Feedback from the regulator and our apprentices
As apprentice training providers, we are regulated by Ofsted.
Michael D Akers Consulting, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Advanced Analytics Solutions, received its first full inspection in September 2024. We were evaluated in four categories (The quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development and Leadership and management) on a marking scale with four levels (Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement and Inadequate). We were evaluated as Good in all four categories and Good overall. We reproduce below the full text of the Ofsted report, which was published on October 3, 2024:
Information about this provider
Michael D Akers Management Consulting (MDA) is a small, independent learning provider based in Canterbury, Kent. It specialises in training apprentices in business improvement strategy and methods, using Lean Six Sigma and project management principles and tools.
At the time of the inspection, there were 22 apprentices in learning. Of these, 15 apprentices were studying level 4 improvement practitioner. The remainder were studying level 5 improvement specialist and level 6 improvement leader. All apprentices were aged over 19 and none were in receipt of high needs funding.
Level 4 apprentices attend training and one-to-one coaching in their workplace on three days of each month. Those on level 5 and 6 programmes receive most of their training and coaching online.
In a new provider monitoring visit in November 2022, inspectors judged MDA to have achieved ‘significant progress’ in two areas and ‘reasonable progress’ in one area.
What is it like to be a learner with this provider?
Apprentices benefit from a professional and supportive learning environment. They rightly value the high-quality teaching and support they receive from expert trainers, who help them to master complex Lean Six Sigma improvement methods effectively. Apprentices are keen to learn and apply innovative solutions to problems in the workplace. Consequently, they attend well and are motivated to achieve successfully, which the majority do.
Apprentices develop new knowledge, skills and behaviours quickly. They are equipped well to question previous quality improvement systems at work and suggest new approaches. For example, level 5 specialists and level 6 leaders use Lean Six Sigma techniques to reduce waste in manufacturing processes and improve the performance of teams successfully. As a result, apprentices make a significant contribution to increasing quality and productivity, and reducing costs, in their organisations. Many gain additional responsibilities or promotion at work.
Apprentices demonstrate positive and respectful attitudes. Level 4 practitioners work together purposefully on group projects, offering valuable encouragement and mutual support. They listen carefully to their peers and trainers, share ideas and respect the views of others, even when they differ from their own. Apprentices grow in confidence and resilience because of their training. For instance, trainers coach them to become more fluent in giving presentations and responding to feedback. This helps apprentices to improve their personal impact when they present projects to senior leaders at work.
Apprentices improve their understanding of relevant and helpful topics, such as online safety, managing stress, and equality and diversity. For example, apprentices use their knowledge of the Equality Act to make suitable adjustments in the workplace for staff with health problems and disabilities. As such, they become better leaders and managers.
Apprentices feel safe and know how to report concerns should they need to. Most know how to stay safe from the risks of radicalisation. They participate in training to help them identify potential threats, such as right-wing extremism. Trainers support apprentices well. They check regularly on apprentices’ well-being at work and in training.
What does the provider do well and what does it need to do better?
Leaders have well-established relationships with national and global industries in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and nuclear waste management. They work closely with these employers to make sure that the curriculum is ambitious and meets their essential business needs. Leaders tailor programmes carefully to the industry context of the employer and working patterns of apprentices. For example, leaders and employers agree the priorities for apprentices’ projects, such as how to accurately forecast the demand for critical care medicine. Consequently, employers value the knowledge and skills that apprentices develop to improve business efficiency in their organisations successfully.
Leaders and trainers plan and teach the curriculum in a logical order. They make sure that apprentices have the essential knowledge they need before progressing to more challenging topics. For example, level 4 practitioners learn about project design before they are taught to use complex Lean Six Sigma improvement tools, such as measuring systems analysis. As a result, most apprentices build their knowledge and skills over time and make positive progress.
Leaders recruit apprentices appropriately. They work closely with employers to assess apprentices’ starting points using skills scans and one-to-one discussion. Trainers use this information to adapt their teaching to meet apprentices’ needs well. They use effective teaching strategies and provide helpful support for apprentices with additional support needs, such as dyslexia. As a result, the majority of apprentices, including those with additional needs, achieve their qualifications successfully.
Highly experienced and qualified trainers teach new and challenging concepts expertly. They break down complex improvement techniques into simple steps, using clear explanation and real-world examples skilfully. They check apprentices’ understanding carefully. For example, trainers help level 4 practitioners to understand and use value stream mapping methods correctly. Consequently, apprentices apply their knowledge and skills to increasingly challenging tasks effectively, such as improving human resource management.
Trainers help apprentices to develop their literacy and numeracy skills to a high level. For example, apprentices are taught to use statistical tools such as T tests and regression accurately in their project work. They produce useful visual graphs including Pareto, histograms and time series plots to identify problems and solutions.
However, a small number of apprentices who require functional skills qualifications are not taught these early enough in the programme. Although apprentices do achieve these qualifications before their planned end date, their progress in developing these skills is slowed.
Trainers provide helpful feedback on apprentices’ work. This helps them to understand the quality of their work and improve it further. Apprentices benefit from careful preparation for their assessments. Trainers coach them skilfully using practice discussions and mock presentations. Consequently, most apprentices achieve merit and distinction grades.
Trainers work closely with most employers to co-ordinate apprentices’ training in or away from the workplace effectively. They make sure that most employers understand and support apprentices’ progress well. As a result, apprentices quickly develop fluency in their skills and use these to make improvements at work.
