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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).

The training and skills provider is relocating from its current Bishop Auckland head office to new offices at the DurhamGate site in Spennymoor, in a move which is expected to create up to 60 new jobs at LCG.

Meldrum, the contractor for the £4m construction project, has engaged several learners to support the final phase of the building work at the 17,000 sq ft office, who have been trained through LCG from its Skill Centres across the North East.

Learning Curve Group’s Skill Centres provide specialist courses in construction trades including joinery and bricklaying, as well as uniformed services training to prepare learners for the Armed Forces.

Learning Curve Group works with more than 4,500 businesses each year, delivering a range of fully funded training and apprenticeship schemes.

Employing in excess of 310 staff and 500 associates across its seven centres in the UK, Learning Curve Group’s extensive portfolio of services includes apprenticeships, distance learning qualifications, innovative online platforms and a recruitment business, which it acquired in 2015.

Coinciding with the completion of its new headquarters, LCG is also launching its Purple People Academy in September, creating 25 new apprenticeship opportunities in the organisation, with recruitment currently underway.

Learning Curve Group CEO, Brenda McLeish said: “We are eagerly anticipating the opening of our new head offices, and it is fitting that a number of our learners are involved in its construction. Getting them on board for the final stages of the project is a great opportunity for our learners’ development and will give them first-hand experience of using their construction skills and trades on a live, high worth building project.

“Each year, we work with a range of companies to help further people’s careers through training programmes and apprenticeships, as well as actively creating new positions within the company, which this development will deliver. This latest investment will set Learning Curve Group up for continued growth, and reaffirms our commitment to the North East region as the base of our operations.”

Established in 2001, Meldrum is a growing UK construction company based in Gateshead, which delivers a range of building and construction services, as well as civil engineering solutions.

Dave Meldrum, Managing Director of Meldrum Construction Services, said: “At Meldrum, we’re extremely passionate about learning and development and we’re partnering with Learning Curve Group to give their learners the opportunity to support the final phase of the building work. We believe that organisations such as Learning Curve Group are vitally important, and we’re thrilled to be delivering its new head office in Spennymoor.

“Since 2001, we’ve supported over 130 apprentices through their qualifications, as well as sponsored staff through higher education as far as Masters Degrees. It is our belief that no one should ever be disadvantaged due to their background or personal circumstance, and we are committed to providing learning and employment opportunities wherever possible.”

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