Guide To Supporting Smaller Employers With Apprenticeships

Over 140 businesses shortlisted in the British Business Awards

New research from City & Guilds' Neurodiversity Index 2025 highlights a concerning gap in workplace support for neurodivergent employees. Nearly one in three are dissatisfied with the accommodations provided, and over a third receive no onboarding support. As part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we explore key findings from the Index, the challenges neurodivergent employees face, and actionable steps employers can take to create more inclusive workplaces.

The Apprenticeship Levy is being replaced by a new Growth and Skills Levy, aiming to increase flexibility for employers on how they can spend their contributions. But what changes will be coming into effect and how can we prepare for them?

With a lifelong dream of becoming a lorry driver and having recently passed her Urban Driver apprenticeship, Nikki has successfully pursued her dream career! And to top it off, she has become the first female gritter driver in the Bradford District! Find out how she did it...

National Apprenticeship Week kicks off on Monday 10th February and to mark the occasion, we want to share ways in which employers can make the most of it!

Learning Curve Group is delighted to be able to support Bernicia Group tenants and the wider community in improving their employability skills and helping individuals find employment or progress in their current careers.

Brenda McLeish OBE DL, CEO of Learning Curve Group, has been appointed as a trustee on the Education and Training Foundation (EFT board) alongside Anthony Carey, Shazia Ejaz and Mark Malcomson CBE.

On Friday night, we hosted our 10th annual charity ball - a Purple Party! It really was a night to remember as we raised over £13,000 for the LCG Charity Foundation!

HRH the Duke of Edinburgh visited the Learning Curve Group Headquarters in County Durham this morning to mark the Group’s 20th anniversary and officially open their Headquarters at DurhamGate.

Established in 2004, Learning Curve Group has grown to become one of the largest and most diverse independent training providers in the country. Learning Curve Group provides education and training for more than 200,000 individuals a year, working with over 4,500 employers to develop and retain talent in their workforces. Hugely expanding their workforce count and offering along the way, Learning Curve Group was last year named Education Provider of the Year and landed on the Sunday Times Best Places to Work list.

Today is GCSE results day. Whether you got the grades you were hoping for or not, we've outlined some of the different options for your next steps. We appreciate that not everybody loves classroom learning, that's why we deliver education and training in a practical environment where you can thrive.

With the new Competence and Conduct Standard for social housing looming on the horizon, it’s important that employers are proactive in preparing for the changes. Luckily, Learning Curve Group are here to support you in meeting the required standards as the mandatory bill comes into effect.

As thousands of students across the UK open their results today, we wish them the very best of luck. If you're not sure where you're headed next, we've outlined your options to help you find a pathway that suits you!

In the 27th UK CEO survey, conducted by PwC, it was revealed that employers are increasingly looking for one thing: tech-savvy talent. Here, we outline the most in-demand tech skills in the UK and how you can learn them.

A longstanding challenge in the training landscape has been the lack of a clear overarching strategy that strikes the right balance between national and local skills demands.

Earlier this year, the Buckland Review of Autism Employment was published, highlighting the need for more support for autistic people in employment. In our blog, we’ve outlined just a few simple steps that you can take to increase support for autistic people in your workplace.

In February, the admissions service revealed that apprenticeships will finally qualify for UCAS Tariff points from September onwards. What does this mean for employers?

Summer is the perfect time to invest in yourself and thrive! One way you can do this is by improving your career prospects through learning new skills.

Today marks the start of Armed Forces Week 2024. And with flags being raised all over the country to mark this, we would like to say a special thank you to all those who have served or are serving in the UK Armed Forces.

New partnership brings powerful online learning platform to Access to HE providers

Learning Curve Group, international provider of funded training and education for adults, have recently announced our support of prison education reformation by reinforcing our provision for education within prisons.

Keeping your skills up to date is essential for career advancement and success. That's why it's so important that you make sure your learning doesn't end when you leave school, college or university - you need to be continuously learning to remain competitive!

Read our top tips on how to make the most out of your revision time to smash your exams!

80% of people experiencing menopausal symptoms are in employment, and they make up the fastest-growing workplace demographic. Is your workplace doing its part to support them?

Learn about the new funding rules that accompany the Adult Skills Fund as it replaces the Adult Education Budget

This week we've been celebrating Autism Acceptance Week. Established by the National Autistic Society, this week is an opportunity to do more than simply raise awareness around autism: it is a chance to change attitudes and break down misconceptions so autistic people can be their authentic selves no matter the environment they find themselves in.

And how to overcome them

Learning Curve Group have partnered with Gough and Kelly to offer free Security training to women in Leeds with the aim of challenging stereotypes in the sector

Children from Monkwearmouth Secondary School in Sunderland visit Learning Curve Group for the day, with My Big Career, to learn about potential pathways and opportunities for when they leave school.

We've witnessed a surge in enrolments onto men's mental health courses amid rising concerns and alarming statistics. Equip your college with the learning resources you need to meet this growing demand.

On Tuesday, we were delighted to attend the Tees Valley Women’s Centre, located in Southbank, Middlesbrough, to celebrate the achievements of local women who recently graduated their craft course with us!

Learning Curve Group, a national training and education provider, have adopted an innovative new platform, designed to forge perfect business partnerships.

Creating a supportive environment for neurodivergent employees can be a challenge, but with the right strategies, it can be very beneficial for your business.

