Training for the Public Sector

ESF is not usually available for training individuals who have permanent jobs in the public sector, as the Commission believe that direct training of public employees should be supported by the Member State.

However, there are some exceptions. These include:

g  training people to allow them to enter the public sector;

g  if the public sector contracts out work to private companies, the contracted company is not considered part of the public sector so training activity will be eligible;

g  support for public sector workers who have either been given or are threatened with redundancy which requires them to carry out vocational training to fit them for a new post;

g  lifelong learning for public sector workers employed in traditionally low skilled work who need career development in their current post;

g  training Jobcentre Plus staff working on modernising or providing activity which is additional to normal Jobcentre Plus activity; and

g  funding teachers for activity beyond the standard support available to help the teachers meet the needs of stated ESF client groups

g  Central Government

g  Local authorities

g  The armed forces

g  NHS Trusts

g  GP fundholders

g  Grant-maintained schools.