Labour is today [Thursday] calling for urgent Government action
after the largest provider of 16-19 education in England has said
they are “horrified” at the lack of Covid tests for students
returning to in-person training this week.
Government guidance required 16 – 19 year old students to return
to in-person teaching from Monday 8 March alongside the return of
schools and colleges, yet Independent Training Providers (ITPs)
who deliver thousands of apprenticeships and traineeships, have
been told they will not receive Covid testing kits until the end
of March. JTL, the largest ITP in England and Wales has expressed
alarm at the lack of support from Government.
Labour is calling on the Government to urgently provide ITPs with
the support they need to provide Covid-safe learning
environments. Shadow Minister for Further Education and Skills,
, said the Government’s actions again show their
neglect of vocational education, following Ministers’ chaotic
handling of BTEC exams in January left thousands of students
worrying about achieving their qualifications.
, Shadow Minister for Further Education and
Skills, said:
“Yet again, it is clear that vocational education is an
after-thought for this Government.
“It is simply not good enough that there will be no access to
Covid testing at independent training providers until April at
the earliest, when Ministers have had months during lockdown to
get this right.
“I urge Ministers to act urgently to ensure independent training
providers are supported to provide a Covid-safe environment for
the young people and adults that they work with.”
Jon Graham, JTL’s Chief Executive, said:
“I was horrified to learn that apprentices will not have access
to Covid testing in their place of learning until at least the
end of the month.
“This sends completely the wrong messages to students, suggesting
that they are not valued or appreciated, their welfare not as
important and that choosing an apprenticeship is less worthwhile.
All myths and preconceptions that the Government says it wants to
eradicate.
“Playing fast and loose with the health and safety of our
learners, their employers and communities they serve is very
worrying indeed.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
- Government guidance states that: “From 8 March we expect that
every 16 to 19 student (or 19 to 25 with an EHCP) will attend
their FE provider in person, and will undertake the majority of
their planned hours on site. … For Independent Training Providers
(ITPs) and Adult Community Learning providers (ACLPs) home
testing will be available for staff and students from the end of
March.”
Source: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/966728/FINAL_February_FE_guidance.pdf
- JTL is the largest independent training provider in England
and Wales, working with 8,000 learners and 3,500 employers in
more than 100 locations. The charity offers apprenticeships,
traineeships, assessment services and professional development
training across the electro-technical and mechanical engineering
services sectors.
The JTL Group is made up three separate organisations which are
JTL, Develop Training and CompEx.
