A training centre has been awarded top marks by the Government following a thorough Ofsted-style inspection.

Prospects Training, based in Fairfax Drive and Vanguard Way, Southend, was given an unprecedented seven grade one "outstanding" marks for the quality of the vocational training offered in engineering and construction training.

It will not need to be inspected for another four years while half of the other training groups inspected received an unsatisfactory grade four or five and will have to be re-inspected within a year.

It has offered vocational courses in the Southend area since 1969 and is one of the largest training providers in Essex. Nearly 4,000 people are trained each year at its two skills centres.

The Government-appointed Training Standards Council, responsible for checking the quality of the 1,800 vocational providers in the country, sent seven inspectors who interviewed trainees, staff and employers over 22 days.

The inspectors' report, published on the internet, said the standard of training in the two categories was "excellent" and the trainers made "outstanding use of their industrial experience".

Training programmes were considered highly flexible and provided trainees with good opportunities for learning.

In addition, it said Prospects made outstanding efforts to encourage disadvantaged people onto its programmes and said there was a well informed strategic leadership within the company.

Neil Bates, Prospects chief executive, said he was delighted with the Government report.

He said: "I am absolutely thrilled with the results of what was a very comprehensive and thorough inspection.

"I am especially pleased the report recognises the efforts we have made to offer learning opportunities to the most disadvantaged in our community. The report also confirms the high standards we have set for the organisation.

"Inspectors are not given to using words such as excellent and outstanding easily and the results are a tribute to the effort and dedication of our staff."

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