Following new guidance from The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), workplaces are being warned that they could face legal action if they fail to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for their employees.

A message from our CEO, Brenda McLeish OBE DL, as we celebrate our 20th birthday!

It’s You Can Care Week! A lot of people don’t know this, but you can transition into the care sector at any stage of your career. And at Learning Curve Group, we’re dedicated to making your pathway into the care industry as easy and smooth as possible.

This National Apprenticeship Week, we celebrated the graduation of our internal apprentice cohort who have all recently passed their courses.

We're delighted to announce that our Commercial Director, Steve Morris, has been appointed Employment Advisory Board Chair for HMP Moorland. We can't wait to see Steve transform even more lives through learning in his new role.

Today marks the start of National Apprenticeship Week 2024, an event to celebrate all things apprenticeships, from apprentice achievements, to inspiring employers to partnerships across the sector.

Learning Curve Group (LCG), a UK-based leading education and training provider, is thrilled to announce its most recent success in the international market with the acquisition of a significant contract in Botswana.

So you want to be a nanny? We’ve partnered with Army of Nannies; a nanny-finding platform which works with thousands of nannies across the UK at all experience levels.

National training provider, Learning Curve Group, headquartered in County Durham, make a significant donation to local foodbanks this Christmas. With a total of over 500 items donated, the Learning Curve Group family joined forces to support those in need during the festive period.

Leading education and training provider, Learning Curve Group, headquartered in County Durham, have doubled their donation to If U Care Share following the success of a campaign over the month of November to raise awareness of men’s mental health problems.

Learning Curve Group (LCG), a leading training provider headquartered in County Durham, raise over £10,000 in support of the LCG Charity Foundation at their 9th annual charity ball on Friday night.

In an increasingly diverse workplace, the importance of protecting employees can’t be ignored. The first step to success is recognising and respecting their identities.

The number of men experiencing suicidal thoughts has reached an all time high, and Teesside is grappling with one of the highest suicide rates in the UK. Globally, on average, a man dies by suicide every 60 seconds.

Today, Welsh Secretary, David TC Davies, has visited the MPCT Newport Academy to gain an insight into the alternative educational opportunities for adults and young people in Wales.

Unlock your potential with Learning Curve Group.

A partnership has been forged between Learning Curve Group (LCG) and LearnBox which will help tackle a major issue faced by the further education sector and the wider economy for the teaching and uptake of functional skills.

Steve Downie, a man from Chorley who has made a full recovery from alcohol-dependency, has supported Learning Curve Group (LCG) to develop a Level 2 online course on addiction recovery which launched last week.

In an exciting move towards a more inclusive and equal world, we are delighted to announce the adoption of The Halo Code, the UK's first Black hair code. This decision highlights our commitment to eradicating discrimination and embracing the diverse identities of our employees.

Eight women from Tees Valley Women's Centre (TVWC), a community hub dedicated to empowering vulnerable women, celebrated graduating from their Access to Higher Education course delivered at the centre. All eight women have secured a place at Teesside University as a result of their training.

For far too long, the impact of menopause on individuals and on businesses has been ignored due to a lack of knowledge. Momentum is now growing to put this right.

National training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), are delighted to have taken home the Education Provider of the Year award at the EducationInvestor Awards last night.

Workplace inclusivity is important for all industries, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion is a priority for many organisations. Many LGBTQIA+ people feel too uncomfortable to come out in the workplace for fear of harassment or discrimination, impacting both their mental health and their ability to thrive in their jobs. Even small adjustments can have a huge impact on LGBTQIA+ employees and can empower them to reach their full potential, and feel safe and accepted.

An increase in investment in education and skills training could lead to a £206 million net present value for the UK economy, a recent socio-economic impact report finds.

Learning Curve Group (LCG), the UK’s leading education and training provider, have been recognised as one of the best places to work by The Sunday Times in its renewed ranking of the UK’s top employers. Landing on the list, this prestigious accolade highlights Learning Curve Group's commitment to fostering a positive and engaging workplace culture.

Complementing the growth of Learning Curve Group’s existing Ed-Tech solutions, CareersPro is designed to provide individuals, young or old, with the tools and resources to make informed choices about their education and career paths. This platform harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to deliver personalised recommendations, guidance, and costings that are tailored to each individual’s unique skills, interests and aspirations.

National education and training provider, Learning Curve Group, are delighted to have taken home two awards last week at the Educate North Awards 2023. LCG were honoured with the ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ Award, whilst their CEO, Brenda McLeish OBE DL, was awarded the ‘UK Education Leadership’ Award.

In light of Jeremey Hunt’s recent ‘returnership’ initiative, outlined in the Spring Budget which was announced mid-March, we want to showcase the incredible benefits apprenticeships hold for everybody, not just the younger generation.

We often hear of employers' frustrations with the 20% off-the-job requirement, but there are different ways that off-the-job can work for your business to make apprenticeship programmes successful.

In a time of economic uncertainty, it is essential that employment levels remain at a high. Filling the skills gaps in society is crucial to ensuring a content and thriving economy, as its landscape approaches a period of hardship and decline. Education and skills training are invaluable in upskilling current and future workforces and creating talent pipelines that will benefit both individuals and businesses.

