19.There are 72 TECs in England and 4 in Wales and they are all private companies, usually limited by guarantee. Some have merged with Chambers of Commerce to form Chambers of Commerce, Training and Enterprise (CCTEs). They are funded by Government, primarily under powers contained in section 2(2) of the Employment and Training Act 1973, to provide training programmes and to give support and advice to local businesses. They operate on a licence agreement with the Government and are supported by annual funding contracts. The Government contracts with TECs to deliver a wider range of programmes and activities including those with funding from the Single Regeneration Budget. In addition, TECs can bid for and receive funding from other sources including the European Social Fund and can generate money by selling services to business. The Government issued contractual notices to TECs in England in July 1999 informing them that their licences will expire on 25 March 2001. No organisation will be able to trade as a TEC from that date.
Background Training and Enterprise Councils