Information kindly supplied by the NTO National Council:

In a letter to NTOs issued just before Christmas, Malcolm Wicks, Lifelong Learning Minister, announced that the NTO re-recognition process outlined in 2000 has been suspended.

Recognition of all existing National Training Organisations is automatically extended until at least 31 March 2002 pending the government consultation and review of the NTO network.

NTOs previously due for re-recognition before 31 March 2001, who will have put considerable work into the process of gathering evidence for re-recognition, are invited on a voluntary basis to present their evidence to the NTO Advisory Group and receive informal feedback and advice. DfEE will be writing to NTOs whose scheduled re-recognition fell before March 2001 with further details.