Independent Learning Account (ILA)-The Consumers Complaint List

The claim made on the website:
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"Individual Learning Accounts are a new way to help you pay for your learning. Backed by the Government, and supported by learning providers, trade unions and employers, Individual Learning Accounts offer a package of discounts that make it easier for you to get into learning.

If you are aged 19 or over you can open an Individual Learning Account. They are available to everyone and they are especially useful of you have not done a lot of learning before.

You can claim a £150 contribution if you're one of the first million account holders to book learning and contribute £25 of your own money. Or claim the 20% discount up to the value of £100 per year towards a wide range of learning. You could also choose to take advantage of the 80% off (to the value of £200 per year) what you pay towards some types of learning - for example, computer literacy or introductory maths.

To open an account and claim the discounts call 0800 072 5678 or request an application pack through this website."
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Ms Brierley's experience:

I applied for an ILA (Independent Learning Account) account (www.my-ila.com )some weeks ago to study a publishing course at Chapterhouse. They (Chapterhouse) phoned me a week or so ago to let me know that they had suddenly received notification from ILA that the funding would be curtailed, (because the million customer target had been reached) and that I should tell them as soon as I received my number, which is necessary to proceed with the application.

My application was sent in to them on the 11th of July, but there is no record of it on the computer. At no point when I applied was I told there was a cap on the funding, (I can only afford to do this course if I receive the £150.) So, I haven't received my number and with the Tuesday deadline fast approaching it doesn't look like I'm going to, so I will have to withdraw from the course.

I had extreme difficulty in getting to speak to someone at ILA's office and when I did they were rude and dismissive, saying my application must have been 'lost in the post'. They refused to accept that there might be a backlog of forms that weren't being looked at. (Apparently Chapterhouse has had several other calls from prospective students, all of whose forms have been 'lost')

I think the management of this has been shoddy from the outset; a clear case of once targets were met, any subsequent enquiries would not be bothered to be looked at.
I sent an email to the address below, which I'd got off their website. No response from it
XXXX@XXXXX(withheld by editor)
Any help much appreciated
Maggie Brierley

Editorial Comments

It would appear that the service is run by CapitaGroup. We have sent a Right of Reply email to Capita.

Please let us know of your experiences with ILA

update 25 August 2001
"I did eventually get my number through. Interestingly the card was dated
11 July (within the deadline), even though I received it in August and it was too late to qualify. I have had a call from ILA about 10 days ago (I'd sent them a complaint also) saying they'd had a few complaints and were 'looking into it' but couldn't say what the outcome would be."

18 October 2001
Thank you for your comments, Mrs Griffith. Perhaps you want to tell The List what the problem is with the Learning Providers you have mentioned below.

My boyfriend recently finished a computer maintenance and repair course which was funded by ILA. He achieved good results but was dissapointed that the course seemed to be backed by city and guilds but their badge was removed from module 7 of 9 in tota. He asked when first signing up for this course if it was indeed backed by City and Guilds and was told "yes".But as I say, later was told "no" it wasn't and that only the more advanced (and probably more expensive) one was. He found this to be misleading.
Lizzy...13 August 2001
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I, my friends , family and colleagues have been badgered from several so called learning providers Platinum Training, Birmingham
Complex training services Colmore Row Birmingham and Powertel group
Mrs Griffiths
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I filled in an application form approx 5 weeks ago. I then received another form which I filled in and returned. I have now received another letter, dated Oct 15th stating that you have not received my application form. I have tried too telephone 01273 746 748 and 0800 072 5678 but have got nowhere. I am back where I started 5 weeks ago and am getting no help.
Mrs P Cunningham...22 October 2001
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I would like to complain about New Era Training 115 The Custard Factory,Bham they claimed my funding without my consent. I enrolled with a Company and paid my contribution but could not proceed when I wanted to because my funding had been taken I now have to wait for a refund.New Era training should be struck off the register!!
Miss Bains...29 October 2001
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As a registered provider for the ILA I am totally disgusted in the way the ILA opertate we have over 1,000 displaced students and as from today 23/11/01 we have found the provider line suspended. The person or persons responsible from the ILA centre need suspending as they couldnt organise a p... up in a brewery!!I will now have to put over 15 staff on the dole!! so much for the ILA incentive!! MITS... 23 November 2001
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The Government have misled and disrupted students themselves and I believe that most Learning Providers have provided a good service. The Government have a lot to answer for. 24 November 2001 more?
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I got a letter saying the ILA was to shut down on December 7th. So today I go to book (with a good learning provider) and its already shut down
Mach.. 27 November 2001