Take part in the canalathon

Charity challenges public to help save West Midlands’s wildlife-rich canals

People in the West Midlands are being challenged to take to the towpaths over the course of June to raise money to protect the nation’s historic canal network, home to some of the UK’s much-loved and endangered wildlife.

MTC Training's staff, learners and partners are celebrating the success of the organisation's first full Ofsted visit. The skills provider, which seeds the UK manufacturing industry with future-proof engineering skills through bespoke specialist training programmes, secured an overall rating of "Good" with "Outstanding" grades for Personal Development and Behaviours and Attitudes.

The inspection took place across MTC Training's two centres - the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre in Coventry, and Oxfordshire Advanced Skills in Culham. Inspectors rigorously examined the training centres against Ofsted's categories - the quality of the apprenticeship and education provision, the ability to develop positive behaviour and attitudes, the facilitation of enrichment and personal development activities, and the overall leadership and management of the programme.

Ofsted was particularly impressed by the demeanour shown by apprentices, granting the centre the top grade of "Outstanding" for behaviour and attitudes.

The published report says: “Apprentices work effectively in a culture of high expectations and professionalism fostered by their trainers. Apprentices demonstrate very positive attitudes towards their learning, and their attendance and punctuality are very high. Apprentices demonstrate a robust understanding of how to stay safe when working in the workshops at MTC Training."

Ofsted also said that the centre's bespoke curriculum cultivates responsible and committed individuals with high levels of personal skills, again awarding MTC Training the top grade of "Outstanding" for personal development.

“The report really highlights the dedication of our staff, the development of our apprentices and the quality of our facilities, demonstrating the efficacy of the apprenticeship programme we have built for learners over the last seven years,” he said.

"The overall 'Good' grading is assurance that MTC Training is a safe and exciting space for learners to start an engineering career, as well as a rewarding environment to train the next generation. Later this year, we will have the capacity to deliver even more advanced manufacturing apprenticeships with our partners Lloyds Bank and the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and we will also extend our offering to MTC Liverpool."

MTC Training is now looking to strengthen its training provision and boost its ability to provide UK manufacturing industry with more highly skilled workers. As an employer, MTC Training provides a number of benefits including competitive salary and pension, support with professional development and Vitality Health Insurance. Live vacancies can be found on the MTC website.