Monday, 04 January 2010 21:10 Martin Dunford, who chairs the Association of Learning Providers (ALP), has been awarded an OBE as the Queen's New Year Honours List featured an unprecedented number of independent training providers.

Mr Dunford, who is also chief executive of Skills Training UK, a major provider of welfare-to-work programmes, was recognised for his contribution to skills training.

The Honours snubbed bankers and politicians to reflect the British public's continued disdain for them. Traditionally, City workers would feature prominently because of their role in making the UK the centre of the global economy. Instead, local heroes were pushed to the forefront, and the recognition for the publicly-funded employment and skills sector is seen as a major breakthrough.

Graham Hoyle OBE, ALP’s chief executive, said: "It is greatly encouraging that independent providers are at last receiving the recognition that they deserve for the contribution which they are making to the Government’s employment and skills programmes.

"The flexibility in independent provider delivery is showing its full value as we work with other partners to alleviate the worst effects of this recession."

Other ALP members recognised in the independent sector were: 

• Eileen Cavalier OBE, founder and chief executive of the London College of Beauty Therapy.
• Janette Faherty OBE, chief executive of Avanta Enterprise.
• Emma Harrison CBE, founder and chairman of A4e.