FEATURE
ITPs
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE Independent training providers are a vital part of the further education mix, and one that has responded admirably to the challenges posed by Covid-19 BY VICTORIA HOLLOWAY
striking feature of the further education (FE) sector, and one which attracts a steady stream of teachers, trainers and learners, is the breadth of choice and collaboration across its environments. But with choice comes complexity and often misconceptions around what FE providers should look like. While the majority of FE is still delivered in a college environment, there is currently 10 times the amount of independent training providers (ITPs) – 2,500 in total – across the UK, according to a recent report by the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP). But despite the volume of ITPs nationally, the report also highlights the multitude of challenges they face as a relatively ‘unrecognised and under-researched’ area of TVET (technical and vocational education and training) provision. These challenges have undoubtedly become more visible during the Covid-19 pandemic. Providers still need to sell their courses to run effectively as a commercial business, without compromising the unique learning experience they offer from industry experts, and sector specialists. On a more positive note, the experience has shone a spotlight on the strengths of ITPs, the country’s diverse FE landscape and its robust links with industry, which combined make it a vital part of supporting the economy.
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Pulling together In response to the national lockdown and all 2,500 ITPs closing their physical bases, many teachers and learners in the sector embraced the power of online technology, live-streamed interactive lessons and provided virtual support to ensure learners could continue their studies. This demonstrates the sector’s emphasis on collaborating internally and externally, rather than recreating ways of working. Training providers offer much more than just a place to learn; many are also a support system for social inclusion and social mobility. Dr Barbara Van der Eecken, director of quality and service standards at Babington
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