Arch Apprentices is one of the first ‘outstanding’ Independent Learning Providers under the new CIF, (Common Inspection Framework) and joins an elite group of around five per cent of educational institutions across the country to have been graded as Grade 1 Outstanding overall.
Jason Moss, the Chief Executive of Arch said “We are exceptionally proud to be recognised as an Outstanding Digital and IT apprenticeship provider. To be rated as Grade 1 outstanding in all areas is a tremendous achievement for all our staff, our apprentices and the hundreds of employers we work with.”
Arch Aapprentices achieved Outstanding in all five inspected areas, which the report elaborated on:
Effectiveness of leadership and management is Outstanding
“Leaders and managers have extremely high expectations and work very closely with their staff and employers to achieve outstanding outcomes for apprentices. BC Arch works very effectively in collaboration with leading digital businesses and other employers.”
Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding
“Apprentice advisors and employers have very high expectations of apprentices. Staff use their high levels of expertise well to challenge apprentices and develop their skills. Processes for review are excellent with very effective action planning and monitoring leading to very good progress and the development of high standards of skills”
Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding
“Staff very carefully consider applicants¡¦ welfare and ambitions when matching them to prospective employers. An excellent and extensive induction ensures apprentices understand how to behave and know what to expect in the workplace.”
Outcomes for learners are outstanding
“Arch apprentices develop exceptional industry skills and complete high-level tasks for their employers. On completion, the overwhelming majority progress onto meaningful high-level jobs often gaining promotion with their current employer or moving to another employer to enhance their skills.”
Apprenticeships are outstanding
“Arch apprentices develop excellent high-level digital, information technology (IT) and employability skills, which ensure they are exceptionally well prepared for employment and their future careers.”
Arch Apprentices was set up by the Blenheim Chalcot Group and its biggest company Agilisys to secure a new supply of much needed IT and Digital talent. The first apprentices started in August 2012 and since then around a thousand apprentices have started their careers through Arch.
Ready for the levy
Charles Mindenhall, founder of the Blenheim Chalcot Group, added: “When we started Arch Apprentices it was to help the companies in our portfolio to bridge their skills gap. We now help solve the same problem for other organisations such as Google, John Lewis, Facebook, Haymarket, WPP, Lloyds Bank, ao.com and Barclays.
“With the launch of our new Arch Platform we hope to help many more employers set up their Apprenticeship Schemes in time to take full advantage of the upcoming Apprenticeship Levy.”
To find out how Arch can your help organisation get prepared for the Apprenticeship Levy and create your own Apprenticeship Scheme through the new Arch Platform visit www.archapprentices.co.uk.
