County Training celebrates ‘good’ Ofsted rating

Back row: Chris Hopwood, Sue Maguire, Erica Garner, Donna Withington. Front row: Cllr Nick Bardsley; Kevin Humphreys

County Training, Shropshire Council’s training provider, has been rated as ‘good’ by Government inspectors – narrowly missing out on the top rating of ‘outstanding’ – and with particular praise for management and staff.

The Ofsted inspection was carried out in January 2015 – and signifies an improvement from County Training’s previous full inspection in December 2013, when it was rated as ‘requires improvement’.

Inspectors praised the “effectiveness of leadership and management” at County Training and rated it as ‘outstanding’ – as was social care and health training.

They also recognise “the quality of teaching, learning and assessment” and “outcomes for learners”, with both areas rated as ‘good’.

County Training is the largest training provider in the Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin area, is a major provider of work-based training, and also offers expert advice and support for businesses to ensure their staff have the skills they need.

In their report, inspectors say that the senior management team provides particularly strong leadership and manages change very well, and that the impact of the strategies for improvement introduced since the last inspection is exceptionally good.

The report also finds that most teaching, learning and assessment is good, with some outstanding examples.

Inspectors found that staff are strongly motivated and well-managed, with a good understanding of what they need to do to contribute to the continuous improvement of the provision.  They say that learners benefit from well-qualified and very experienced staff with high-level skills and sound industry knowledge.

Erica Garner, head of Shropshire Council’s learning, employment and training service, said:

“We are absolutely delighted with the results of the Ofsted inspection; managers and staff have worked very hard to make continued improvements to the delivery of all of our learning programmes.”

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said:

“I’m thrilled with the comments made by the Ofsted inspectors, and that they have recognised the substantial improvements that have been made at County Training since the last inspection just over a year ago.  This is the result of a lot of very hard work on the part of the whole team: I am really pleased for all of them – along with the learners who are benefiting so greatly from the support and training that they have received.”

Six Government inspectors carried out January’s inspection.  They used group and individual interviews, telephone calls and online questionnaires to gather the views of learners and employers.  They also looked at the quality of teaching, learning and assessment, and observed learning sessions, assessments and progress reviews.

Further information

County Training’s team of recruitment specialists works to identify apprenticeship opportunities with local employers who are wanting to train and develop an apprentice in line with their business needs whilst offering a career path with excellent progression.

If you are a business exploring this recruitment option, or you are a young person interested in what an apprenticeship may offer you, please contact 0345 678 9023 or email countytraining@shropshire.gov.uk.

Apprenticeship opportunities are available in the following areas: business and administration, brewing, childcare, education, computer-aided design, customer service, hair and beauty, health and social care, horse management, hospitality and catering, IT, motor vehicles management, and warehouse and storage.

Visit shropshire.gov.uk/county-training for details.