The London Hairdressing Apprenticeship Academy Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Learning Curve Group, achieved a ‘Good’ rating in our latest Ofsted inspection of Apprenticeship and online learning provision. LCG’s state-of-the-art hair and beauty academies in London provide dynamic and innovative vocational training which specialises in high quality training through a diverse range of online adult learning programmes and apprenticeships.

Toby Perkins MP visited local education provider, White Rose Beauty College, which is part of Learning Curve Group, in his Chesterfield constituency to gain an insight into alternative educational opportunities for adults and young people. Toby has a vested interest in the educational opportunities for people within Chesterfield, and across the UK, in part due to his position as Shadow Minister for Education.

Learning Curve Group (LCG) is today named as the 14th best company to work for in the UK, as Best Companies reveal their Top 100 list awarding them a 3-star, world-class accreditation. The ranking also sees LCG named the 2nd best Education and Training organisation in the UK to work for, the 2nd best organisation in the North East to work for, 2nd in Wales and 16th Large Company in London.

National training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), are expanding their successful Hair and Beauty training academies in the London region with two brand-new, state-of-the-art salons opening this February.

National training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), make huge donations of over 500 items to food banks across the country this Christmas.

Brenda McLeish OBE DL, CEO of national training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), was presented the Societal Impact award at the National EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards last week. The award recognises an individual’s outstanding contribution to society through positive impact based on their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth, and impact.

A new programme which will provide over 150 residents with the relevant skills, experience and interviews they need to gain employment started in October. The Skillup for Employment programme, delivered by One Housing and Learning Curve Group, bridges the gap between residents who are unemployed and job vacancies with local businesses.

National Training Provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), are delighted to have won the Best Purpose Driven People Community award at the 2022 Investors in People (IIP) Awards. The awards aim to showcase and share recognition of the very best employers and individuals who strive to make work better.

Chief Executive Officer of Learning Curve Group, Brenda McLeish OBE, was presented with her OBE for her services to further education after being named as a recipient in the New Year Honours in 2022. She also bagged the Businesswoman of the Year Award at the 2022 Education Investor awards which were on the same evening.

Finalists of The Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards 2022 gathered in anticipation on Friday night as the winners for individual categories were announced. One of the UK’s largest training providers, Learning Curve Group (LCG), were delighted to bring home the Learning Provider of the Year award for the second year in a row. The awards aim to showcase the range of talent and hard work within multicultural communities across the UK and the contribution and support of employers and learning providers for making this possible.

LCG’s annual ball is their biggest fundraiser of the year for the LCG Charity Foundation, in partnership with County Durham Community Foundation and saw Matt Bailey, BBC Newcastle’s new Breakfast Show host, take to the stage to take guests to the movies. LCG set up their Charity Foundation in 2019 and is built on 3 main pillars: increasing skills, decreasing unemployment, and alleviating poverty. Since the foundation began the training provider, headquartered in Durham, has raised over £80,000 to support organisations and individuals across the country.

Cloud workforce development training programme brings opportunity to local communities and builds diverse talent pipeline

National Training Provider, Learning Curve Group, are preparing for their annual Charity Ball, A Night in Hollywood, sponsored by NCFE and Scholars School System. The event will take place on Friday 28th October at Hardwick Hall Hotel in County Durham.

National training provider, Learning Curve Group, launch a brand new qualification on the understanding of menopause to educate people on how women are impacted and how this effects their careers. LCG’s new qualification is a level 2 in Understanding Menopause in the Workplace and is the first ever accredited qualification on the topic in the UK.

National Training Provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), host their annual Staff Conference with over 1,000 ‘Purple People’ at Old Trafford Football Stadium in Manchester. LCG’s dedicated employees travelled across the country to the Manchester United Football Stadium to come together for a day of training and development whilst celebrating their recent Outstanding Ofsted inspection of their Antrec Training contract.

Learning Curve Group (LCG) subsidiary, Antrec Training, rated OUTSTANDING overall by Ofsted in most recent inspection. Ofsted graded the provision “outstanding” and commented that “Learners clearly benefit, both personally and professionally, from the diverse range of high quality courses available to them.” Learning Curve Group develops training programmes in areas which respond to national skills needs.

Brenda McLeish OBE DL, Chief Executive Officer of Learning Curve Group (LCG), has been named EY Entrepreneur of the Year for the North after a record-breaking year for the training provider.

National training provider, MPCT, military training academies owned by Learning Curve Group, open a two new academies in Chorley and Newcastle to give young people across the region access to free, high quality military training to prepare them for a career in the armed forces.

National training provider Learning Curve Group (LCG) is delighted to announce the acquisition of Yorkshire-based White Rose Beauty Colleges (White Rose), one of the largest beauty therapy training providers in the UK, in a move which will complement its existing academy provision. 

Motivational Preparation College for Training, a wholly owned subsidiary of National training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), OUTSTANDING in 2 areas and GOOD overall by Ofsted in a recent inspection.

Motivational Preparation College for Training (MPCT), a wholly owned subsidiary of national training provider Learning Curve Group (LCG), achieve the Platinum level for the second time in Investors in People Survey, a report to measure employee engagement and wellbeing.

Brenda McLeish OBE DL wins Entrepreneur of the Year at the North East England Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. This accolade for the CEO of Learning Curve Group (LCG) comes just 6 months after being awarded an OBE for her contribution to education in the Queen’s New Years Honours list and 2 months after becoming a Deputy Lieutenant for County Durham.

