Apprenticeship providers are “seething” over a delay to education budget tender results. 

In an update yesterday, the Education Skills Funding Agency told training providers that the award decisions would not be issued that day - and that potential contractors would be notified on the outcome of their bids “shortly”.

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Association of Employment and Learning Providers chief executive Jane Hickie said the delay was “simply unacceptable” after the announcement has already been delayed once.

She said: “For those providers that win contracts, they have only a month to prepare for delivery, which will delay some programme roll-outs in areas where the re-skilling of adults is an absolute imperative as part of the recovery from the pandemic.

“The consequences for existing AEB contractors who have missed out on awards in this procurement round are equally serious, especially in terms of staffing.

“AELP members are seething over this. This latest episode is another to add to the government’s ever-lengthening rap sheet on poorly handled procurement exercises. Learners and hard-working provider staff deserve better.”

Bidding for the £73 million AEB funding opened in February and closed in March. The service date is set for 1 August. 

The Department for Eduction has been contacted for comment.