Robert Halfon comments on NAO report on Learndirect Ltd
15 December 2017
Robert Halfon, Chair of the Education Committee, has questioned the practice of allocating large scale funding to a single apprenticeship provider after a highly critical NAO report on Learndirect.
Funding
The company received £121 million from central government contracts in 2016/17 and was rated ‘inadequate' by Ofsted in March this year. It is the UK's largest commercial further education provider and engages with around 75,000 learners annually.
Quality of apprenticeship training
Robert Halfon, Chair of the Committee, said:
"The conclusions of the report raise big questions about subcontracting and the quality of apprenticeship training.
I'm unconvinced and uncomfortable about the practice of giving a large sum of money to just one organisation. Particularly when the recipient subcontracts much of that training, taking a hefty cut and delivering little of value for the Government funding it receives.
High quality apprenticeships and skills training plays a key part in helping people climb the ladder of opportunity and we should look at changing this funding model and sharing the money between a larger number of smaller organisations."
The Committee launched an inquiry in to the quality of apprenticeships and skills training in November.
Further information
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