Profound Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of National training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), rated OUTSTANDING in 2 areas and GOOD overall by Ofsted in a recent inspection.

Learners and staff at Learning Curve Group’s Pre Uniformed Services Academy in Wakefield took part in a charity skydive to raise money to support Ukrainian refugees and members of their local community.

National training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), are bringing their successful Hair and Beauty training academies to Newcastle with a brand new salon opening in May. LCG already have seven Hair and Beauty academies across the North East and London that support hundreds of learners every year to achieve qualifications to succeed as the stylists, barbers and beauty therapists of the future. In 2021 the academies were awarded Hair and Beauty Apprenticeship Provider of the Year at AAC Awards.

Brenda McLeish OBE, CEO of Learning Curve Group (LCG), is appointed Deputy Lieutenant of County Durham for her dedication and contribution to education and skills in the region. As CEO of one of the country's largest training providers, headquartered in County Durham, Brenda creates opportunities for over 200,000 individuals a year to advance their skills and build a career. Brenda was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for her contribution to education and she has now been recognised further with her appointment of Deputy Lieutenant. Deputy lieutenants are nominated by a lord lieutenant, to assist with any duties as may be required, deputy lieutenants receive their commission of appointment via the appropriate government minister by command of the Queen.

If you've always dreamed of a career where you need to go to University for a degree but don’t have  A-Levels in the right subjects, then there are options! You don't necessarily need to go back to college, there are now flexible ways to study, giving you the UCAS points you need to study at university for a career you'll love. Designed to prepare you for life at university, Access to Higher Education Diplomas prepare you with the knowledge and skills needed to not only study your degree, but also acclimatize to student life.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues, we're aware of the responsibility we have as a large business to do what we can to make an impact and support the people of Ukraine who are going through this terrible time. Our Purple People across LCG and MPCT - Motivational Preparation College for Training - have donated supplies to support the people of Ukraine and we’ve been overwhelmed by their generosity. MPCT CEO, Huw Lewis MBE, and Logistics Manager, Allan Peet, drove to the border of Ukraine on the 1st of April to deliver the huge amount of supplies donated by our dedicated staff.

National training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), are delighted to announce that their annual charity ball, A Night in Hollywood, will take place on the 28th October 2022. LCG’s annual ball is their biggest fundraiser of the year for the LCG Charity Foundation in partnership with County Durham Community Foundation.

National training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), have joined forces with recruitment and leadership development organisation, Breakthrough, who work with hard-to-reach individuals to support them into employment. The partnership will provide extensive, expert training to ex-offenders and match them with innovative employers, enabling businesses to diversify their workforce and tap into unique, inspiring talent through fully-supported apprenticeships.

Award winning training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), have joined forces with Anxious Minds, a multi-award winning mental health charity dedicated to supporting the people of the region improve their mental health. With centres across Tyneside and Northumberland, they will be partnering to support the education and training of counsellors across the region.

At Learning Curve Group (LCG) we are incredibly proud to be a business that champions diversity, inclusion and putting our Purple People first. On International Women’s Day we would like to celebrate our incredible female leaders that have helped make LCG one of the largest training providers in the country, one of the top 50 organisations to work for in the UK and inspire other women across the business to achieve amazing things. Learning Curve Group is led by CEO Brenda McLeish OBE, who has taken the business from an employee count of just 40 full-time employees to in excess of 700 and has increased turnover from £1 million to over £40 million. Brenda is not afraid to use her voice, she is an agent of change and is passionate about making a difference, which makes her a brilliant role model for others within the industry.

National Training Provider Learning Curve Group (LCG), are delighted to announce their 37th rank in the Best Companies Top 100 list and 2 star accreditation. LCG also earned their rank positions as the 4th best Education and Training organisation to work for in the UK and the 8th best organisation in the North East, from the survey results from their employees. The training provider has also recently retained their Gold Investors in People status.

Learning Curve Group welcomes Alex Burghart MP, the Department for Education’s Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills to their Head Office on Friday 11th February as part of their National Apprenticeship Week Celebrations. They discussed the current further education landscape, how Independent Training Providers are essential in tackling long-term skills challenges and their contribution to the development of apprenticeships.

National training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), celebrated the graduation of their Purple People Academy on the first day of National Apprenticeship Week. LCG invited their apprenticeship graduates to Hardwick Hall Hotel for a special afternoon tea and graduation ceremony with CEO, Brenda McLeish OBE.

With over 30 years’ experience, gained in some of the world's largest and most successful recruitment agencies, HR consultancies and training providers, I have acquired a deep expertise within the world of work. Operating at Board level with full P&L responsibility, I have supported thousands of individuals into employment through starting and building successful multi-disciplinary training and recruitment businesses.

An employability tutor from national training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), received a heartfelt gesture from a woman that she supported into her first ever job after completing her studies. Jayne Perkins, Childcare and Early Years Educator Tutor at LCG, supported her learner through two courses, gave her a reference for a job and supported her with the application and interview process. The 40 year old woman wanted to study with LCG to improve her English and be able to support her three children with their school homework.

