Yorkshire Training Firm Experiences 15% Growth in 12 Months

With a mission to become the number one provider of Early Years qualifications in England as the business goes from strength to strength.

Eden Training Solutions, leading provider of apprenticeship and professional training in Yorkshire and throughout the UK, has experienced a 15% revenue increase since 2020, as the firm has adapted to provide crucial learning despite the ongoing effects of the pandemic. 

As a result of this success, which has seen turnover exceed £3.2m in 2021, the firm, which is headquartered in Wakefield, has created 22 new jobs – largely due to the increased demand for professional qualifications, particularly in the Early Years sector.

To drive growth in the Early Years training market, Eden Training Solutions is set to implement a dramatic rebrand in early 2022. The brand identity will evolve from its previous corporate look and feel, designed to appeal to large levy-paying firms, to one that complements its mission to be the number one training provider for the Early Years sector in England – whilst still appealing to a variety of other industries in which the business operates, including fitness and education. Central to these plans is Eden’s strategy to defend its core business, while expanding into adjacent markets, investing in big audacious goals, and expanding new core business. 

The training company, which was founded in 2008 by Lorna Newbould, already enjoys a 20% market share for supplying level 2 to 5 apprenticeship training in Yorkshire and is now geared up to increase its foothold throughout the entire country. While other Early Years training providers originally steered away from the new apprenticeship standards, Eden has been an early adopter of them, working closely with the Trailblazer group to ensure its programme met the needs of Early Years employers.

The continued success of the business is primarily due to Eden’s complete delivery model overhaul in 2021. This has seen the team take a completely adaptable and blended approach that has allowed for flexible and remote learning; crucial for the many learners who have been furloughed or looking for work through redundancy. 

The company has also introduced new technologies and processes to improve access to learning in a changing working landscape. This includes the introduction of the company’s new Campus system, an innovative virtual learning portal that provides access to newly developed online learning resources, learner and employer onboarding, dashboard reporting and access to live and pre-recorded webinars with their Skills Coach. It also includes access to crucial information regarding an individual’s programme of learning, including the use of supportive technologies to identify learners’ maths and English needs. Eden’s online learning platforms tick the box for every nursery setting in supporting their employees to meet the needs of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the ever-changing requirements from OFSTED.

What’s more, the business has created a unique framework of Early Years apprenticeship delivery, which includes a free offer of Paediatric First Aid for all Early Years apprentices, along with further enrichment-based training for digital skills development as part of all of its apprenticeship programmes. Access to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is crucial in meeting the demands of OFSTED. Eden provides its learners with access to all the mandatory training components, including Safeguarding, Prevent, Fundamental British Values (FBV), EYFS updates and sustainability, which all form part of the company’s overall apprenticeship offer. In addition to this, Eden’s expert team of Functional Skills specialists support learners with special educational needs and provide additional learning support for learners that need it.

Eden Training Solutions’ intends to become the market leader for Early Years apprenticeships in England by providing the very best training to nursery practitioners, nursery nurses, room leaders, deputy managers and nursery managers, through industry-leading development of employee knowledge, skills and behaviours. Eden’s bespoke apprenticeship delivery model meets the industry reported skills gaps that employers have recognised as crucial for staff development and business growth.

Lorna Newbould, CEO and Founder at Eden Training Solutions, comments: “It’s been an incredibly challenging two years through COVID, however, we’ve stuck with our customers and they’ve stuck with us. Regular and open communication has been the key to this success, along with the loyalty and hard work of our amazing, 60-strong staff. The entire team has worked tirelessly to ensure our clients and learners have been able to benefit from ongoing – and crucial –  training despite the effects of the pandemic. 

“The Pandemic has caused many barriers for learners as well as issues arising in relation to health and wellbeing. Eden’s Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) has been on hand to support learners who have experienced these issues, providing useful advice and guidance which has enabled learners to continue with their studies.

“We’re all excited about what 2022 is set to bring as we drive growth in the Early Years sector, alongside our other priorities. These include delivering fully funded AEB courses in Fitness, Digital, English and Maths programmes to people in Sheffield, and traineeships, which are designed for 16 to 18-year-olds who want to progress to an apprenticeship, paid employment, or further study.” 

In 2022, along with the rebrand, new website and prospectus, the business footprint will be extended across the nine English regions, with significant investment in expanding its existing team of occupational competent, specialist and degree qualified skills coaches, skills teachers and skills assessors.