Trainers provide most apprentices with useful careers advice and guidance in training sessions and progress reviews. For example, they help apprentices to consider how their transferrable skills in lean improvement can be used in different jobs and sectors. Consequently, most apprentices are well informed about their next steps.
Leaders understand the strengths and weaknesses of their provision well. They identified rightly that too many apprentices at one employer were leaving their programme early. They have taken decisive action to strengthen employers’ commitment, so that apprentices have sufficient time to train away from work to complete their studies.
Trainers monitor apprentices’ progress carefully with employers to make sure that they do not fall behind. As a result, the number of apprentices who complete and achieve their qualifications has increased significantly.
Governors are suitably familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. They use their skills and experience to provide effective support and challenge to leaders, which leads to improvements in training. For example, they monitor closely the number of apprentices completing their courses.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
What does the provider need to do to improve?
As of September 2024, all our apprentices who had taken their End Point Assessment had earned the qualification they set out to achieve. We are delighted to say that 82% of our Apprentices so far have achieved a Merit or Distinction.
A number of our apprentices have gone on to receive a promotion or favourable career move at their employer.
Our most recent testimonials:
“From the L4 I have gained the structured approach to a project and learned about the processes used to ensure that the scope, objectives, timeline, and deliverables were managed effectively using relevant Lean and Statistical tools. David emphasised through all the apprenticeship about value and non-value-added activities to the business, so to ensure that both the learning and the project outcomes were met.
David has adapted his teaching style to caters to L4, L5 and L6 ensuring that all participants succeeded. His lesson plans made challenging concepts easier to understand by incorporating real-world examples into his lessons to help participants to relate to the learning materials. His use of technology in the classroom enhanced participants’ learning experience whilst consistently reinforcing optimum project presentation and delivery. I am forever grateful for David’s guidance, support, and encouragement”.
– Laura Ortego-Rubio, Fresenius Kabi
“I have completed the level 4 apprenticeship in Lean Six Sigma with David at Advanced Analytics Solutions. I have thoroughly enjoyed the course, the supporting material, the training and the knowledge I have gained along the way. There were some small delays for my project, however David was always understanding and encouraging. He supported me throughout and was a huge factor in me achieving a distinction. I look forward to future projects and the opportunity to demonstrate my skills to senior managers of FK. Thank you!”
– Allie Walker, Fresenius Kabi
“I started my apprenticeship journey on the L4 course whilst working in one firm, and ended it on an L5 course whilst working for a different firm after a career boosting job move. Throughout this, David was absolutely fantastic. Not only did he share his wealth of knowledge with the class in a really engaging way, but he always made sure to give me a few little nudges along the way (that I didn’t know I needed). In addition, he provided a safe environment to ask questions, challenge ideas, and ‘get things wrong’, and every bit of feedback that I had was constructive. David was perfect in adapting his style to suit both my needs and my circumstances, and I thoroughly believe that I wouldn’t have achieved both my grade and my new job without his support.
The course in itself is engaging and worthwhile, but it’s David’s gift to make it come to life in a practical and relatable way that I really want to endorse. I hold undergrad and postgrad qualifications, and I can honestly say that my training with David far surpasses my previous academic experiences in terms of practicability and support.”
– Jodie McIlwain, Fresenius Kabi
“I completed my L6 Improvement Leader Apprenticeship in 2023 with a merit. All my thanks go to Mike & David, who expertly trained and coached me through to success. Their knowledge of the methodologies, the apprenticeship requirements and how and when to apply the various techniques and tools are unsurpassed. Just when I thought I had reached a pretty good level of understanding in a subject, David would introduce another gem of background information. There are a lot of Lean Six Sigma trainers out there who simply teach the tools and students qualify without any real experience or idea of how to apply methodologies or pick the right tool for the job. Advanced Analytics Solutions have left my students and project leaders with the knowledge and confidence to deliver real value to our business.”
– Rob Menzies, Fresenius Kabi
“I have completed the level 5 apprenticeship in Lean Six Sigma with Advanced Analytics Solutions, their material was very engaging and supportive for my specific needs. The tools learned on this course have supported me in improving my team efficiency, and support others in their pursue of continuous improvement. I have learned unique skills to boost my career to a new level by learning new techniques to showcase my achievements to the executive team.”
– Sofia Marques, Fresenius Kabi
“Being introduced to Lean/Six Sigma has 100% changed my life by totally changing my mindset in how to approach improvement ideas and giving me the springboard to be successful in applying to become a team leader. I look forward to increasing my own knowledge going forward and giving others the opportunities that I have been able to take advantage of and help foster a continuous improvement culture within FK.”
– Ryan Hopwood, Fresenius Kabi
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my apprenticeship and I have learnt a lot of new skills along the way which I cannot wait to put into practice. From start to finish the support from the training provider has been first class both during face to face sessions and also via remote learning. The knowledge and expertise of the trainers was excellent and the training sessions that were delivered were really enjoyable. The time and effort put into supporting me leading up to the end point assessment was invaluable and was very much appreciated. Thanks a lot to everyone involved.”
– Rob Cully, Fresenius Kabi
“MDA Consulting made the journey through my Level 4 Improvement Practitioner qualification very enjoyable. Every aspect of the training was aimed at providing me with the tools and information needed to fully understand the Lean Six Sigma principles. There were times when things got on top of me but the trainer was always available to put my mind at rest and I believe this caring approach played a huge part in helping me achieve a distinction.
Gaining this qualification has enable me to push on within my role as Continuous Improvement Lead and give me the confidence, knowledge and tools to highlight significant improvements within my workplace”
– Rob Currie, Fresenius Kabi
