The system has been in operational use for the last six months and provides a secure, confidential and straightforward way for adult learners to set up and access their accounts. It enables SAAS to register and process applications from students for the new ILA service, and manage securely the automatic transfer of funds to providers. It also allows learning centres, such as further education colleges or online course providers, to register details and take course bookings online through SAAS’s partner, Learndirect Scotland.
The system uses the electronic document management (EDM) and call centre facilities that BT has already developed for the agency. BT is currently working with SAAS and Learndirect Scotland to complete the final phase of the ILA system, which will provide the planned increase for those Scottish adult learners eligible for funding under the ILA scheme.
The agency was given responsibility for the administration of ILAs by the Scottish Executive as a direct result of the dramatic improvements in efficiency, productivity and customer service generated by its work with BT. The IT systems put in place by BT, including EDM, have enabled the agency to free up resources to take on new business. BT has been the IT partner of SAAS since 1994.
Jeremy Stafford, managing director, BT government, said: “ILAs will have a significant role in continuing education and training in Scotland; we are proud to be able to contribute to their success. Our relationship with SAAS has always been about working in close partnership, and together we have an opportunity to play a significant role in developing an exciting future for education in Scotland.”
ILAs are a key part of the Scottish Executive’s lifelong learning strategy for Scotland. Adults qualifying for the scheme are entitled to up to £200 a year towards the costs of study opportunities at a wide variety of learning centres and providers.
About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions serving customers in Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific. Its principal activities include networked IT services, local, national and international telecommunications services, and higher-value broadband and internet products and services.
BT consists principally of three lines of business:
BT Retail, providing a comprehensive range of communications and related Services to more than 20m UK consumers and businesses.
BT Wholesale, providing network services and solutions within the UK to more than 600 fixed and mobile operators and service providers including the provision of broadband and private circuits.
BT Global Services, providing networked IT services to meet the needs of multi-site organisations globally. BT Global Services operates in more than 130 countries and also offers international carrier services.
In the year ended 31 March 2005, BT Group’s turnover was £18,623 million with profit before goodwill amortisation, exceptional items and taxation of £2,085 million.
BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.
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