Train to Gain not good value for money

-

The National Audit Office issued a report highlighting the shortcomings of the programme. The programme, which came at a cost of £1.47 billion by March 2009, has achieved benefits for employers, but victim of ‘unrealistically ambitious’ targets and ‘inconsistent implementation’ affected its efficiency, it was claimed.

Amyas Morse, the head of the National Audit Office said that better the programme should deliver better results for taxpayers.

“Train to Gain is achieving growth in training that employers value, but taxpayers have a right to expect that much more than half of the public funding should result in training that would not otherwise have occurred. Inconsistent management contributed to a slow start to the programme, followed by rapid growth and now the risk of demand exceeding budgets”, he said.

“We also need to see evidence that money is directed more to areas of greatest need, with training providers who do the best job for their learners and on bringing the whole range of business benefits to employers.”

Get our essential weekday HR news and updates.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Keep up with the latest in HR...
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Optin_date
This field is hidden when viewing the form

 

Learners’ success rates however were variable between training providers. While most training providers were above the ‘minimum standard’, over a quarter of providers were performing below the minimum level which is now being introduced.

For many learners who achieved a qualification, it was their first qualification, with the scheme reaching businesses which had not previously provided training to staff.

The Learning and Skills Council, which plans and funds the delivery of the Train to Gain programme, is now taking steps to improve both management and communication of the programme, which was previously considered confusing for employers and providers.

In lights of the strong demand for training, the report concludes that this should be used as an opportunity to focus resources on the areas most needed, while selecting the best providers.

Paul Gray is an entrepreneur and digital publisher who creates online publications focused on solving problems, delivering news, and providing platforms for informed comment and debate. He is associated with HRZone and has built businesses in the HR and professional publishing sector. His work emphasizes creating industry-specific content platforms.

Latest news

Transgender staff excluded from single-sex toilets under new equality guidance

Transgender people must be excluded from single-sex toilets and changing rooms that correspond with their lived gender under updated...

Simon Coker: Closing the emotional gap – why AI in the workplace is as much a human challenge as a technological one

AI adoption is transforming how work gets done across every sector. But its deeper impact is less visible: it is reshaping how people feel about their work.

Employment tribunal delays stretch towards 2030 as lawyers warn system is nearing collapse

Employment tribunal hearings are being delayed for years as lawyers warn mounting backlogs are undermining workplace justice.

Keeping culture and purpose at the centre of a growing fintech

A fintech people leader explains how culture, wellbeing and purpose are being protected during rapid business growth.
- Advertisement -

Migrant worker with no right to work in UK wins discrimination case against employer

An employment tribunal has ruled that a migrant worker without the legal right to work in Britain can still pursue successful discrimination claims.

Government to replace some GP sick notes with return-to-work plans

Workers in four English regions will be directed towards personalised health and employment support as ministers test alternatives to GP-issued fit notes.

Must read

3 ways to keep millennials happy in your organisation

Millennials now occupy a significant proportion of the workforce and represent 21% of the UK population. Find out 3 new ways to keep millennials happy in your organisation.

Alok Machchhar: Eyecare benefits are ranked within top three employee benefits

Why is it essential that employers are mindful of eyesight health following the lockdown?
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you