Skills for Security, the UK’s largest Fire and Security Apprenticeship provider, has maintained its OFSTED Good Provider status after a 500% growth in just three years.
Since August 2019, the organization has added over 500 apprentices across the UK, from Scotland to Cornwall, to its apprenticeship program. It has opened six sites across the UK as part of its strategy to become a national provider of high-quality, accessible training, including Warrington, Watford, Glasgow, Mansfield, Birmingham, and Oxford, and expanding its staff base by 46 to support regional and local objectives. In January 2022, they were awarded an ESFA contract for delivering 16-18 traineeship programs, which have led to strong outcomes for unemployed learners transitioning into full-time employment within the Fire and Security industry.
By maintaining Good Provider status, the senior management team demonstrates their commitment to providing quality training while supporting the sector and ensuring a strong infrastructure of training centres.
Richard Cooper, Director of Education, Skills for Security, said: “The passion for the sector from our learners really came through during the inspection. The intent for what we do is clear to see for all, and this vision is shared across the organisation. We will continue to strive for improvements and look forward to seeing the inspectors again (but not for a few years) and push to be an OFSTED Outstanding Provider”.
David Scott, Managing Director of Skills for Security, said: “After what has been a rollercoaster three years of growth, new centres, and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am over the moon to have maintained our Good Provider status with OFSTED. With seven inspectors across three of our delivery sites, the dedication, time and effort from the SfS team is to be commended. In our report, it is great to read just how close we were to grade 1 (Outstanding) in several inspection areas. For context, only 3% of training providers achieve Outstanding, but this is our aspiration.”