鈥� written work or correct their incorrect use of written or spoken English鈥�, and that they 鈥渄o not challenge stereotypes鈥� held by apprentices, such as that 鈥渁 career in engineering is better suited to men鈥�.
Managers and staff are also reported as not monitoring 鈥渋ndividual apprentices鈥� development sufficiently鈥� or helping them to 鈥渞ecognise and celebrate diversity鈥�.
In contrast, the report does highlight that apprentices do develop their mathematical skills and recognises BEST for having strong partnerships with leading industry bodies and employers, which enable it to offer a range of industry relevant qualifications.
The inspection and report comes after BEST restructured its management and assessment teams to 鈥渂olster its delivery of apprenticeships鈥� at the beginning of the year, following the 拢3.3m turnover organisation reporting a 拢122,000 loss in 2014.
Howard said the areas identified by Ofsted are 鈥減rincipally in relation to management systems and reporting processes鈥�. He added: 鈥淲e have put an immediate strategy in place to deliver an effective and timely response.鈥�
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