RT Training Solutions Limited

Transcription

1 INSPECTION REPORT RT Training Solutions Limited 91 Dales Road Address Ipswich Suffolk IP1 4JR Telephone number address Unique Number Awaited Inspection dates 8 10 October 2012 Reporting inspector Michael Fisher If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print, please telephone , or enquiries@nsare.org. You may copy all or parts of this document, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. NSARE Ltd. Mezzanine Floor, 40 Bernard Street, London WC1N 1BY Telephone: +44 (0) Fax +44 (0) enquiries@nsare.org NSARE Copyright 2011

2 Introduction This inspection was carried out by one inspector on behalf of NSARE as part of a national programme of inspection within the railway industry. The inspector made 5 overall judgements against a set of common criteria which are available on the NSARE website at Before the inspection, a range of documentation was scrutinised including the self-assessment report (SAR) and quality improvement plan (QIP) produced by the provider. The inspector spent three days on site. During this time four trainers were observed. Other activities included interviewing managers, trainers and learners. Training records and other documentation were reviewed. Description of the setting RT Training Solutions Limited is based in Ipswich, Suffolk and commenced business on 3 September 2012 to deliver technical signalling, safety and management training courses primarily for the railway industry. The training school has five training rooms and an extensive indoor practical area, plus external facilities with four lengths of track fitted, with examples of current equipment found trackside on the national network. The training centre has a welcoming entrance and lounge fitted with refreshment facilities and soft seating to help learners and staff relax during break out periods. Since the company opened for business, courses have been provided both onand off-site as trainers travel to clients premises when required. The company offers training and assessment across a wide spectrum of remits, including Sentinel, Institute of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE), City and Guilds NVQ awards, Road Transport Industry Training Board (RTITB), Highfields awarding body for compliance (HABC), 17 th Edition Electrical Installation Regulations and Network Rail safety and technical accredited courses. Dedicated facilities for onscreen testing are available. Courses for The Prince s Trust help young people gain employment into the railway industry. A partnership with West Suffolk College is in place which includes maintenance of internal verification status for NVQ railway signalling. Under the direction of a chief executive officer and a managing director the company employs five fulltime qualified trainers, three of whom are qualified assessors. A pool of experienced and qualified part time trainers and assessors are available to be called upon when the need arises. An office manager with an apprentice administrator plus a sales and marketing manager are in post to support the functioning and growth of the business.

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The overall effectiveness of the provision is outstanding. The provider is fully compliant with Sentinel requirements. Following the formation of the new training company and the availability of the inherited resources they are well placed to maintain continuous improvement. Learners make excellent progress whilst on courses increasing their knowledge, skills and confidence. The quality of provision is outstanding with well qualified and experienced trainers able to use and demonstrate the excellent resources available to the benefit of the learners. Passionate management are quickly embedding leadership and appropriate quality assurance models into the re-formed organisation. Opportunities for everybody in the organisation to contribute to the development of the self assessment report and quality improvement plan need to be extended. The provider is very aware of the need to promote equality and diversity and uses naturally occurring opportunities to reinforce the awareness of staff and learners. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT Quality of provision - Develop lesson plans to include aims and objectives, teaching and learning styles to be used with a breakdown of the elements of the planned session. - Ensure all trainers wear the appropriate PPE in sessions and lead by example. Leadership and Management - Embed the self assessment report and associated quality improvement plan into the culture of quality assurance and continuous improvement within the company. - Formalise analysis and evaluation of course feedback to inform continuous improvements - Update the accident reporting system to include current RIDDOR legislation.

4 MAIN FINDINGS OF THE INSPECTION Capacity to improve Grade: The new training company commenced business following the closure of a parent company. Many of the staff and the extensive training resources have been retained by RT Training Solutions Limited from the previous operation. Plans are in place to extend resources even further to keep pace with the modernisation of the national railway network. A rebranding exercise is being progressively undertaken. The company and staff enjoy a good reputation within the railway industry for quality technical expertise and training. The resources to support practical training are outstanding and represent a high investment with updating taking place to meet changes within the industry. The installation of a third rail section of track will further enhance provision. The inherited client base is large with learners prepared to travel long distances for training at the centre, set deep into East Anglia. A register of local accommodation is maintained to assist with overnight stays when required. The management have a clear vision to sustain improvements and to maintain the outstanding quality of provision. Training and administration staff contribute to continuous improvement with suggestions and ideas welcomed by management. Staff are passionate about the opportunities they provide to enhance the quality of training and the well being of the varied workforce that come through the centre. The self assessment process is identified as being an opportunity to drive the quality assurance model forward. A full cycle of review and action planned judgement is being established to include the views of users. Learner outcomes Grade: The new company and its training staff are able to build upon the excellent learner attainment and progress of the past. Within the short time of operation only one learner has failed an assessment. This was due to the learner becoming overcome with nerves. Both customers and past learners say that they are pleased with the standards reached and the skills acquired through training with the provider. Training is tailored to meet the needs of the learners so that they can progress in their career development. Good outcomes have been achieved by learners supported through the Prince s Trust. They have been enabled to overcome disadvantage, gain skills and employment. Current learners express gratitude and respect for the training received and for the excellent resources they are able to practice upon which match real life experience trackside. They are well motivated and appreciate the opportunities available to them. Learners are focussed on the tasks in hand and apply themselves to the training and assessments required of the programme being followed. They work well in group activity and often are able to exchange and share experiences from different areas of the railway network. Learners say that they feel safe whilst at the centre and good health and safety practices are stressed in most sessions. When working on live signalling systems the learners are careful to ensure circuits are isolated before work begins. The company

