70 jobs axed as York training provider enters administration

York-based training provider Inspire 2 Independence (i2i) has gone into administration,

The company, which employed more than 100 staff and worked with 2,000 learners, called in administrators on 29 April.

As part of deals with new contractors, 31 members of staff have transferred to prime contractors. The remaining 69 members of staff have been made redundant.

James Lumb and Howard Smith from KPMG’s Restructuring practice were appointed as joint administrators.

They are working with contractors to transfer over current learners and help deliver training programmes.

The company had 13 learning sites across the Midlands and North of England, including sites at Grimsby, Hull, Coventry, Stoke, Wolverhampton, Blackpool and Ashton.

James Lumb, Director at KPMG and Joint Administrator, said: “The financial challenges facing the learning sector have been well documented as providers battle low margins and intense competition.

“i2i faced significant commercial pressures and so – after exploring all other options – the difficult decision was made to close the business. We are working with prime contract providers to transfer students to appropriate courses.

“Our team is on site to support the affected staff through the redundancy process and make claims to the Redundancy Payments Service.”

Clarion’s  corporate recovery and insolvency team advised i2i.