LSC expected to exceed operating budget

15:30 14th May 2009

The Learning Skills Council (LSC) will overrun its annual operating budget for 2009-10, according to a letter viewed by the Guardian.

Operating budgets are expected to overrun for the 25+ apprenticeship programme and the Train to Gain scheme, both of which are designed to offer learning opportunities and help adults pursue career changes and find new jobs.

John Lucas, skills adviser at the British Chamber of Commerce, said the organisation needed to be more careful with its accounts, while also maintaining interest in training programmes until the budgets could be expanded.

Mr Lucas said: "Businesses who wish to train their staff will have to wait until the new accounting season begins in August/September [this year]."

He added that this is far from ideal, considering the government is encouraging an increased take-up in training at the moment to ensure the UK is in the best position when the economy begins to recover.

Many training providers have had to turn employers away as they lack the funds to run relevant programmes.