Member Article

Sunderland training firm in seven times the size expansion

Xiscad Training, a Sunderland-based apprenticeship training firm, has expanded into seven times the size from 700 sq ft to occupying over 5000 sq ft at the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC).

Just three years ago Xiscad began life above a shop on Hylton Road and now run their growing business from 11 offices here at the 14 acre BIC site.

Providing the ICT industry with apprentices, the company boast a 97 per cent success rate as well as 94 per cent of apprentices going into higher education or employment. David Wilson, director of curriculum and quality explains: “We have just recently expanded in numbers so we needed more space to accommodate that as well as to keep planning for future growth.”

Xiscad’s apprentices are from all areas of the North East region, Steve Metcalf, commercial director, adds: “We have employed a lot of apprentices ourselves because we decided that if it was possible to grow our business with apprentices then we would.

“Currently we have taken on 14 who have become supervisors in the commercial workshops. We even have three who have gone through their teaching qualifications to become tutors.

“Apprentices are so valuable to SMEs and you really get to know the person at the end. We differ because we offer a professional telecoms qualification that isn’t offered elsewhere.”

The company have also expanded with several recycling contracts with local authorities and colleges.

David Wilson said: “The recycling contract with local authorities was agreed on the premise that whatever we get we give 30 per cent back as a charitable donation to the community, and we sell the remainder at a much reduced cost just to service that community.

“As an example, we work with South Tyneside Council and we have just taken a consignment with nearly 4,000 pieces, desktops, laptops and telecoms and 30 per cent of that will be paid back to South Tyneside as a charitable donation.”

Speaking highly of the BIC facilities, Steve added: “We benefit from superb service and it is great that we can adapt the configuration of the rooms to adapt our needs. The 24 security is a huge factor to us and overall it’s a well maintained working environment.”

“The transport links are fantastic for our apprentices to get here from all over the region the age of them not many of them drive so it has good links.”

Donna Surtees, senior space adviser, said: “It is fantastic to witness Xiscad growing, especially that we can facilitate the company’s expansion here at the BIC. I wish them all the success in the future and look forward to helping them with their next office.”

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