CHAPTER 24:

In 2017 we made the major decision to relinquish our ESFA contract because it had become so onerous with all the rules & regulations that were put in place. In fact, because we were over the value of our contract we lost a huge sum of money due to completing apprentices on time rather than delaying their progress into the following ESFA financial year! So much of the demands of the contract were non-hair related & it became clear that without an HR, legal & huge administrative department, plus English & Maths teachers we would never meet the ever- changing criteria.

It was also at this time that the industry lost a lovely person & good friend, Herbert of Liverpool.

Prior to giving up our ESFA contract we met & spoke with other contract holders & eventually joined the Central Training Group who then became our funding partners. They were much more switched-on with regard to all the “small print” that has to be adhered to & they liked our industry profile & connections to many of the organisations that promote creative education. They used Edward for their end of year graduation show giving them some gravitas. Joining CTG was to prove particularly important for both parties during the Pandemic (but that has its own chapter!).