Focus on inspection

Citation

(2005), "Focus on inspection", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 37 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2005.03737fab.007

Focus on inspection

A private training company, which receives no direct government funding, has for the first time invited the UK Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) to assess the quality of the training it is offering to customers.

Focus Training offers qualifications in exercise and fitness. Most of its learners pay the full cost of their courses themselves.

Bob Ellis, Focus Training chief executive, took the decision to invest in an ALI inspection because he wanted an independent assessment of his company’s work. He said: “Training providers that receive money from the Learning and Skills Council or other Government departments often see inspection as a necessary evil. It is something that they are obliged to do for the funding body to be confident about the quality of their work. We are not in that position but I view the process as a means of quality assuring the service that we offer our learners. Good grades give the customers confidence and give my staff and me the detailed knowledge we need in order to continue to grow. I am a business man and I view this as an investment in the company’s future.”

David Sherlock, chief inspector of adult learning, said: “We were delighted to be approached by Mr Ellis. Although we are now being paid to inspect training within industry and public sector bodies, this is the first time a private training provider has requested the service. We operate on a cost recovery basis – so the customer gets real value for money.”