22 August 2001

PUBLIC URGED TO BE VIGILANT IN UNOFFICIAL LEARNING ACCOUNTS

The Department for Employment and Learning is warning the public to be vigilant when they sign up for Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) this autumn.

The advice follows recent reports of people being approached in the street or at home by canvassers offering to arrange an Individual Learning Account, giving the impression that free training can be provided as a result. It has also been reported that people or community and sports organisations are being offered cash inducements to get friends or members to sign up for ILAs.

Speaking about these allegations the Department’s Head of Lifelong Learning and Qualifications, Mr Billy Nelson said: "We are currently investigating recent reports about canvassers claiming to represent particular training providers or even a Government Department. These unauthorised approaches are outside of the ILA scheme and genuine providers do not operate in this way.

"Our advice if you are approached to sign up for an ILA in a suspicious manner is to contact the learndirect help-line 0800 100 900 or the Department for Employment and Learning. If you have already received your ILA card under no circumstances should you give your individual membership number to anyone until you are actually signing up for your course with the approved provider of your choice. In dealing with these canvassers you may find that you have in effect signed away your ILA entitlement for the year.

"The Department takes these reports very seriously and will not hesitate to take the appropriate measures necessary, including police action, against those not acting within the rules of this programme for lifelong learning.

"While these reports cause concern they are few in comparison with the number of people who have already taken out and successfully used an ILA. Since the scheme was introduced nearly a year ago, 20,000 Northern Ireland people have used their Individual Learning Accounts. In a recent survey over 90% of ILA users were perfectly satisfied with the learning they had received. We do not want the scheme or the reputation of the many genuine providers to be tarnished by the actions of a few."

Media enquiries to Kevin Mulhern, Press Office, telephone 028 9025 7790 or mobile 07799 711523

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Individual Learning Accounts, which were introduced in September 2000, have proved to be a very successful innovation. An ILA allows the holder up to 80% off the cost of a wide range of part-time education and training courses. In a recent survey over 92% of those who had used their Account card said it was easy to use and, more importantly, had their expectations of their courses met or exceeded.

ILAs are now accepted by over 200 organisations in Northern Ireland. These include Colleges, universities and many well-known private and community based training organisations. If you require any advice ring the learndirect help-line on 0800 100 900. The call will be free, and you will be connected to an impartial and fully trained adviser who can help you choose the right course for you from over 12,000 courses within Northern Ireland. You will also be told whether the course you are interested in is eligible for an ILA discount. If you think a personal interview with a guidance officer would help you that too can easily be arranged.