This section has links to the key national bodies related to learning and skills and the voluntary sector
Awarding Bodies
City & Guilds is the biggest name in UK vocational education, with 2 million learners working towards one of our qualifications every year.
ILM offers a wide selection of flexible leadership and management qualifications and specialist member services.
UK awarding organisation, offering high quality, flexible, credit-based qualifications
Education & Skills Bodies
Represents and promotes the interests of Colleges and provides members with professional support services.
National membership organisation and is the recognised voice of independent learning providers who engage in government funded skills training and welfare to work programmes throughout England.
Membership organisation for professionals working in Further Education.
Sector-owned body that aims to accelerate the drive for excellence in the learning and skills sector
The former sector skills council for over 57,000 UK employers in lifelong learning. LLUK closed on 31st March 2011 - click here for information about the transfer of their responsibilities to other bodies.
The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education is the leading non-governmental organisation for adult learning in England and Wales.
Regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England.
Regulates and inspects organisations involved in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages.
Advises Government on the policies, strategies, and measures needed to attain World Class Skills.
Helps unions to spread the lifelong learning message to union members.
Government Departments & Agencies
Supports the Prime Minister in ensuring delivery of the Government's strategy
BIS aims to build a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed.
End to end responsibility for Apprenticeships in England.
Funds and regulates adult further education and skills training in England.
Formed in May 2010 and responsible for education and children's services.
Funds education and training for young people in England.
The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for welfare and pension policy and is a key player in tackling child poverty. It is the biggest public service delivery department in the UK and serves over 20 million customers.
Jobcentre Plus provides a wide range of information and services, like benefits, loans and grants and help with finding a job.
Voluntary Sector Bodies and Organisations
Supports, connects, develops and represents the third sector's leaders which include Chief Executives, Chairs, Trustees, Directors and Senior Managers.
Join up the way different agencies work, and bring consistency to the way children and young people are listened to and looked after.
Helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing
free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing
policymakers.
Provides information and training for the voluntary and community sector.
Crime reduction charity that provides a range of services across England and Wales: from resettlement to youth projects, education and employment
The national voice of local support and development organisations in England.
Supports voluntary organisations, social enterprises and CICs of all kinds, whether you're a large national body or a community group working at a local level.
Provides safeguarding information to organisations providing activities outside the home
The independent, national ‘voice’ for Third Sector providers of learning and skills
Encourages lifelong learning for those no longer in full time gainful employment
An independent charity and membership organisation, committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering.
The UK’s largest voluntary provider of adult education.