An education provider has had its £3m contract to provide work-based learning in Essex terminated.

Affected - trainee hairdressers Lauren Bryson and Debbie Leigh-Fearn, of Hair at Number 10 salon, Manningtree, have been hit by the closure of the Endaim centre in Bank Passage, Colchester. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN

More than 100 people who had been studying at the Endaim centre, in Bank Passage, Colchester, were notified this week it was being closed with immediate effect.

The Learning and Skills Council, Essex (LSC), which is in charge of and funds education for people aged 16 plus in the county, confirmed it has ended its contract with Endaim.

The education provider was half-way through its £3m contract with LSC to provide training for 700 learners in Essex between 2003 and 2005.

Endaim, which also has centres in Chelmsford, Benfleet, Basildon and Harlow, was the LSC Essex's biggest single contractor outside further education colleges.

It has had an 18-year old track record of providing learning in areas such as hairdressing and beauty, business administration and retail.

Lauren Bryson, 17, and Debbie Leigh-Fearn, 16, who are trainee hairdressers at Hair at Number 10 salon, in Station Road, Manningtree, were two of the students affected.

Their boss, Stan Ellmore, said he had been more than happy with the training given at the academy and the girls had been told the closure was due to "health and safety reasons".

A spokeswoman for the LSC said: "Endaim were unable to satisfy the LSC that they had adequate systems in place in order for them to fulfil the terms of their contract to provide work-based learning."

Endaim referred all inquiries to the LSC.

Learners and parents can get further infomation by contacting 01245 550027 and employers on 01245 550028 or visit www.lsc.gov.uk/esse

Published Thursday August 12, 2004

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