WORKINGTON based training provider Gen 2 said that they are 'working swiftly' to address shortfalls after an Ofsted inspection deemed the centre as 'requiring improvement'.

The inspection was last assessed in February, 2011.

At the time of the inspection, there were 1,265 apprentices studying from level 2-6 apprenticeship standards.

The report found that 'too many learners and apprentices say that they are dissatisfied with their training' citing that half of young people on access to apprenticeship programmes found their course 'disorganised'.

Although the report said that senior leaders at Gen 2 had a strategy to meet the skills requirements needed in the region, inspectors said: "Leaders and managers have not ensured that all learners and apprentices receive consistently high-quality training.

"This is because leaders do not have sufficient oversight of the quality of education for most learning programmes"

Ofsted suggested that governance arrangements at the centre are not effective.

Inspectors said: "Leaders are not held to account for the quality of education they provide.

"The board’s focus has been primarily on finance as opposed to improving the quality of education for learners and apprentices.

However Ofsted said that leaders have recently put in place a new governance board, who had met once prior to the inspection.

The report highlighted some positives including 'attitudes of learners'.

Inspectors said: "The large majority of learners and apprentices demonstrate positive attitudes to their learning. They are respectful to each other, staff and work colleagues. Most value the well-being and personal development support they receive from staff."

Amanda Towers, Managing Director of Gen2 said: "We acknowledge the Ofsted report and are working swiftly to address the areas for improvement identified.

READ MORE: Carlisle plans for 50 homes

"At Gen2 positive outcomes for our learners are at the heart of everything we do, so we were pleased that Ofsted recognises that the large majority of our learners and apprentices demonstrate positive attitudes to their learning and improve the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to be successful at work.

"Gen2’s learners continue to achieve some of the highest success rates in the country, with achievement rates 20% above the national average and with 90% of our learners progressing directly into employment or further/higher education."

"These results buck the national trend, with Gen2’s achievement and progression rates rising during the pandemic, in the face of a substantial fall nationally, something we are extremely proud of."

"Our customers and learners, and their families, can rest assured that we continue to be committed to delivering excellence in everything that we do and that we will work swiftly to address the areas for improvement identified by Ofsted."

READ MORE: Victim of fatal A66 road traffic collision identified