LCG are pleased to retain their GOOD Ofsted rating at their Ripley Academy with the main areas for success being how young people, including those who are often disillusioned with education, benefit from a highly inclusive approach from staff. They ensure that learners receive good support and due to small class sizes learners are more engaged. LCG were also praised for their clear strategy to support learners with special educational needs and/or disabilities and their close links with employers in the health and care industry to develop well-designed distance learning courses for adults.

Chief Executive Officer of Learning Curve Group, Brenda McLeish, is awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list for her services to further education. With over 20 years’ of experience within the education sector, Brenda goes above and beyond to promote positive change for the industry.

National training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), make huge donation of over 500 items to food banks across the country this Christmas. LCG employees came together to set up a Reverse Advent Calendar to get into the festive spirit and give back to their local communities.

National training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), hosted a roundtable discussion with Lord Agnew and the Cabinet Office, local business leaders and education providers to discuss the levelling up strategy with digital skills. LCG welcomed the speakers to their brand new Business Academy in Darlington, which opened its doors to learners in September.

National independent training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), release A Skills Future for the North, a report to explore the current further education landscape and establish what needs to change to ensure the UK’s skills sector is fit for the future.

Learning Curve Group held their annual charity ball at Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield on Friday the 19th of November. The national training provider, with its headquarters in Spennymoor, created a Charitable Foundation in partnership with County Durham Community Foundation to be able to give funds to multiple charity organisations across the North East.

National training provider Learning Curve Group (LCG) is delighted to announce the acquisition of Cardiff-based Motivational Preparation College for Training (MPCT), in a move which will complement its existing academy provision.

As a training provider, apprentices are in the LCG's DNA. The business's clear vision in everything they do is to transform lives through learning. The award winning training provider impacts over 200,000 learners a year and their own apprentices are no different.

Transferring levy funds to organisations who want to use it, not only benefits an individual's training and development but it can also cement strategic partnerships between businesses. This promotes good relationships amongst organisations which may open up business opportunities.

Finalists of The BAME Apprenticeship Awards 2021 gathered in anticipation last night as the winners were announced. Learning Curve Group (LCG), one of the country’s largest training providers were delighted to bring home the gong for Training Provider of the Year at the awards which aim to showcase the outstanding work and achievement of apprentices from black and minority ethnic communities (BAME) and inspires BAME apprentices to reach their full potential.

At the Staff Conference, CEO Brenda McLeish announced some exciting news to their employees as the company plans to increase its staff numbers to over 1,500 by 2025, creating almost 1,000 new jobs across the country. They also will be opening a new skills based academy every year across different regional areas to reach more learners and transform more lives.

The new academy aims to close the business and digital skills gaps that many employers across the region have experienced, by giving learners the skills, qualifications and digital awareness to succeed in the modern-day workplace.

As one of the region's largest employers, the training provider recognises their responsibility to give opportunities to young people in the local area. LCG have always had a ‘practice what you preach’ approach as a training provider and whilst they transform the lives of over one million people across the country, their employees are no different.

North East based training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), are supporting local racing driver, Dominic Wheatley, in this year's Mini Challenge Trophy. Over the years the MINI Challenge has built a reputation for affordability, fairness and fun, and benefits from being the only Championship to enjoy the support of MINI UK.

County Durham based training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), are announced as finalists for the Durham, Sunderland and South Tyneside Company of the Year at the North East Business Awards 2021.

Learning Curve Group (LCG) have successfully guided their first cohort of learners through the new level 3 health and social care qualifications funded by the Government’s National Skills Fund. LCG have secured funding from the Government to deliver five level 3 health and social care courses to learners which are, Dementia Care, End of Life Care, Understanding Autism, Understanding Mental Health and Care and Management of Diabetes.

National training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), are set to open the doors to their brand new Business Academy in Darlington.

Just like most people across the country, the dedicated staff at Learning Curve Group (LCG) are full of celebrations after England get through to their first ever Euros Final. The national training provider based in Spennymoor, County Durham, took the decision to give their employees a late start of 10am on Monday after the final. However, they didn’t want to stop there!

National training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), have successfully secured funding to play a key role in a high profile Government initiative to deliver Skills Bootcamps in Construction, Digital and Rail Engineering across eight of the nine DWP regions as part of the Government's Lifetime Skills Guarantee and Plan for Jobs campaign.

Pride month is the annual celebration and promotion of the equality of the LGBTQ+ community that takes place world wide throughout the month of June. National training and education provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), celebrated Pride month by raising awareness amongst their colleagues and the wider community of LGBTQ+ history and issues.

The Kickstart scheme was introduced by the Government in September 2021 we have seen businesses across the country use the scheme as an opportunity to bring new talent into their workforce. After seeing the positive impact that their new staff members were having on their workforce, PCB Care introduced a new initiative of appointing one of their Kickstart colleagues, Navreen Gill, as Internal Kickstart Ambassador. As they have plans to introduce more Kickstart staff into their business they want to have someone internal to offer support and guidance around the scheme, and realised there would be no one better to give advice to Kickstarters than someone who has experienced the scheme themselves.

The Minister for Defence People and Veterans visited Learning Curve Group Construction Academy in Middlesbrough after hearing about the fantastic work that Learning Curve Group (LCG) are doing with the Building Heroes Charity. LCG partnered with Building Heroes in January 2020 to provide fully funded training to members of the armed forces and military veterans.

