Member Article

Pearson to exit apprenticeships business

Pearson is set to exit its UK adult training business that it acquired just three years ago.

The firm said the disposal was in response to a “radically changing trading environment” and a consultation with Pearson in Practice staff would now take place.

Changes to the way apprenticeship programmes are structured and the way funding is delivered mean Pearson’s business is no longer a sustainable model.

Pearson paid almost £95m for Melorio plc in 2010, the business from which Pearson in Practice formed.

John Fallon, Pearson’s chief executive, said: “Pearson in Practice has provided quality training programmes to thousands of young people who have a real need for skills that help them secure a job.

“We very much regret the decision to plan for closure, but we believe we have explored and exhausted all alternatives. Our focus in the coming months will be on working with our partners in the further education sector and industry to ensure minimum disruption to learners who are currently enrolled in one of our programmes.

“We continue to believe that preparation for the workplace is a hugely important part of education provision in the UK, and we are committed to providing those services from other parts of Pearson.”

Some Pearson in Practice assets are expected to be transferred to FE Colleges and other providers.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .