1 August 2006

ALI recognises significant improvement at BPIF training

After a gruelling inspection week at the beginning of June 2006, the ALI confirmed on 28 July that BPIF Training has achieved an overall score of Grade 2 for its delivery of apprenticeships and adults programmes to the printing industry. This is an outstanding achievement with only 12% of National Providers delivering work-based learning attaining higher scores. The report recognised that BPIF Training learners receive particularly effective support from training co-ordinators, and that programmes are well structured and fulfil employers and learners’ needs. As a work-based provider the BPIF faces additional challenges in delivering its programmes however the ALI confirmed that learners value learning in the workplace and that the quality of on-the-job training is good. Frequent and well-supported training from mentors and other colleagues takes place on the production floor. The full report can be found by visiting www.ali.gov.uk. Seven inspectors visited a total of 30 sites, interviewing 59 learners and 18 employers as well as the majority of BPIF Training staff. The inspectors judged there to be a strong leadership in place to raise standards and tackle such issues and good partnerships in place to promote and support learning. Michael Johnson is overjoyed at the result and praises his team which took radical action after failing to satisfy the ALI in its 2003 inspection: “It has been three years of hard work and unstinting commitment by the BPIF’s Head of Training Ruth Exelby and her team. When we received our earlier failing score I was determined that the industry should not only be better served, but should have access to the best training available. It’s fantastic to have ALI confirm that we are well on track to reaching that goal. However we need to keep improving and working with our partners in the sector to ensure that training delivers skills that deliver improved profitability and competitiveness to our sector.” Amicus GPMS has been an active partner in the process and Head of Learning and Skills Bernard Rutter, Amicus GPMS says: "This is not only a great result for the BPIF, but also for our members and employees within our Industry. Having worked closely with Ruth Exelby on the Partnership at Work Learning Agreement I appreciate her team’s commitment to delivering quality learning and training within companies. "The BPIF, Amicus and Proskills are working together to ensure companies and employees have the necessary skills and learning opportunities to ensure Print UK can be a major player in the Global Market." Terry Watts of the industry’s sector skills council Proskills adds: “Ensuring that printers have access to high quality skills development and that the training and qualifications available are what employers require is fundamental to the work of Proskills. In achieving a Grade 2 inspection result the BPIF have proven that it is possible to provide national coverage and high quality, a result they have every right to feel very proud of. Working with the BPIF and the other training providers Proskills should now find the case for Government funding to the print industry an easier one to prove; the onus is on employers to engage in training their workforce to achieve higher productivity." The BPIF Training team would like to thank all the learners and employers who took part in the inspection. As always we appreciate your feedback on any aspect of the delivery so if you have any comments please email Ruth Exelby.