The BAME Apprenticeship Awards 2021 Finalists have been released and Learning Curve Group has been shortlisted for the Learning Provider of the Year Award. The BAME Apprenticeship Awards showcases the outstanding work and achievement of apprentices from black and minority ethnic communities (BAME) and inspires BAME apprentices to reach their full potential.

National training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), are announced as a Best Companies Top Employer in the North East and in the Education and Training Sector. The lists, compiled by Best Companies, is calculated through employee feedback that covers everything from management and leadership, to job satisfaction and work-life balance.

Following this week’s publication of the Ministry of Defence Armed Forces Review 2030, outlining the recommendations for re-defining the reserve’s relationship with society and recognising the need to co-operate and share expertise with industry and education, we wanted to celebrate the veterans and reservists we have at LCG. We can attest to the positive impact strong relationships with the MoD brings and we would like to applaud our fantastic reservists across the business and our veterans at the LCG Uniformed Services Academies.

Mental Health is a worldwide issue and the football community is no exception. One in four people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime. Mental Health is relevant to everyone in sport, even at the elite level.

Learning Curve Group Launch Cyber Security Course to help tackle the digital skills gap.

Mushall is a great addition to our executive team with 25 years’ experience of working to benefit young people’s lives and we are looking forward to the positive impact she is going to have as we continue to provide the best quality education and training to our learners.

Training and education specialists, Learning Curve Group (LCG), have completed the acquisition of Antrec Limited, solidifying their position as one of the UK’s largest training providers; supporting over 160,000 learners each year.

We have reached their huge milestone of supporting over one million people to gain a qualification, a mission they set in 2015 and achieved despite having to close their doors and switch to online learning because of the pandemic.

Don't just take our word about our apprenticeship, our employers will tell you more!

The Kickstart Scheme has given me the chance to gain some valuable work experience in marketing, and has really given me the confidence boost that I needed to progress into the world of work.

Not only are LCG utilising this scheme themselves, they are also an approved gateway organisation for businesses that don’t meet the government criteria of 30 positions per application.

As an approved gateway organisation, we give business’s applications the best chance of success with a comprehensive service and a 100% approval rate to date.

Dynamic and innovative vocational training organisation London Hairdressing Apprenticeship Academy (LHAA) are pleased to share the hard work of staff following an interim Ofsted visit.

We are proud after an interim Ofsted visit in October where they were able to showcase their response to Covid-19 and lockdown to Her Majesty’s Inspectors.

Learning Curve Group’s Wakefield Military Academy paid their respects to lost and local veterans in laying their poppy wreath at local residential care home, Walton Manor.

Learning Curve Group, based in Spennymoor, have raised over £60,000 in the past five years through the fundraising efforts of their staff and clients.

Learning Curve Group (LCG) is proud to be named in the top 30 of the top 100 apprenticeship employers in England, having demonstrated the benefits of applying the apprenticeship levy to support business growth.

The DfE’s Skills Toolkit has seen an expansion to more than 70 courses in digital, numeracy and employability courses; with national education and training experts, Learning Curve Group, supporting the delivery of key employability programmes.

Today we have completed the acquisition of Acorn Training Consultants Ltd (Acorn) from Babington, solidifying their position as one of the UK’s largest training providers. Training and education specialists, Learning Curve Group (LCG), have completed the acquisition of Acorn Training Consultants Ltd (Acorn) from Babington, solidifying their position as one of the UK’s largest training providers.

Learning Curve Group, one of the UK’s largest and most diverse training providers, has announced that former QA CEO, William Macpherson, is to become Chair with immediate effect.

Our apprenticeship programmes have had a bit of a re-vamp to support businesses recover from Coronavirus. As restrictions on social interactions are set to be in place for an unknown period of time, face-to-face learning has been halted, and learning has found a new home online

Many still see apprentices as school leavers who are just beginning to embark on their career journey, but this isn’t always the case. They’re also not just for new staff; existing staff can enrol onto an apprenticeship programme, which is great for business that have identified skills gaps.

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, called on Learning Curve Group’s Construction Academy in Middlesbrough as they begin to welcome learners back into practical classes.

Redundancies are never easy decisions for business to make, but sometimes they can be the difference between a business surviving or not.

There really is no better time to make sure the skills in your business work for your business and with over 40 fully funded qualifications to choose from there is support available for all sectors. #SummerofSkills

In Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s summer statement, he outlined the government’s new campaign, a ‘plan for jobs’. The announcement on July 8, dubbed a ‘mini budget’, included a range of new schemes which aim to support employers and individuals recover from the Coronavirus pandemic and get the economy back up and running. His statement included a range of incentives to support people into employment, as well as supporting employers with narrowing skills gaps within their organisation by employing apprentices and trainees.

Apprenticeship programmes are a great way to upskill existing staff and narrow skills gaps within your organisation. They allow employees to combine work and study by mixing on-the-job training with a more traditional style of learning; they’ve been around for years, but they’ve had a bit of a revamp recently as the apprenticeship levy was introduced.

There has been a spike in demand from individuals looking to complete online training in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. The demand comes as 400,000 people have signed up to become an NHS volunteer to support our health service in facing one of the biggest challenges of the century.

Remote working has quickly become the new normal and for us, we’ve brought our learners on the journey with us and moved as much of our teaching and learning online, too. Our apprenticeship employers have positively engaged with the flexibility that learning remotely brings and continue to book their staff in for inductions from home and are confident in our abilities and quick implementation.

