Bradford Council announced today it had launched a full-scale action plan in its training schemes - after a major examination board suspended one of its centres.

The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authorities is investigating complaints over irregularities in about 40 national vocational qualifications awards.

The Telegraph & Argus reported exclusively in its later editions on Tuesday that the full-scale probe had been launched.

The Council is also carrying out an internal management inquiry at the centre in Metrochange House, where the students were based and staff are being interviewed.

Checks are also taking place at the Council's other training centres but no matters of concern have been found.

The investigation by the Examination Board could result in notification to students involved that their qualifications are invalid.

And today a teacher at a college not involved in the crisis warned that thousands of people across the district who had gained NVQs could be hit by the problems.

Councillor Chris Greaves (Con, Rombolds), who teaches NVQs at Bradford and Ilkley College said many students were worried that they would be "tarred with the same brush".

Coun Greaves - who stressed he was not speaking on behalf of the college - said large numbers of people had worked hard for the qualifications and they had been awarded correctly.

"But this must put doubt in the minds of employers and other people.

"It could cause enormous problems to a great many other students who have worked very hard and earned their certificates

Coun Greaves added there was "no way" any of his own students would get certificates unless they had reached the standards.

"The whole situation with the Council scheme is going to cause confusion."

Councillor Dave Green, chairman of the Council's Regeneration committee, said every individual candidate from the centre involved would be contacted and given advice on how the matter could be put right.

"This may involve re-doing some of the work needed to gain an NVQ qualification and it maybe the case that some trainees have been misled into thinking they have qualified when they have not.

"Meanwhile I can guarantee that the whole system of management and accountability of our NVQ training is subject of an action plan which will be implemented and constantly monitored and all centres to make sure there will be no repeat of these problems."

He said he viewed the situation as "extremely serious" and would ensure the public was kept fully informed.

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