Minister John Hayes launched two skills consultations in July - Skills for Sustainable Growth and A Simplified Further Education and Skills Funding System and Methodology.

Fair Train is the Group Training Association for third sector apprenticeships that has been set up to help to address these barriers. It will help charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations secure government funding to train apprentices.

IFF research, on behalf of the Learning and Skills Council, uses five years of LSC data to show the value and achievements of third sector providers of learning and skills, and clearly evidences the case that the third sector is contributing and adding value to learners in both their learner achievements and their ability to get employment.

The Compact is the longstanding agreement that sets out shared commitments and guidelines for effective partnership working between government and the third sector in England.