Training provider Learning Curve Group (LCG), have donated 29 digital tablets and valuable PPE to South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to support staff and patients during to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Education and training experts Learning Curve Group have launched a drive to support people across the Tees Valley who are in isolation to gain qualifications by studying online.

Navigating teaching and learning in lockdown - How we are ensuring quality leads the way in an online world.

The best thing about my apprenticeship is being able to work in a supporting environment - if I ever have any queries or need help doing my work there is always somebody available to support me.

We are delighted to announce that funds advised by Agilitas Private Equity (“Agilitas”) will be backing LCG’s management and support the business with its significant growth plans going forward.

Newcastle Building Society is the biggest building society in the North East and has joined forces with Learning Curve Group to showcase the efforts they have made to debunk the myths associated with apprenticeships and demonstrate the positive impact apprentices of any age can have on an organisation.

Learning Curve Group (LCG) are delighted to announce the acquisition of London based hair and beauty training provider the London Hairdressing Apprenticeship Academy (LHAA) and their subsidiary, London Beauty Training Academy (LBTA).

National training provider, Learning Curve Group, recently launched their #EducateWhilstYouIsolate campaign and have been inundated with over 13,000 requests in just 13 days.

County Durham based Learning Curve Group has been commissioned by Durham County Council to deliver training to staff working in a variety of service areas.

SMEs in the Midlands are eligible for apprenticeships at no cost! Find out if your business qualifies.

Long gone are the days where Apprenticeships were the only training option for young people to land their first job within the trades industries. We take a look how apprenticeships are now for everyone.

People are at the centre of everything we do, so we’ve made an important decision to change the pillars upon which our fund was established with the aim of supporting those who are in need of funds more than ever.

Bishop Auckland MP, Dehenna Davison, and Learning Curve Group CEO, Brenda McLeish, were invited to Number 10 today to represent the County Durham, Sunday Times Top 100 company to work for and celebrate the wonderful women of the United Kingdom.

We are delighted to be placed in the Best Companies to Work for Top 100 list for the second year running. Our employee count has grown significantly since last year, and given that it’s the staff who submit feedback for this award, it is incredible that even with significant growth we continue to be an amazing place to work.

The next course will run at Learning Curve Group Construction Academy on Skippers Lane industrial estate in Middlesbrough for five days per week over a five-week period and the next cohort starts 2 March 2020.

I was already familiar with Learning Curve Group and since living close to the head office I thought it would be a good option for me

Providing training for their employees not only supports succession planning, but also assists with making their employees feel more motivated, committed to the company and supportive of the group’s objectives.

Children’s Mental Health Week takes place on 3-9 February 2020 - Jayne Carlisle, tutor has produced some articles aimed at raising awareness of the impact of mental ill-health on development and life chances.

Tees Valley Combined Authority are continuing to support apprenticeships in Tees Valley and will be offering a new Grant for Apprenticeship starts from 1st February 2020.

I currently work as a MIS Apprentice within the Audit and Certification department at Learning Curve Group. My daily role includes ensuring that the learners’ work is prepped and ready to be audited to allow the students to receive their certificates for the course which they have successfully completed.

The LCG Beauty Academy opened at the beginning of 2019 in the Gemini Centre, Villers Street. The unit, near Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, had been left vacant for some time before LCG took on the lease and transformed it into a beautiful hub for the people of Hartlepool to come and develop new skills.

Learning Curve Group Construction Academy in Middlesbrough has partnered with charity Building Heroes to provide fully funded training to members of the armed forces and military veterans.

We’re really grateful for the support of our staff, at a time of year where they are not only thinking about their own families, they’re also thinking about those most in need and we’re really thankful for their donations.

Learning Curve Group have stepped in to take on the lease of the Hartlepool office and keep all provision active and jobs secure, ensuring it is business as usual for employers, learners and staff.

The Tees Valley Women’s Centre is a fantastic venue and has enabled me to turn my life around. I have already completed a number of courses with Learning Curve Group and am looking forward to completing more.

We are absolutely delighted to have retained our gold award for Investors in People. We’ve really invested in our workforce over the past few years in line with our company values to develop and empower our staff.

The awards celebrate inspirational business leaders from across the region, promoting the best in business from across the North East. McLeish joined Learning Curve Group over 10 years ago, at a time when the business had just 40 members of staff and a turnover of £1m per year.

At the 2018 North East England Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner an auction was held to win the 150-year-old stone which had formerly been in place at the top of the Cathedral’s Central Tower before it was removed and replaced.

The local MP had a tour of the head office which opened earlier this year and has recently seen an extension into a third building due to rapid growth.

We are currently pursuing opportunities as a lead provider and are looking for delivery partners to work with us collaboratively to achieve ESF projects.

Constant headlines on Brexit have been having an impact on businesses and they are creating unavoidable niggles at the back of people’s minds as they are faced with rise and fall of exchange rates, food shortage warnings and changing costs – however, there’s been no better time to invest in skills and development.

The first Lumiere light festival took place in Durham in 2009. Originally planned as a one-off, with the support of Durham County Council and other sponsors, producers Artichoke have brought the event back to the North East every other year since then.

The world of apprenticeships has seen dramatic changes in recent years - the impacts of which have been felt by employers, learners and training providers.

