Examinations in some subjects have been suspended in Keighley training sessions after problems were found with NVQ qualifications.

Now the Council's internal auditors and the Government's Qualifications and Curriculum authority are carrying out an investigation at Keighley Training Group.

The group is continuing assessments in child care and business administration but cannot award qualifications under two major examination boards while a full-scale inquiry into procedures is carried out.

Problems with the NVQ certificate procedure have arisen in a number of the district's training schemes. They came to light initially at the Metrochange House training scheme.

Tonight's meeting of the Council's training sub-committee will be told the difficulties have spread to the Keighley Training Group.

The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the CACHE child care examination board have suspended examinations there.

Meanwhile, the centre has told 73 people their qualifications are invalid. A further 80 trainees will have to do extra work.

The Government qualifications authority is now investigating Metrochange House, Bradford ITeC Centre, Mitre Court and the Keighley Training Group.

The Council's internal auditors are investigating problems believed to go back to 1996.

Students from Metrochange House have told the T&A of a backlog of marking, said to go back a year in some instances.

Officer Mick Binns will tell tonight's sub-committee that new systems are being implemented and people with invalid qualifications are being helped to achieve the awards

Leader of the Council's Tory Group, Councillor Margaret Eaton said: "I am very disturbed to hear that the Keighley Group is also involved now.

"These are grave irregularities affecting many people and bring into question the Council's ability to carry out training."

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