The 157 Group has responded to analysis by the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP), that compares Ofsted inspection judgements of Further Education Colleges and Independent Training Providers (ITPs).
Dr Lynne Sedgmore CBE, executive director of the 157 Group, noted that Stewart Segal, chief executive of the AELP, was "absolutely right to highlight the fact that delivery models are complex and often rely on partnership between FE colleges and ITPs. Yet, the focus of the report, comparing the two, seems to encourage greater competition when we know that effective provision relies on collaboration building on the strengths of a variety of providers.
"This is further highlighted by the AELP's own analysis that demonstrates the gulf in performance between Further Education Colleges, and ITPs on the one hand, and employer provision on the other; 60% of the latter provision was judged to be inadequate or requiring improvement.
"We must be careful in using Ofsted judgements which offer a snapshot of institutional performance to make broader assessments on the performance of whole sectors. What the AELP study does show however is that FE Colleges are delivering outstanding education across the board and were more likely to achieve outstanding judgements for overall performance, for study programmes, for apprenticeship provision, for student outcomes, for teaching and learning, and for leadership and management.
"This analysis should be seen as a vindication of the hard work of colleges and ITPs as well as a warning to those who wish to see greater control of skills provision by employers at the expense of colleges and providers. To keep on improving education and skills provision in this country we must seek to build on the existing positive relationships between Colleges, providers, and employers in order to foster greater collaboration and utilise the strengths of all involved."