5 maintains good informal contacts with many of its students and welcomes back those who return for further training. It is proud of the progression many past learners have been able to make within the industry and the positive impact it has provided in improving their economic and social well-being and improve the industry as a whole. Quality of Provision Grade: Teaching and learning is good. Training sessions are undertaken in well resourced trainer dedicated rooms equipped with appropriate teaching and learning resources although some lack natural daylight and ventilation. The large adjoining internal track layouts area is used routinely to help competencies to be gained and provide opportunities for candidates to see and try first hand examples of railway layout, kit, signalling and safe systems of working. Classrooms have examples of the current kit that is used and they were regularly used for demonstration purposes. Most rooms contain examples of poster type displays which enhanced learning and provide further explanation and stimulation about the topics being discussed. Trainers are well qualified and very experienced in the subject matter being delivered. They regularly draw on their past to enhance learner application and understanding. Most sessions commence promptly and appropriate refreshment breaks are taken. Sessions are conducted at an appropriate pace to meet the needs of learners and opportunities to draw experiences from the group members through additional and open questioning are skilfully utilised. Training focusses around the teaching and learning materials supplied by Network Rail. They are well used and the current editions form the basis of lessons. Lesson planning is minimal in some cases and a more structured approach to the aims and objectives and teaching and learning styles to be used in each session would help learning and attainment. Trainers demonstrate a good understanding of the content of the sessions and use the PowerPoint based theory content of the course to good effect. Opportunities to vary the teaching and learning styles to increase motivation and learning are evident in classes with a good mix of theory and practical involvement. There is good sharing of best practice amongst the mature learners which broadens the discussion and knowledge of all present. Due attention is paid to health and safety and the wearing of appropriate PPE, although in one session the trainer was not leading by example. Leadership and management Grade: Good The management, administration and training teams work well together and under the recently appointed arrangements are consolidating and planning for the future development of the company and the products it provides to its clients. Senior managers are passionate about the quality of provision and provide supportive direction and challenging leadership. Administrators are welcoming and efficient in making bookings, confirming attendance and recording outcomes. A calendar of regular monthly recorded meetings is in place to review the management of the programmes on offer and outcomes of the

6 provision. Policies and procedures are fit for purpose but the rebranding of some documentation is incomplete and modifications to include the criteria of the current NSARE Inspection Framework need to be embedded. Individual course folders are properly maintained to record the activity and outcomes of each event but opportunities to collate and analyse overall feedback need to be developed. Secure systems of version control are in place and professionally managed. Some publicity relating to RIDDOR reporting requires updating to meet current legislation standards. Preparation of a self-assessment report (SAR) has been welcomed by the company as a valued discipline towards continuous improvement. However, the SAR provided for the inspection lacked judgement and data analysis as a basis on which continuous improvement decision making could be based. The SAR used the sub-headings of the NSARE framework as its basis but the Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) was brief and lacked rigour to address the identified issues. Authorship of the SAR and QIP findings was invested in the senior management but lacked input and origination from the training staff. A comprehensive policy document for equality and diversity is in place and opportunities to include appropriate images in company literature are being developed. Opportunities to develop aspects of equality and diversity were taken from naturally occurring situations. Whilst the gender mix of learners does not reflect the local economy it is generally representative of the sector being served. A comprehensive policy on Business Ethics is shared and understood by staff outlining standards of integrity, behaviour and business practice for those in the organisation.

7 INSPECTION JUDGEMENT GRADES Grade Overall effectiveness Capacity to improve Learner outcomes Quality of provision Leadership and management including the provider s provision for equality and diversity Good Good What the judgements mean Judgement Description For overall effectiveness These features are highly The provider will receive another effective. inspection within months. Good Satisfactory Inadequate These are very positive features evident. These features are of reasonable quality. These features are not of an acceptable standard. The provider will receive another inspection within months The provider will receive another inspection within months Inspectors will revisit the setting within 4 months to review the inadequate areas.