Carlisle-based SP Training is the first further education provider in the country, across all sectors, to achieve Ofsted’s new ‘exceptional’ rating.
The company, which provides driver, warehouse and management apprenticeships alongside driver and transport manager CPC training, was awarded the unique rating for its adult learning programmes.
SP Training, which counts BCA, Evri, Cemex and Co-op as long-term clients. has been delivering skills training across the road haulage and logistics sectors for over 25 years, providing apprenticeships, skills bootcamps, HGV licence acquisition, professional driver development and CPC training.
The new system of inspections began last November and were led exclusively by Ofsted’s most senior inspectors. They found that learners consistently make extensive progress and the training has a transformational impact on learners’ careers.
SP Training has 345 learners on apprenticeships and inspectors were impressed that almost all large goods vehicle apprentices and learners progress into careers in the industry and emerge from their training “exceptionally well” prepared.
A highlight was the company’s extremely successful Professional Driver Adult Learning bootcamps, which trained 2,700 new drivers and delivered over 95% job outcomes. SP Training’s achievement rate, which measures the proportion of learners who gain their qualifications, is well above the national average.
Education providers are now awarded grades from ‘exceptional’, ‘strong standard’ and ‘expected standard’ to ‘needs attention’ and ‘urgent improvement’.
Chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver said the exceptional grade demonstrates exemplary practice nationally. “Strong standard marks out excellent practice. Anything graded ‘exceptional’ is exactly that – truly among the very best nationally,” he added.
Tony Higgins, SP Training managing director, said: “To be the first in the country to be awarded an ‘exceptional’ rating makes us all very proud of the hard work our trainers and mentors put in.
“These new Ofsted inspections are, rightly, very rigorous and the inspectors do not give out these grades lightly. That makes this achievement all the more rewarding.
“This rating is only possible because of the hard work everyone puts in to pass on their knowledge and make sure we get the best possible outcomes for all our learners.
He added: “We are committed to working with hauliers, operators and large fleets to help develop skills across the industry and ensure they have the support they need to help recruit and retain talent, and to create long-term careers in logistics.”
