Ofsted praise for whg Skills Centre (18/06/10)
Ofsted inspectors have praised Walsall Housing Group’s Skills Centre and have hailed “outstanding” partnership work among its strengths.
A team of four inspectors spent four days at the premises, in Leamore, Walsall in May and their report has now been released. They spoke to learners and colleagues and observed lessons during the short notice visit.
The Skills Centre currently delivers construction-based taster and training programmes in electrical, plumbing, carpentry and bricklaying, taught to nationally-recognised standards for more than 100 learners aged from 16 to trades professionals wanting to up-skill. It also works in partnership with schools through Walsall Education Business Partnership. The Skills Centre won plaudits for its partnership working with employers, contractors, schools and training providers.
The report states: “Walsall Housing Group meets the needs and interests of learners and employers particularly well. It engages both employers and local community initiatives to provide learners with a wide range of on-site work opportunities.
“Partnership arrangements are outstanding. Walsall Housing Group contributes substantially to a wide range of local regeneration activities and projects. It works very closely with employers and their supply chain to support the development of sustainable work opportunities.”
The overall effectiveness of provision was awarded a grade two (good), where grade one is outstanding and four is inadequate.
The report highlights how the learners are making a positive contribution to the local community. It says: “Most apprentices are either employed or gaining work experience within whg, its contractors, sub contractors or their supply chains in the maintenance and construction of social housing in the most deprived areas of the borough, from which many of them come. They and the E2E learners are contributing positively to the physical and attitudinal regeneration of the area.”
One of the young people studying at the centre, self-employed Rachel Toor, is taking an NVQ Level 3 in Plumbing at the Skills Centre and will be fully qualified by the end of the year.
The 18-year-old from Bilston said: “I’ve found the Skills Centre teaching brilliant and everything I’ve learnt has been really useful. Plumbing is definitely a trade I will carry on practising long after my apprenticeship is finished.”
The report also points out some areas in which whg can identify and address areas for further improvement, including further development the system of observation of teaching and learning and the monitoring of other aspects.
Jane Preece, whg Director for Organisational Development, said she was pleased with the outcome of the Ofsted inspection.
“Walsall Housing Group is committed to providing high quality construction-based skills training to help tackle worklessness in Walsall. The Ofsted inspection has shown that our investment in the Skills Centre, the good standard of teaching and the work placements available through our partners despite the current economic climate, has been very worthwhile. Our Quality Improvement Plan is working and our aim is to grow bigger and more successful as a consequence of the inspectors’ findings.”
The report can be viewed here (new window).
Photo shows plumbing apprentices Rachel Toor and Karina Patel.
