FURTHER education colleges are struggling to find enough appropriately trained staff to teach health and care courses.

A report by the education watchdog Ofsted and the Adult Learning Inspectorate revealed that courses in health, social care and public services are now short of teachers.

It means that colleges fail to meet the needs of large groups of learners.

The inspectors concluded that more collaboration needs to be achieved between colleges and schools.

Chief inspector David Bell said: "The range of provision should meet the needs of young people of all abilities and address skills needed locally and regionally.

"Action is needed to rationalise provision in many areas and more advice should be available at ages 16 plus."

The study involved an inspection of 73 general further education, tertiary and specialist colleges between September 2001 and June 2002 including colleges in the North West.

David Sherlock, chief inspector of the Adult Learning Inspectorate, said: "About 80 per cent of learners in further education colleges are adults and it offers a 'second chance'.

"But there is sometimes a lack of connection with employers and employment which means some courses do not reflect the real world of work."