About Us

The information authority was established as an independent body in October 2006 to set and regulate data and collection standards for all organisations involved in further education and training.

We have a decision making board headed by an independent chair and made up of senior representatives from across the education and training sector. This is supported a small operational secretariat.

We will eventually work with an independent data service that will collect, handle and disseminate information across further education and training. A pilot to test the concept of this service is now being established.

The information authority, working in tandem with a fully established data service, will improve the quality and use of data; reduce bureaucracy and increase accountability to users and sponsors.

Our creation supports recommendations contained in the FE White Paper (links to PDF); the Learning and Skills Council's agenda for change programme of reforms; and the Foster Report (links to PDF).

The Board

The board makes far reaching decisions to reform data and information standards and processes. Find out more here.

The Secretariat

The secretariat of the authority prepares information for the board and ensures that decisions of board members are acted upon. Find out more here.