A Brighouse engineering training group for apprentices has turned things around.

Kirkdale Industrial Training Services (KITS) has improved in all areas since Ofsted rated it as 3-Requires Improvement two years ago.

At its most recent inspection, KITS has been rated as Good in all areas following steady improvements across the board.

The group, based in Armytage Road, provides part-time training for 234 apprentices aged 16 and above. It was praised for providing above-average training which was completed on time and which met the needs of employers in Kirklees and Calderdale.

The report stated: “Success rates for apprentices have steadily improved over the last three years and are now good, as is the proportion of apprentices who successfully completed within the planned timescales.

“The vocational training in engineering meets the needs of apprentices and employers particularly well through the flexible delivery of the apprenticeship programme. Coordination of on- and off-the-job training is very good and linked well to the needs of the qualification.

“The training facilities at both KITS’ and at employers’ premises are of a good standard and are used effectively to support the development of apprentices’ engineering skills. Apprentices train on industry-standard engineering equipment that allows them to develop complex technical skills and to produce work to exacting standards.

“The good range of additional engineering qualifications meets the needs of learners and local employers particularly well. Apprentices develop very good personal, employability and specialist engineering skills that are highly valued by employers. This leads to good progression and a high proportion of apprentices subsequently progress from intermediate to advanced apprenticeships.

“The good teaching, learning and assessment allow apprentices to develop complex engineering skills that enable them to work as skilled operatives and produce work to exacting standards. On-the-job assessment is very flexible with assessors responding to meet the shift requirements of the apprentices who have direct access at all times to their assessor.

“Leaders and managers set high expectations of staff and apprentices. Performance management arrangements are highly effective in improving quality and raising standards.”

Lead Inspector Victor Reid added that further improvements could be made to advanced apprenticeships for 16 to 18-year-olds as well as success rates for females and black Caribbean heritage intermediate apprentices.

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