The report has awarded BEST a Grade 2 status, recognising the effectiveness of the organisation, its achievements, standards, quality of provision, leadership and management. Most significantly, the Ofsted inspection team concluded: “BEST has demonstrated that it has outstanding capacity to improve.

“BEST has very effective links with a wide range of employers, and learners benefit from some excellent training opportunities. Employers have a high level of confidence in the provider’s quality arrangements, while training advisors have a very good knowledge of local and regional training needs and opportunities.”

Mark Brenner, Chief Executive of BEST, commented: “We are delighted with the Ofsted report, which reinforces BEST’s position within the sector. This is already yielding benefits, boosting funding, and ultimately increasing the number of learners we are able to support.

“When added to further growth in Scotland, new contract funding for Wales and our new venture in Northern Ireland, this presents a very healthy picture for BEST moving forward.”

The report highlighted BEST’s key strengths, including a high success rate on apprenticeships, the high standard of learners’ work and development of their skills, together with a commitment to learner support and good on-the-job training. It also praised the calibre of learners and their ability to demonstrate good presentation, and interpersonal skills.

This comes at a time when BEST is celebrating significant growth, following a recent formal alliance with Electrical Assessment Services UK Limited (EAS UK Ltd). In addition, the organisation continues to secure further regional training contracts, reinforcing its national reach.

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