Partner Article

New training space for UGet Training

A new business, designed to meet the increasing demands of driver training, has chosen the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) for its new office.

With over 50 years of transport experience between them, two friends joined forces and started their own business, UGet Training, and moved into office space at the BIC after visiting on an open day.

When Jason Whitelaw found himself redundant he began to pursue his dream of becoming his own boss and approached friend for over five years, Arthur Aiken, to become his business partner. By September 2013 new legislation comes into place requiring that all PCV and HGV drivers will need to complete 35 hours of training to enable them to carry on driving. Jason, a qualified assessor and trainer, said:

“I first met Arthur when I was delivering a training session at his place of work and he was running the shift, we’ve been friends ever since and when I invited him to join me in a business venture he jumped at it. We looked at other training companies and thought we can do better than that.

“I love interacting with people it’s something that I really enjoy. Obviously drivers love to be on the open roads and hate to be stuck indoors but since we started at the beginning of the summer we have had great feedback.

“It’s a really exciting time and I love being based here at the BIC. It isn’t just about the office space we have; it’s about the whole package of support we have received. We heard the BIC were holding an open day so we visited and became very confident that it was the right place for our business.”

Arthur who has spent his life working for transport companies added:

“It’s a scary thought being self employed, but a good scary. I am at the stage in my life where I need to take risks and get out of my comfort zone. We are taking each day as it comes but by this time next year I would like to think we are contributing to someone’s life and employing them.

“We have never been in this situation before and everything is a learning curve. But I think that with our passion and determination we can make this business a success.”

Victoria Thompson, Head of Communications at the BIC said:

“The BIC welcome all entrepreneurs, and we’ve invested a huge amount of resource in assuring that all of our tenant and visitor needs are catered for. I’m delighted that Jason and Arthur feel our facilities match their ethos for UGet Training and we’re looking forward to helping the business grow over the coming months and years.”

For more information please visit www.ugetraining.co.uk

The BIC offers a range of commercial property options with flexible tenancy agreement. Business space the site ranges from 6000 sq ft industrial units to 150 sq ft small office space to let, perfect for start-up, expanding and well-established businesses.

To arrange a site visit and view the variety of business space available, please call Donna Surtees on 0191 516 6066 or email space@ne-bic.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Spence .