The programme aims to give learners the foundations to explore topics such as health and nutrition, personal exercise, strength and conditioning, as well as studying mental health awareness, first aid and the ‘Red Card to Racism’ initiative.

We’ve been in our amazing new HQ for just 6 months and have already outgrown it. We have an extremely friendly, collaborative and loyal workforce and bringing them together has been a main priority for us to enhance these values even more and continue to support our growth and business aims for 2019 and beyond.

Navigate Brexit uncertainties with expert insights - Learn about its impact on businesses and workforce development

Introduced over two years ago, the apprenticeship levy has transformed the ways that businesses think about their training and development opportunities.

End-point assessment (EPA) is one of the biggest changes from the apprenticeship reforms. All learners now have to complete an end-point assessment in order to complete their course, rather than being continually assessed throughout.

Skills gaps are on the increase; with an ageing workforce, the uncertainty of Brexit, and the lowest unemployment rates since the 70’s, finding staff with the right skills to fill vacancies is becoming an increasing struggle.

A County Durham training provider has launched their own charity foundation to help transform lives across the region. Learning Curve Group, based in Spennymoor, have raised over £50,000 in the past four years through the fundraising efforts of their staff and clients.

It’s time to celebrate, because the war is over! We’re delighted to announce that the theme of this year’s annual Charity Ball is VE Day.

We have announced a new partnership with gym chain Xercise4Less - offering 4 exceptional level 3 qualifications to develop the next generation of fitness professionals.

Learning Curve Group is partnering with local university to provide businesses with access to a broad portfolio of qualifications to meet business needs.

With an uncertain future surrounding Brexit and the UK’s position within the European Union, a major concern for employers across the UK is the impact leaving the EU is going to have on their organisation.

Alexandra-Jane James-Duncan, or AJ for short has recently completed her traineeship with us. AJ started the course on the 26th November 2018.

Adam attended our pre screens after he decided that the agricultural college didn’t offer quite as much practical work as he desired. He will also admit that it didn’t offer up the opportunity to drive a tractor that Adam had dreamed of as a child!

We are proud to announce the launch of a brand-new qualification, Understanding Workplace Violence and Harassment. The new qualification is offered fully funded, and will enhance staff training on effective communication and reducing workplace conflict.

Georgina is now a personal trainer, motivating others to achieve their goals and get fit and healthy. She studied her personal training qualification with Learning Curve Group.

Since the introduction of GDPR last year, it’s more important than ever that all businesses, big or small, are taking steps to keep their online activity safe and secure and prevent data breaches.

Brenda McLeish has joined two other top businesswomen from the region in adding their voices to a group that helps drive economic transformation across the region.

Two members of staff from the Learning Curve Group Construction Academy graduated last week with their Cert. Ed degree at Middlesbrough Town Hall, after completing their qualification with Middlesbrough College, in partnership with Teesside University.

Having launched the certificate in collaboration with NCFE, we are the only training provider to offer this qualification, which will enhance data protection and security training for anyone who handles data as part of their work.

The recently published versions of the ESFA’s apprenticeship funding guidance and rules for 2018 to 2019 contain some changes to apprenticeship policy, as well as several rule changes, new evidence requirements and lots of clarifications.

We’re hoping that, with the generosity of both guests and sponsors, the ball will raise lots of vital funds for Zoe’s Place, so they can continue to change lives and make a difference to children in the North East.

Learning Curve Group has further strengthened its education and training provision to employers and individuals with the acquisition of Profound Group. The acquisition makes Learning Curve Group one of the largest national training providers in the UK.

We have been working extremely hard behind the scenes to bring a fresh, new approach to how we present what we can do, to you. We have stripped our website down to its bare bones and built it back up again with vital, worthwhile information that is easy to find and understand.

Learning Curve Group (LCG) have scooped the Skills Provider of the Year award at the prestigious Education Investor Awards 2018, collecting their 4th title in 3 years. Held at the iconic Park Lane Hilton in London, LCG impressed the judges with our ‘7,000 successful apprenticeships and the achievement of over 61,000 flexible learning qualifications.’

Learning Curve Group tutors and learners came to the rescue of Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice to rescue a water-damaged storage building, caused by the theft of lead from the roof.

North East learners are putting their skills to the test with the construction of a new head office in Durham, as part of a £1m investment by Learning Curve Group (LCG).

Building on its existing training and development programmes for its workforce of more than 300, the County Durham-based education and training provider has launched the new academy to help develop focused career paths for its staff.

The North East-based company, which specialises in education and training for further education providers and employers, won the prestigious title at the 2018 Annual Apprenticeship Conference (AAC) Awards for its ‘all-encompassing’ support for the roll-out of the Apprenticeship Levy in 2017.

Hosted by Deputy Chair of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, Graham Robb, the event was held for business leaders of organisations of more than 150 employees at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts in Gateshead.

The awards presentation, hosted by Sir Anthony Seldon – a leading contemporary historian, educationalist, commentator, political author and vice-chancellor of The University of Buckingham – was held at London’s Hilton Park Lane, in a glittering affair with over 150 businesses in attendance.

Heart FM DJ, Justin Lockwood, hosted the charity ball at Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield on Friday 15 September. Over 160 guests enjoyed fabulous entertainment from glamorous dance group Encore, saxophone player Daniel Johnson, rising singing star Abi Garrido and live band Audio Cover.