Ofsted inspectors have given Keele an overall judgment of “Good” for its apprenticeship and skills provision following a full inspection in June this year, with Keele’s skills bootcamps on Net Zero Carbon and Smart Energy Transition, and Place-based Decarbonisation, receiving the top rating of “Outstanding”. 

The report, published this week, contained positive comments from inspectors across the board, rating Keele’s provision “Good” for overall effectiveness, and “Good” across the judgment areas of quality of education, leadership and management, and personal development opportunities for apprentices and learners. 

Inspectors not only praised the “clear strategy” for this provision, but also the co-creation with employers, “extensive experience and expertise” of the lecturers, and high level of engagement of the apprentices and learners who gained “confidence and professionalism through their learning”. 

Professor Kristyan Spelman-Miller, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education at Keele, welcomed the positive report and said: “Over recent years we have expanded and diversified our apprenticeships and now offer provision in all three Faculties over 12 standards. We have also developed highly innovative short courses in key areas of strength for the University. Designed in partnership with employers and external stakeholders, this provision is important to us strategically in supporting the skills and training needs of key employers and the locality.  

“We are absolutely delighted that in our recent first full Ofsted inspection over four days, we have been judged to be good overall and outstanding in relation to the short courses. This excellent outcome is testament to the expertise of our staff and the quality of education, experience and support we provide.”