PRAISE has been given to the county’s adult learning provision.

The standard of Hampshire County Council’s programmes for adult education, traineeships and apprenticeships has been graded as ‘good’ by Ofsted following a full inspection in February.

The report highlights how significant improvements in the management of these programmes have been made since the last inspection in 2016.

Councillor Keith Mans, the county council’s executive lead member for children’s services, said: “This is excellent news for anyone moving on to further education and training after leaving school and is in line with the high performance that we see across many areas of county council services.

“We are committed to driving career opportunities and widening training and employment choices and prospects, and will continue to do so - to help people develop the skills they need to help them enjoy successful, lifelong employment.”

The county council’s adult education programme teaches over 10,000 people a year across Hampshire, offering courses for people who are unemployed, low skilled or just looking to participate in classes to develop new skills or pursue a hobby.

Ofsted’s feedback was that the adult education and training provision met local needs well, and is supporting community cohesion and wellbeing.

Traineeships, a pre-apprenticeship programme developed by the county council, and apprenticeships were also highlighted as strengths.

The county council’s curriculum provision is managed and delivered by its Hampshire Futures service, which offers support services and programmes to help young people and adults to access employment, education and training, in order to develop new skills and to pursue successful careers.