Folkestone & Hythe District Council

Folkestone & Hythe District Council is the local authority for the Folkestone and Hythe area in Kent and provides a range of regulatory and licensing services that incorporate training requirements for local businesses. Through its licensing function, the council specifies safeguarding training for taxi and private hire drivers as part of the application and renewal process, focusing on recognising and responding to signs of abuse, exploitation, neglect and other safeguarding risks, and on understanding reporting responsibilities to relevant authorities. This training is delivered online and is designed to be accessible via desktop, tablet or mobile, typically including interactive materials, assessment and a certificate of completion issued once the course is passed. The council’s economic development arm, Folkestone Works, also signposts employers to apprenticeship information, local providers and support programmes, helping businesses understand how apprenticeships can be used to upskill existing staff or bring in new talent, though the training delivery itself is via external providers. Overall, the council’s role in workforce development is primarily as a regulator, commissioner and signposting body, ensuring that licensed activities meet required standards and that employers in the district can access relevant skills and apprenticeship support.