A BRADFORD based charity that provides apprenticeships has been classed as good with "outstanding" aspects by Ofsted.

Laisterdyke-based Appris achieved the feat just under two years after it was told to improve by the school's inspection board.

In their newly released inspection report, Ofsted praised the "effective action" taken to turn the service around.

Appris was formed in 2011 after the merger of Bradford Training Association Limited and Leeds Training Trust. It had almost 300 apprentice learners enrolled in the past year, mainly in engineering and manufacturing programmes.

The Ofsted report describes the service as outstanding for personal development, behaviour and welfare of the apprentices, and good in each other category.

Most of the apprentices are aged between 16 and 19, and the charity provides contracts with subcontractors including Bradford College and Leeds City College.

Describing personal development at Appris, which is based at BTAL House on Sticker Lane, the report says: "Staff reinforce rigorously high professional standards. Apprentices and learners display exemplary attitudes and behaviours, which their employers value highly.

"Apprentices have excellent access to additional training and enrichment activities in, for example, welding, fork lift truck driving, and team-leading. Through these activities, they enhance their skills, make valued additional contributions in their workplaces and improve their progression opportunities.

"Apprentices and learners develop outstanding personal and social skills, alongside their development of good vocational skills."

On the success of the apprenticeships, inspectors say: "The proportion of apprentices at intermediate, advanced and higher level who achieve their planned learning goals has improved in recent years and is now high.

"Almost all apprentices who successfully complete their programmes obtain sustained employment, most with their existing employer."

It adds: "Appris actively promotes engineering as a career option to females and as a result, the number of female apprentices in engineering and manufacturing has increased in recent years. Female apprentices achieve at least as well as their male peers."

On the leadership of the charity, the report says: "Leaders and trustees have taken effective action to resolve the majority of weaknesses identified at the previous inspection. Their strategies and actions have strengthened significantly governance, the quality of teaching, learning and assessment, and the progress made by learners and apprentices."

Kenny Stoddart, Operations Director stated “We are absolutely delighted with the findings of the inspection. The report has recognised the high level of engineering skills our apprentices achieve and how this is appreciated by employers.

"The positive wording of the report is especially pleasing in relation to our Outstanding grade for personal development, behaviour and welfare.

"Work has already started on improving the areas of the provision highlighted in the report and the journey towards outstanding at our next inspection is well underway.”