Report - Serco New Zealand Training Limited

External quality assurance report - Serco New Zealand Training Limited

Summary of Results

Statements of confidence on educational performance and on capability in self-assessment

NZQA is Not Yet Confident in the educational performance of Serco New Zealand Training Limited.

NZQA is Not Yet Confident in the capability in self-assessment of Serco New Zealand Training Limited.

• Qualification completion rates are weak (see Findings 1.1). This is largely due to flaws in programme design – where the assessment methodology is impractical and unrealistic (see Findings 1.3) – as well as a lack of capacity in Serco Training to support trainees through workplace training, and deficiencies in its system to track trainee progress and identify trainees who have stalled in progression towards the qualification (see Findings 1.5 and 1.6).

• Internal post-assessment moderation has not been conducted since February 2014 (see Findings 1.1 and 1.4).

• The quality of training delivered by seconded instructors/assessors and guest speakers is unknown as Serco Training did not collect sufficient data to quality assure the training (see Findings 1.4).

• Direction from governance was overly focused on ensuring sufficient supply of prison officers. Because Serco Training was not adequately resourced, this emphasis led to a sacrifice in qualification completion, putting Serco employees at risk of not refining their skills while operating in a complex and high-risk prison environment (see Findings 1.2 and 1.6).

However, the evaluation team identified some positive aspects during the on-site visit:

• Serco Training met the most critical needs of its client, Serco, as well as Serco’s new employees, by providing the necessary initial training that meets the legal requirements for working as a prison officer. Trainees valued the training delivered by the two full-time instructors/assessors and considered themselves equipped with the skills required to commence work as prison officers without any surprises (see Findings 1.2).

• Serco Training provides Serco, its only client, with sufficient prison officers to staff the Mount Eden and Auckland South prisons (see Findings 1.3).

• The two full-time instructors/assessors have extensive experience in prison management and are qualified in the subject matter as well as in adult education. Professional development is well supported (see Findings 1.4).

• Serco Training realised the need to improve educational achievement for the National Certificate in Prison Management programme. The assessment approach and methodology have been redesigned and this received the full

Full report: 7149.pdf

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