AN apprenticeship scheme has been praised following a visit by an education watchdog.

Career Track, which oversees a number of apprenticeships in Tendring, underwent a monitoring visit by Ofsted in June.

It was found to have made significant progress in two areas and reasonable progress in the third.

An overall rating is not given during this type of visit.

The Ofsted report praised Career Track, saying leaders and managers had “an extremely good strategy for their provision”, that “they have a very good understanding of how the training they provide helps to meet wider local authority objectives”, and the “effective governance”.

It also said apprentices benefit from training that meets the business need of their employers and enhances their own career development.

Neil Stock, Tendring Council's leader, said Ofsted's praise for Career Track was well deserved.

“Career Track is a fantastic service, and one that we should be immensely proud of,” Mr Stock said.

“Not only does it support the needs of the council and the other employers it runs apprenticeships for, but it also helps train and develop our workforce – showing our commitment to education and skills.

“We know how great Career Track is, a fact recognised by the growing number of employers using the service, but to have this confirmed by Ofsted and to read the praise heaped by the inspector in the report is really the icing on the cake.

“A huge well done to the team not only for handling the Ofsted visit, which is carried out with minimal warning, but for the brilliant work they do day in and day out.”

The monitoring visit report is available on the Ofsted website.