There are lots of Government funded courses out there, at no cost to the employee or the employer. I have a customer who is in retail (works for Next), late 40's and is doing a distance management course. The company that assess her go to her workplace each month to do the tests. How much do you think the assessment companies are getting from the Government for each student or for the day?? When i was in sales, i was sent on many different courses, all paid for by the employer back then, The cost in the early 2000's was £450 per day per person. Right or wrong, if the Government are going to chuck some money at companies to provide training, then why shouldn't they take it? I know i would!!
Regarding the level of information and training on the Impact 43 courses, i can't comment as i have not been on one, but if it is true that they are advising window cleaners to cordon off a large area on a domestic property to be able to clean safely, then it is H&S gone a little mad IMO!!