I would say training standards are far better in the UK today than they ever have been. The standard of instructor may vary, quite a bit in some places, but the standards of training has improved.

25 years as national instructor of one form or another. 90% of my work is on site. Construction, steel, rail, waste, ship yards, car plants, supermarkets. Training centre work is a luxury. Have trained and refreshed and tested plenty of in-house instructors who say similar to you.

Cheers

Jonah