Privatisation of training threat to public sector workers

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PCS Comment

24 April 2012

The privatisation of generic training poses serious threats to the quality and equality of face-to-face training and could ultimately lead to warning over performance and even dismissal, argues PCS learning officer Laura Lloyd.

So the contract for all ‘generic’ face-to-face training has been given to Capita and departments can ‘buy’ their services to provide courses which they would have delivered themselves. Call me a sceptic but I hardly think it is likely to increase the amount of face-to-face learning opportunities our members will receive.

Departments have already seen their training budgets cut with the creation of Civil Service Learning (CSL) so they will ‘prioritise’ those who receive anything other than e-learning. My betting is it won’t be for the majority of our members.

The cynic in me believes all this is linked to the coalition’s agenda of cutting jobs and privatising services. Restricting training opportunities for staff will result in our members being issued warnings for performance which could ultimately result in dismissal – job’s a good ’un for the government. Ministers get rid of staff at zero cost, fewer staff and resources make the functions they carry out look ineffective so they then invite the private sector in to ‘rescue’ the work.

Tell us how you have experienced the decline in the quality and frequency of face-to-face training; email Activate editor David Tilley: davidt@pcs.org.uk

Public and Commercial Services Union