A FORESTRY Commission training centre has been slammed over its quality of education and apprenticeships. 

The FC's Technical Training Centre - where 14 apprentices learn how to use equipment such as chainsaws - was given the second-lowest rating by watchdog Ofsted following two visits to the Staffordshire site in June. 

In a recent report, inspectors found fault in a number of areas, highlighting the fact not all learners were made aware of career opportunities within the industry. Senior managers were also criticised for being "slow" to improve the quality of education, leading to "poor attendance" and apprentices becoming "demotivated". 

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Giving the Rugeley centre a "requires improvement" rating, poor record keeping was also cited by Ofsted officials as a major fault.

However, there was praise for the FC, too, with senior leaders' 'clear strategy', 'extensive technical and practical training', and 'knowledgeable staff' all mentioned in the report. The atmosphere at the centre was also singled out as an area of strength. 

Mike Seddon, Forestry England chief executive, said: “Forestry England currently has 15 Forest Operative apprentices and they are very important to us. It is critical to keep attracting new people to the forestry sector and apprenticeships can offer a great start to what is often a career for life.

“This is the first Ofsted inspection Forestry England has had and the whole purpose of the inspections is to help us understand what we are doing well, and need to keep doing, as well as what we need to do better. The report says most apprentices enjoy their apprenticeship, forestry skills training is well delivered, and Forestry England has a very clear strategy for developing apprenticeships.

“We have taken the Ofsted report seriously and put in place a quality improvement plan which we believe will achieve a grading of good or outstanding when we are re-inspected.”