Introduction 04 Economic and political context 04

partnerships 
with employers
Strong links to 
local and 
regional 
communities
Innovative 
approaches to 
curriculum 
design and 
delivery
Up-to-date 
training facilities
Learner centered 
support services 
Strong and 
autonomous 
governance, 
leadership and 
management
12
13
British Council
UK TVET Systems: an introduction

---

Other College providers
• Sixth form colleges cater primarily for the 16-19 age 
group and offer a diverse range of mainly classroom 
based courses in academic and TVET programmes . 
Around two-thirds of sixth form college learners 
progress to higher education.
• Land-based colleges provide education and training 
in areas relating to animals, plants, farming, and the 
environment. 
• Art, design and performing arts colleges offer 
specialist courses for the creative sectors. 
• Independent Specialist Colleges (ISCs) offer specialist 
support to young people with learning difficulties,
and/or disabilities.
Independent Training Providers (ITPs)
• Can be both for profit or not for profit, including 
working in the voluntary sector. 
• Deliver government funded training especially to 
provide ‘off-the-job’ training; including for apprentices.
• Also deliver non-government funded training, 
including non-accredited bespoke training.
• Tend to be smaller than FE colleges so may deliver 
more niche or technically specialist provision. FE 
colleges will often sub-contract ITP’s and work in 
partnership with them. 
• Larger ITPs will provide training opportunities across 
the country in a range of vocational training areas. 
• Partner with employers who want to access external 
expertise to help them manage their training. This 
includes organising ‘on the job’ training provided by 
the employer in the workplace.