Every day, as more stringent requirements are enforced upon the nation, we are updating how we as a training provider work and structure our days to ensure that the government’s protocol is reflected across our organisation. As it has always been, our key objective is to support those individuals on training programmes, which are so important to their future, the economy and their employers who have entrusted us to deliver core apprenticeships, and that doesn’t stop now – it’s just about how it’s done.

How we act within the current climate is what will encourage positive, strong relationships now and in the future, and this is what all industries should be looking at where viable. We are finding new ways to work collaboratively with our employers to ensure that we can continue to deliver training to students and have moved to an online enrolment process. Our monthly student visits are also now being delivered remotely. No longer are meetings conducted unless they are over the phone or via a conferencing call. We offer remote working lunches with clients, which means we can go through the formalities of business while keeping it relaxed.

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Free online courses for six weeks

In an attempt to alleviate strain on our economy and to ensure that individuals are still being offered the opportunity to achieve their potential during a period of unprecedented uncertainty, Qube Learning is providing free online courses to all students for six weeks. After this date, should we still be sitting within the Covid-19 crisis, we will look at what the next step is to continue to provide a consistent support network to students and employers. And, with detailed conversations happening with the education department, we are looking at opportunities around programmes that can be developed to assist people who have lost their income due to the virus and provide further help for people who will need to retrain once this is over.

I understand that providers across their sector are doing all they can to cope with the situation but what we need is solid government help. The training sector needs the government to ensure a solid financial support structure is in place and working to get us through this period, which in turn will help businesses and those individuals who work for them. It’s a time to give our industry robust reassurance in the best way possible, to find solutions and work closely with those who need us.

Joe Crossley is chief executive of Qube Learning