02/01/2016
Understanding the effectiveness of a training provider is paramount for both prospective students and the businesses that engage with them. Leicester College, a significant educational institution, is subject to regular reviews from both employers and apprentices. This article delves into the feedback collected over several academic years, offering a comprehensive overview of how the college is performing in key areas, and who can benefit from its offerings, particularly those considering a career change.
Employer Feedback: A Look at Strengths and Areas for Improvement
Employers play a crucial role in shaping apprenticeship programmes, providing insights into the real-world applicability and effectiveness of the training delivered. Leicester College actively seeks feedback from employers they partner with, categorising their input as 'Excellent', 'Good', 'Poor', or 'Very Poor'. This feedback highlights specific areas of strength and areas that may require further development. Analysing this data over different academic years provides a valuable trend analysis.
2021-2022 Academic Year: A Solid Foundation
During the 2021-2022 academic year, Leicester College received feedback from 44 employers, with the majority rating their experience as 'Good'. The data reveals distinct strengths and areas for improvement as perceived by these businesses:
| Statement | Percentage of employers selecting as "strength" | Percentage of employers selecting as "needs improvement" | Total employers selecting this statement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providing the right training at the right time | 62% | 38% | 13 |
| Communication with employers | 61% | 39% | 36 |
| Getting new apprentices started | 61% | 39% | 18 |
| Improving apprentice skills | 69% | 31% | 13 |
| Working with small numbers of apprentices | 67% | 33% | 3 |
| Initial assessment of apprentices | 50% | 50% | 12 |
| Reporting on progress of apprentices | 39% | 61% | 18 |
| Adapting to my needs | 75% | 25% | 12 |
| Training facilities | 73% | 27% | 15 |
Key strengths identified by employers in this period include training facilities and the college's ability to adapt to specific needs. Areas highlighted for improvement were primarily 'Reporting on progress of apprentices' and 'Providing the right training at the right time'.
2022-2023 Academic Year: Continued Engagement
The 2022-2023 academic year saw feedback from 22 employers, also rating the college as 'Good'. The trends observed were largely consistent:
| Statement | Percentage of employers selecting as "strength" | Percentage of employers selecting as "needs improvement" | Total employers selecting this statement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providing the right training at the right time | 60% | 40% | 10 |
| Communication with employers | 76% | 24% | 17 |
| Getting new apprentices started | 75% | 25% | 8 |
| Improving apprentice skills | 89% | 11% | 9 |
| Working with small numbers of apprentices | 100% | 0% | 1 |
| Initial assessment of apprentices | 0% | 100% | 3 |
| Reporting on progress of apprentices | 40% | 60% | 10 |
| Adapting to my needs | 50% | 50% | 4 |
| Training facilities | 100% | 0% | 5 |
In this period, training facilities and improving apprentice skills emerged as strong points. 'Initial assessment of apprentices' received no positive feedback, and 'Reporting on progress of apprentices' continued to be an area needing attention.
2023-2024 Academic Year: Limited Employer Feedback
For the 2023-2024 academic year, there were no employer reviews available, meaning not enough employers had provided feedback to generate results. This can sometimes occur if the review period has not yet concluded or if a sufficient number of employers have not yet responded.
2024-2025 Academic Year: Positive Employer Indicators
The most recent full academic year for which employer data is available is 2024-2025. With 4 employer reviews, the overall rating was 'Good'. The feedback indicated:
| Statement | Percentage of employers selecting as "strength" | Percentage of employers selecting as "needs improvement" | Total employers selecting this statement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providing the right training at the right time | 50% | 50% | 2 |
| Communication with employers | 33% | 67% | 3 |
| Getting new apprentices started | 100% | 0% | 1 |
| Improving apprentice skills | 33% | 67% | 3 |
| Reporting on progress of apprentices | 67% | 33% | 3 |
| Training facilities | 100% | 0% | 1 |
Here, getting new apprentices started and training facilities were unanimously rated as strengths. 'Communication with employers' and 'Improving apprentice skills' were identified as areas needing improvement.
Apprentice Feedback: The Learner's Perspective
Apprentice reviews provide a vital perspective on the day-to-day experience of learning. Apprentices are asked to rate their training and provide feedback on various aspects of their programme. Similar to employer reviews, these are categorised as 'Excellent', 'Good', 'Poor', or 'Very Poor'.
2021-2022 Academic Year: Mixed Feedback
In the 2021-2022 academic year, there were no apprentice reviews available. This indicates that not enough apprentices had provided feedback to form a reliable assessment for this period.
