Netcom Training receives Ofsted seal of approval

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1662627588782{margin-right: 100px !important;}”]Birmingham-based Netcom Training has received a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted, the government’s inspection body for education providers across the UK.

The training provider, which offers a host of government-funded IT programmes for those aged 19+, was deemed ‘Good’ across all of Ofsted’s seven key themes from quality of learning to leadership and management in its first assessment by the body.

Of particular note in Ofsted’s feedback, was that learners develop significant new industry-relevant skills and gain confidence throughout their course, while Netcom’s curriculum was recognised for its targeted engagement of adult learners who are hard to reach, giving them greater opportunities to train in highly relevant ICT-related study.

Netcom is expanding its reach across the UK, having recently received funding from the West Midlands, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester Combined Authorities to provide fully funded places on its digital skills courses. The company is now targeting a national rollout of its training programmes.

MD Kevin Vashi said: “Achieving a Grade 2 inspection across the board cements our position as a top choice for people wanting to upskill themselves and secure a role working within the IT sector. Having our courses given this seal of approval by Ofsted reassures learners that they are receiving high quality training from a provider that wants to see them succeed. We are delighted with the outcome.”

Some of the highlights identified by Inspectors were:

• Learners display positive attitudes to their learning and can articulate well how their course is preparing them for a future career in Information & Communication Technology (ICT). They enjoy their courses and value the support they receive from tutors.
• Learners, some of whom are returning to study after long periods of employment and have little or no prior knowledge of ICT, develop significant new industry relevant skills throughout their course.
• Tutors have high expectations of learners’ conduct in online lessons. As a result, learning environments are calm, and learners demonstrate respect for others, maintaining positive working relationships both with tutors and their peers.
• Learners develop their confidence as a result of their studies. They speak positively about how they feel more comfortable to communicate verbally in lessons following group work with their peers on problem-solving activities.
• Learners feel safe and know who to contact if they feel they need help. During induction, tutors develop learners’ understanding of how to keep themselves safe online, introducing topics, such as dealing with unsolicited emails and pop-ups.
• Leaders have selected a curriculum which is targeted at engaging adult learners who are hard to reach, giving them opportunities to engage in highly relevant ICT-related study, which can lead to industry-recognised qualifications.
• The curriculum is well sequenced, and carefully designed to encourage learners to develop rapidly significant new knowledge, skills and behaviours.
• Tutors are well-qualified experts with significant vocational experience, and they undertake regular professional development with the organisations whose qualifications they teach. However, the development of their teaching skills is less well planned.
• Tutors and staff work well with learners upon completion of their learning to prepare them further for new careers in ICT by providing job-search support, mock interviews, and additional training.

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