What is "learndirect"

learndirect is private company owned by the private equity firm Lloyds Development Capital (LDC). learndirect was formerly owned by the Ufi Charitable Trust, a not-for-profit organisation which sold learndirect and its parent Ufi Limited to LDC in 2011. Ufi was created in 1998 to take forward HM Government's stated vision of a University for Industry in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and launched learndirect in 2000. learndirect Scotland was the public-facing brand of the Scottish University for Industry (SUfI), but has since become part of Skills Development Scotland as "My World of Work". learndirect still operates in Scotland, and has offices in Glasgow.

Learndirect has a network of learning centres in England and Wales, and also run some courses online. Since the establishment of learndirect, more than 3.5 million learners have enrolled in courses. In 2004, an average of 65% of students completed their courses but this figure had improved to 92% by 2009. Learndirect participates as a "provider" in the UK government's mandatory unpaid work experience programme (commonly known as workfare, described by learndirect and DWP as " Mandatory Work Activity") for those on Jobseeker's Allowance.