As Christmas approaches, it feels like the perfect moment to pause and reflect on what has been a truly outstanding 2025 for everyone at VQ Solutions Ltd. This year has brought external recognition, programme growth, and exceptional results for our learners and employer partners.
Ofsted ‘Good’ in June 2025
In June 2025, VQ Solutions was inspected by Ofsted and received an overall Good grade following a rigorous four-day inspection involving six inspectors. This result, which included Outstanding for behaviour and attitudes, was only possible thanks to the professionalism of our staff, the commitment of our learners, and the support of the employers we work with.
The inspection recognised our high achievement rates, strong curriculum, and the excellent conduct and motivation of our apprentices in the workplace. It also highlighted the strength of our employer partnerships and the positive destinations and progression that our apprentices secure.
Experienced Worker Assessment Success
In 2025, not only did we become the only Joint Industry Board (JIB) preferred provider for Network Cable Installer programmes, but we also launched delivery of the Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) for network cable installers, a one-day practical and theoretical assessment route. This provides experienced engineers with a qualification that supports applications for an ECS Network Infrastructure Installer Gold Card, recognising their skills and enabling them to access more advanced on-site roles.
The EWA has already proven hugely popular, with engineers actively progressing through the process and achieving recognition for their work over many years. Feedback from participants and employers has been highly positive, underlining the value of this focused and efficient route to accreditation.
Outstanding Achievement Rates
Academic performance at VQ Solutions remains a source of real pride. We finished the 2024/25 academic year with an 82% achievement rate, around 20% above the national apprenticeship achievement rate of just over 60%. This firmly places VQ Solutions in the top cohort of apprenticeship training providers across the sector.
Within that 82% are some particularly impressive programme outcomes:
- Every Network Engineer apprentice achieved a distinction. All of our Network Cable Installers gained their qualifications, making them eligible for ECS Gold, and 75% have achieved a distinction.
- 100% of learners who sat their end-point assessment across Business Administrator, Team Leader and Operations Manager programmes achieved their qualification. Not only did all Operations Managers gain ILM status, but 83% also gained a distinction.
- Every Multi-Channel Marketer and Marketing Executive apprentice achieved a distinction.
- Every HR Support apprentice achieved a distinction.
These results reflect the hard work of our apprentices, the expertise and dedication of our trainers, and the support offered by line managers and mentors in the workplace. They also build on a long-term track record of performance significantly above national averages.
Growing People Professional and Network Cable Installer Provision
Our People Professional apprenticeship continues to grow rapidly, with more organisations choosing VQ Solutions as their provider of choice for upskilling HR and people teams through their apprenticeship levy. Employers value the blend of practical application, expert tutors and strong support structures that enable staff to develop capability while remaining productive in their role.
Meanwhile, our Network Cable Installer training centre in Harrogate has been further developed, including investment in new equipment to enhance hands-on learning. We now run monthly courses to meet strong demand, helping apprentices and employers access high-quality, sector-relevant training in a purpose-built environment.
Thank You to Our Community
It has been a busy but fabulous year: an excellent Ofsted outcome, continued development of our course content, expansion of our offer, and truly outstanding achievement rates across our programmes. None of this would have been possible without the collective efforts of our staff, learners and employers.
A sincere thank you to everyone who has contributed to the success of apprenticeships at VQ Solutions in 2025. Here’s to building on this momentum and creating even more opportunities and achievements in 2026.