2022-2023 Academic Year: Positive Apprentice Experience
The 2022-2023 academic year saw 17 apprentice reviews, all of which were rated as 'Good'. The feedback on how apprentices found the training was as follows:
| Category | Statement | Percentage of apprentices selecting as "to a reasonable standard" | Percentage of apprentices selecting as "not to a reasonable standard" |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication | Communicating clearly with you | 59% | 41% |
| Ensuring you understand the requirements of your end-point assessment | 76% | 24% | |
| Organisation | Organising well-structured training | 65% | 35% |
| Providing accessible training resources | 71% | 29% | |
| Balancing online learning with classroom-based training to suit your apprenticeship | 82% | 18% | |
| Taking into account your previous learning | 59% | 41% | |
| Giving you relevant training that helps you perform your job better | 71% | 29% | |
| Providing Off The Job training that takes up at least 20% of your total apprenticeship time | 82% | 18% | |
| Support | Helping you learn new skills and develop existing ones | 71% | 29% |
| Supporting you and your apprenticeship | 76% | 24% | |
| Resolving any issues you have | 76% | 24% | |
| Preparing you for success in your future career | 71% | 29% |
The highest percentages for 'reasonable standard' were in 'Balancing online and classroom learning' and 'Providing Off The Job training', both at 82%. Areas with a higher percentage of 'not to a reasonable standard' included 'Communicating clearly with you' (41%) and 'Taking into account your previous learning' (41%).
2023-2024 Academic Year: Strong Apprentice Satisfaction
Leicester College received 19 apprentice reviews in the 2023-2024 academic year, with all being rated as 'Good'. The feedback was as follows:
| Category | Statement | Percentage of apprentices selecting as "to a reasonable standard" | Percentage of apprentices selecting as "not to a reasonable standard" |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication | Communicating clearly with you | 68% | 32% |
| Ensuring you understand the requirements of your end-point assessment | 89% | 11% | |
| Organisation | Organising well-structured training | 74% | 26% |
| Providing accessible training resources | 89% | 11% | |
| Balancing online learning with classroom-based training to suit your apprenticeship | 79% | 21% | |
| Taking into account your previous learning | 84% | 16% | |
| Giving you relevant training that helps you perform your job better | 84% | 16% | |
| Providing Off The Job training that takes up at least 20% of your total apprenticeship time | 100% | 0% | |
| Support | Helping you learn new skills and develop existing ones | 89% | 11% |
| Supporting you and your apprenticeship | 89% | 11% | |
| Resolving any issues you have | 79% | 21% | |
| Preparing you for success in your future career | 84% | 16% |
Apprentices reported very positively on 'Providing Off The Job training' (100% satisfactory), alongside strong feedback for 'Helping you learn new skills', 'Supporting you and your apprenticeship', and 'Ensuring you understand your end-point assessment' (all 89% satisfactory). 'Communicating clearly with you' had the highest percentage of apprentices finding it unsatisfactory (32%).
2024-2025 Academic Year: No Apprentice Feedback
Similar to the employer reviews for the 2023-2024 period, there were no apprentice reviews available for the 2024-2025 academic year. This suggests that the feedback collection for this period is either ongoing or has not yet reached a sufficient volume.
Who Can Benefit from a Career Change at Leicester College?
Leicester College is actively fostering partnerships with businesses across a range of key sectors, signalling a strong commitment to workforce development and career advancement. The college is particularly focused on:
- Digital Sector: Opportunities for those looking to enter or upskill in digital technologies.
- Diverse Engineering Disciplines: Especially in aeronautical and space engineering, catering to growing industries.
- Healthcare: Preparing individuals for roles in a vital and expanding sector.
- Construction: Providing training for the built environment.
- Sustainable Technologies: Focusing on areas like air source heat pumps, solar, and retrofit technologies, aligning with the demand for skills in the green economy.
The college boasts cutting-edge facilities that support these industry specialisms, including:
- Electric and hydrogen vehicle testing
- Mechanical, electrical, electronic, aeronautical, and space engineering labs
- Advanced healthcare training suites
- Professional laboratory spaces
- Extensive construction workshops
Expert staff are on hand to support local workforce development needs, offering both entry-level training and opportunities for advanced expertise. This is achieved through flexible learning pathways that combine technical skills with fundamental personal development.
Furthermore, Leicester College offers adult upskilling programmes designed to enhance essential workplace competencies such as literacy, numeracy, and digital skills. These programmes are invaluable for:
- Career Changers: Individuals looking to transition into new fields.
- Existing Workers: Those seeking to update their skills or gain new qualifications to advance in their current careers.
- Unemployed Individuals: People looking to improve their fundamental skills to increase employability.
In essence, Leicester College provides a comprehensive ecosystem for individuals and businesses seeking to enhance skills, adapt to industry demands, and forge successful career paths, particularly in emerging and vital sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who collects data about Leicester College?
The data presented in this article is collected by an external body that surveys employers and apprentices who engage with training providers like Leicester College. This data is used to assess the quality and effectiveness of the training delivered.
What are the main strengths identified by employers?
Across the reviewed academic years, employers have consistently highlighted 'Training facilities' and 'Improving apprentice skills' as significant strengths. In more recent years, 'Getting new apprentices started' has also received strong positive feedback.
What areas does Leicester College focus on for career development?
Leicester College focuses on key growth sectors including the digital sector, engineering (especially aeronautical and space), healthcare, construction, and sustainable technologies. They aim to prepare workers for the green economy and provide pathways for career changers and upskilling.
Are there any specific skills Leicester College helps develop for career changers?
Yes, Leicester College offers adult upskilling programmes that focus on essential workplace competencies such as literacy, numeracy, and digital skills. These are crucial for individuals looking to make a career change or enhance their fundamental employability.
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