- Thatcham Research achieves 92% QAR score
- Increase in number of learners achieving apprenticeships on time
- At a time when the National Audit Office’s (NAO) report reveals apprenticeship starts have fallen substantially, Thatcham Research apprenticeship results grow
Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) confirm Thatcham Research Automotive Academy has recorded 92% for its apprenticeship training Qualification Achievement Rates* (QAR).
This result is remarkable given the average success rate in England is just 67% and the NAO latest report confirms a third of apprentices are trained by providers rated ‘Inadequate’ or ‘Requiring Improvement’ by Ofsted.
Since 2004, Thatcham Research Automotive Academy has trained over 1,550 apprentices and more than 60 will be graduating at the annual Graduation Ceremony in June.
Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services at Thatcham Research comments, “We are extremely proud of this result. Apprentices want to know that after 27 months of hard work, they are ready and able to play a full role in a bodyshop, while employers want to know that an apprentice will have the necessary skills and knowledge to complete repairs to a high standard.
“Training through the Thatcham Research Automotive Academy ensures apprentices are trained to repair the most advanced technologies by industry experts. However, without the support apprentices receive in the workplace from employers and mentors this result would not be possible. Congratulations to all our apprentices – this is down to your hard work.”
The Automotive Academy offers exciting new career opportunities, exposing apprentices to the latest vehicles and technology whilst learning the latest technical repair methods to keep vehicles and road users safe. Employers can be reassured that apprenticeship training with Thatcham Research delivers this.
Twenty-three-year-old Kieren Cheung completed his Level 3 apprenticeship with Thatcham Research and was one of three individuals to be crowned ‘Apprentice of the Year’ in 2018.
Cheung, at Solus Accident Repair Centre said, “I wanted to gain the best experience, knowledge and qualifications to work in the motor industry and an apprenticeship is the best way to combine all three. There is no better way to start your career; you gain so much knowledge from working with people that have been in the industry for years.
“As well as on-the-job experience, I was able to feel what it was like to work under pressure, learn how to avoid making mistakes, and gain an understanding of the importance of working in a team.”
Thatcham Research’s new standards-based apprenticeship intake launches in September 2019, with spaces available in paint, panel and M.E.T. disciplines. If your business is recruiting an apprentice, and you need information and advice on the new standards-based apprenticeships, please call us on 01635 293174 or email customerservices@thatcham.org
For information on apprenticeships and training courses at the Automotive Academy visit:www.thatcham.org/apprenticeships
*Education and training QARs measure the quality of the education and training courses that a provider ran in a particular funding year and are used in the National Achievement Rate Tables to show learners and employers the relative quality of provision. The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) also use QARs as part of their inspection process.
The overall QAR calculation measures the number of learning aims or Apprenticeship frameworks that are successfully achieved, whilst the timely QAR is the number of learning aims/frameworks that are successfully achieved on or before their planned end date.