Ofsted Success

Ofsted Success for The Best Connection Apprenticeship Team

The Training and Apprenticeship team at The Best Connection, one of the UK's leading suppliers of flexible staffing solutions, is celebrating after being rated as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, the national training and education regulator.

The rating, the highest possible grade, is reserved for the very best training providers across the country and ranks The Best Connection alongside long-established prestigious organisations such as The Ministry of Defence, the National Grid and Specsavers. Impressively, given that this was its first full Government inspection, the organisation was rated Outstanding in every single category.

The Best Connection has been delivering apprenticeships for many years, and officially became an employer provider in 2021. During that time, it has successfully trained over 80 apprentices, many of whom have seamlessly transitioned into thriving careers within the organisation. The programme is designed to train recruitment consultants to support its core business of supplying temporary labour to a range of sectors, including industrial, driving, warehouse, distribution, and logistics. With over 85 branches across the UK, the programme offers local places at branch level, supported by a centralised Training and Apprenticeship team.

Offering apprenticeships at three levels - recruitment consultant standard at level 3, the business administrator standard at level 3 and the customer service practitioner standard at level 2 - the organisation currently has 46 apprentices, aged 19 years or older.

Within its report, Ofsted praised many areas of the programme, recognising the value the organisation places on its apprentices, stating that 'The apprenticeships provide valuable development opportunities for both new and existing staff.' All apprentices are provided with a Training Plan to guide them through their programme and have access to the Recruitment Employment Confederation to further their industry knowledge. The trainers have very close relationships with branch managers to provide a strong support network for all apprentices, with regular feedback to build their knowledge and confidence in a professional environment.

The Training team was commended for its 'highly effective teaching strategies', making use of a broad range of techniques, including classroom-based sessions, on-line learning and role-play. Training is flexible and dynamic, delivered by 'highly skilled teachers' and adapted to the learner and their progression, leading to a very high number of Distinctions being achieved upon completion of the course.

Joanne Pritchard, Apprenticeship Manager, welcomed the assessment.

'We are all absolutely delighted with the Outstanding rating,' she said. 'It is testament to the expertise and dedication of our training team, who are absolutely committed to securing the best outcomes for our apprentices.'

'In addition, it is a wonderful recognition of the efforts of our apprentices, who work very hard to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviour required for a career in Recruitment. We are incredibly proud of them.'

The inspection also focused on the experiences of the learners at The Best Connection and had much to say about the quality of the work environment and the culture of the organisation. 'Motivated' apprentices 'enjoy learning, have high attendance are ambitious for the future' knowing that their apprenticeship 'will develop the knowledge and skills that can help them to be successful in their career'. In addition, apprentices are encouraged to participate in community and charitable initiatives, to help build wider relationships across the organisation and its local communities.

Mobeen, an apprentice from our Stockport branch, has nothing but praise for the programme.

'I have had brilliant support from trainers throughout the programme so knew I was not on my own. If my trainer wasn't there, I knew I could ask someone else in the team

My manager provided me with the necessary time to focus on my tasks, and my team willingly collaborated, offering their support on various aspects of my apprenticeship.

In my role on the driving desk, I've really enjoyed building strong relationships with the drivers. This has been particularly rewarding, especially when helping them secure work during crucial times.'

To find out more visit here or contact our Talent team on 0121 504 3129.

You can read the full Ofsted report here: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/30/2674164