At the HRD show last week, TrainingZONE took a few minutes to catch up with Tony Green, Employment National Training Organisation, which is heavily involved in a number of major initiatives affecting the world of work-based training and development.

When we spoke with Tony at the Harrogate show at the end of October, the review of the TDLB standards for training, HR, health and safety and trades unions (including D32, D33 and D34) was well underway, with consultation extended for another few months until the NTO was satisfied all those with an interest had been given a chance to respond. When we spoke with Tony last week, he was able to tell us that some of the standards are in the process of being signed off, including those for learning and development. Further consultation is taking place for the standards in Personnel. The aim is for all the standards to be available from 1 November this year - copies of the framework and qualifications structure were available at HRD 2001 for all areas apart from Personnel.

The second issue affects the Employment NTO as a whole - like all the National Training Organisations, it's currently subject to the government's review of the entire network. The final consultation of NTOs as to their views finishes this month, with likely changes to the set up due around this time next year. Tony says whether or not the changes take place next year will depend on whether the government (whoever they may be at the time!) choses a radical shake-up or minor changes to the network - the date is realistic for minor changes, but the feeling is that the goverment recognises it's not realistic for a major overhaul.

One final EmpNTO project which will affect many working in training and development is the creation of competencies to be used for the new qualification in work-based learning, which all trainers who deliver government-funded work-based learning will be required to undertake from September of this year. On behalf of the DfEE, the NTO is looking at establishing the new qualification standards based on the learning and development standards.

These are busy times for the Employment NTO - we'll be keeping you up-to-date on all three initiatives over the next few months.