A specialist Midlands training company has celebrated a successful first year after helping 1,000 people complete work-related training courses and apprenticeships.
GLP Training, based in Worcester, opened its doors last May and in its first 12 months has grown rapidly to employ 30 people, including 18 people from the local area.
The thriving company is the vision of founder and managing director Gemma Louise Parsons, 26, who formed the business after working in the transport and facilities industry for four years and identified the lack of training available within large organisations.
The firm specialises in training staff in the facilities management, sales, property and transport sectors, and has gone on to secure contracts with organisations including Luton Airport, London transport depots, property companies and three FTSE 100 organisations.
During the past year they have guided 1,000 people through their government-funded training programmes while a further 2,000 will be enrolled from August.
The courses cover everything from shop floor employees in cleaning and support services, right up to senior management and team leaders. They also offer professional management courses, apprenticeships, diplomas and degrees.
Miss Parsons believes that a key element to the success in GLP’s maiden year has been the delivery of essential skills in maths and English alongside cost-effective vocational training which many British employers feel their workforces require.
She said: “My ambition has been to provide beneficial modern day vocational training – whether that’s for employed or unemployed people. I am delighted that we have been able to create opportunities and career paths for everyone, enabling employers to strengthen and up-skill their workforces.
“In our first year we have also broken down the misconceptions of apprenticeships and work-based training, educating people and employers on the benefits of industry specific training available.
“Adult training has also been very successful for GLP and we have worked with learners from all different backgrounds to help them progress their careers.
“Over the last year we have shown that correctly implemented government training programmes can have life changing results. Not just for those on the training courses, but also financial and operational advantages to businesses who work with us. Many of them have gone on to secure new business due to their fully trained workforce and commitment to training.”
Miss Parsons also runs Worcestershire-based managed service provider, AMMEG Group, which she set up two and a half years ago.