A new body to promote quality and best practice in training has been lauched this week.

The British Learning Association (BLA) has been formed by the merger of the British Association for Open Learning and The Forum for Technology in Training.

The union ends the cross-over between the two bodies and, it is hoped, will increase the BLA's clout within the sector and with government.

Dr Ann Limb chief executive of Ufi/Learndirect officially launched the BLA at the World of Learning Conference and Exhibition in Birmingham this week.

In the short term, the association will be promoted as incorporating the British Association for Open Learning and the Forum for Technology in Training to retain the identities that are familiar to the industry.

The BLA says its aim is 'to become a centre of excellence for the advancement of learning'.