DBC Training retains Ofsted ‘Good’ Grade

Following their recent full inspection by Ofsted, DBC Training has been awarded an overall ‘Good’ grade.

The full inspection was conducted in February during what is normally one of the busiest weeks of the year for the sector, National Apprenticeship Week, and which culminated in DBC’s annual Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony. DBC’s inspection team rose to this challenge, resulting in DBC Training being graded ‘Good’ in all areas of the inspection, including:

Overall effectiveness                                GOOD

The quality of education                           GOOD

Behaviour and attitudes                            GOOD

Personal development                               GOOD

Learnership and management                  GOOD

Adult learning programmes                      GOOD

Apprenticeships                                          GOOD

Founded in 2000, DBC Training was last inspected by Ofsted in 2016, also receiving a Grade 2 Good.

DBC Training currently has 411 apprentices in learning covering level 2 to level 5 standards-based courses in leadership and management, business administration, customer service, recruitment and sales, digital marketing, and warehousing. A further 941 adult learners are enrolled on a range of courses from entry level to Level 2.

Ofsted inspectors said leaders and managers “work well with employers to develop the curriculum”, and that “Leaders and managers have set challenging strategic objectives that support their aim of delivering high-quality training. They work well with a wide variety of employers and other stakeholders to offer a curriculum that addresses identified skills gaps. Leaders and managers use their productive links with government and employer bodies…to successfully engage hard-to-reach learners in training.”

The report also praised DBC’s delivery teams, commenting that “Coaches have considerable professional experience of the sectors in which they teach” and that they “have established a caring, supportive culture for learners.”

“Progression managers offer on-going guidance to adult learners who need extra support with job hunting. As a result, a significant number of adult learners progress into paid employment.”

Kerry Bentley, Managing Director of DBC Training said: “I am absolutely delighted to have retained our ‘Good’ grade at our latest inspection. This truly is testament to the hard work our staff put in on a daily basis to support learners to excel in their learning and careers and be the very best they can be.  The Good grade is a real credit to all of our apprentices, learners, partners and stakeholders, who without, none of this would be possible.

The Ofsted report also recognised how, during the pandemic, DBC were reactive and were able to switch their delivery remotely, whilst ensuring the quality and personal touch was not lost. Kerry continued to say, “This report also reflects the continued commitment of our staff to ensure students feel safe and supported when at DBC. I am proud of each and every one of the team for all of their hard work and commitment to our learners, employers and stakeholders.”