A former apprenticeship training provider that was judged ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted last year now faces a £200,000 clawback after an investigation into its funding claims. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) began looking into the London Academy for Applied Technology (LAAT), which used to train chef and hospitality apprentices, in July 2024 over data accuracy and apprenticeship funding claims. Officials found some apprentices’ employment statuses “could not be evidenced” between 2022-23 and 2023-24. They are now taking steps to recover “an overpayment” of £198,920 from the company. A report, published today, found non-compliant off-the-job training records as well as claims for functional skills courses that learners had already achieved. The report added that LAAT has since “reviewed and implemented changes” to its procedures. LAAT received an ‘inadequate’ overall Ofsted grade for its apprenticeship delivery in March 2025. It is no longer on the apprenticeship provider and assessment register, suggesting its contract was terminated. Apprentices ‘studying at wrong levels’ At the time of its inspection, Ofsted flagged concerns about apprentices waiting too long for final assessments and studying at the wrong levels, but LAAT hit back with allegations of racial “bias” because the inspection was held during Ramadan. Ofsted rejected the accusations of discrimination. A spokesperson for LAAT said it worked constructively with the Department for Education (DfE) to provide “substantial” documentation during the investigation, which the department has “acknowledged”. But, they added, further employment verification and supporting evidence requested “went beyond what we had understood from the published funding rules”. “As a relatively new provider, this has been an important learning experience, and we welcome the findings as an opportunity to further strengthen our processes and practices.” The spokesperson told FE Week its governance and leadership are now “fully independent” and it is committed to a “robust” internal and external audit programme. LAAT also “remains fully committed” to reaching a repayment arrangement with the DfE, they added. “Our commitment to education, quality and continuous improvement remains unchanged. The experience has reinforced the importance of learning, adapting and continually strengthening our approach across all areas of provision.” ‘Exited the market’ DfE apprenticeship data shows the business, based in Tower Hamlets in east London, had 40 starts in the 2022-23 academic year and 110 in 2023-24, with achievements recorded as “low”. It trained apprentices in standards including level 2 commis chef, level 2 production chef, and level 3 chef de partie. DfE figures show the company accessed £379,011 in apprenticeship funding in 2024-25, mostly from non-levy-paying employers. LAAT’s website said it currently supports “more than 2,000” learners in campuses in London and the Midlands. The company, launched by Jatin Tekriwal in 2019, began delivering apprenticeships in 2022 but appears to have now exited the market. It currently advertises higher education courses in business, hospitality and tourism, and a post-graduate MBA top-up in partnership with Plymouth Marjon University. Office for Students data, last updated on November 5, shows the company had 360 students in 2024-25. Most of the students were on undergraduate programmes, with tuition fees ranging from £5,760 to £9,535 per year. It also offers self-funded level 3 to 5 diplomas in subjects such as business management.