Independent Training Services Ltd. (ITS) achieves Good Ofsted grade

Three people stood in front of a tv screen with two banners stating ITS have achieved good across the board when judged by OFSTED.

[L-R] Yiannis Koursis OBE, ITS and Barnsley College Principal and CEO; Steve Hepworth, ITS Managing Director; and David Akeroyd, Barnsley College’s Deputy Principal for Development and Productivity celebrating their Good OFSTED grade.

Following a recent OFSTED inspection, Independent Training Services Ltd. (ITS) has been recognised as a ‘Good’ provider of funded adult programmes and apprenticeships across all judgements.

Established more than 30 years ago, ITS has maintained its Ofsted Good grade since 2014 across two successive inspections.

“The team work tirelessly to deliver high quality apprenticeship training and adult programmes nationally, as well as assisting businesses in upskilling their teams and developing high-level skills.”

Inspectors looked at the quality of education, student behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, adult learning programmes and apprenticeships, all of which were praised in the report.

The inspection found that the training provider has a clear curriculum intent to provide apprenticeships and adult skills training that meets the needs of local and regional businesses, whilst also providing targeted specialist training, predominantly in the adult care and professional services sectors.

 Yiannis Koursis OBE, Director of ITS and Principal and Chief Executive of Barnsley College, said: “We are proud that ITS has achieved ‘Good’ once again in its most recent OFSTED inspection.

“Steve and the team at ITS work tirelessly to deliver high quality apprenticeship training and adult programmes nationally, as well as assisting businesses in upskilling their teams and developing high-level skills. This inspection demonstrates our ongoing commitment to ensuring we serve our students and employers by delivering a curriculum that meets their needs both now and in the future.”

Kay Dickinson, Chair of ITS Trustees, added: “We are delighted to have maintained our Good outcome since March 2014. I’d like to thank our fantastic staff for their continued hard work and dedication to supporting our students to achieve their qualifications so that they can advance their careers.”

Steve Hepworth, Managing Director of ITS, commented: “This is a fantastic achievement. I’d like to extend a big thank you to everyone who was involved in the inspection, including our students, employers and partner organisations for their support.

“We are focused on further improving our delivery and will continue to develop our provision to provide employer-led qualifications and skills training that meets the needs of the local and national skills agenda.”

ITS is a national training provider and subsidiary of Barnsley College, offering a range of apprenticeships and flexible adult courses in industries including Business; Childcare; Digital; Health and Social Care; and Leadership and Management. Courses can be delivered in the workplace, online, or at ITS’ Barnsley-based campus.

Read the full report on the OFSTED website (opens in new tab).

Last updated: 18th July 2023

Originally posted on: 18th July 2023

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