Member Article

Principal Skills double office size in 7 months

A pioneering new training company has more than doubled in office space at the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC).

Principal Skills Ltd have gone from 250 sq ft to now occupying 650 sq ft in the award winning Jupiter Centre in just seven months gearing up for their three year growth plan.

The company began by Libby Halliday and Joanne Crosby when they moved into the BIC incubator offices, designed for start-up companies. Libby said:

“We didn’t expect to grow so quickly but are so pleased the BIC had the facilities that met our specific needs and a team of positive people to help with the smooth transition.

“We are looking to expand and take on further staff members as well as apprentices of our own. I think being at the BIC has definitely supported the increase our business.”

Principal Skills specialises in apprentices for all ages as well as short courses and bespoke training for SMEs. The two directors both agree, there is a misconception that apprentices are low paid and tend to be young but that is not the case, Libby continues:

“All employees have opportunities to increase skills, knowledge and capabilities to improve their career prospects and their confidence and we can help with that.”

The BIC is a bustling business community with 140 tenants and Principal Skills Ltd have benefited from this by working with other busineses on site.

The company work with Tyne and Wear Care Alliance to provide higher level apprenticeship training to managers as well as having help with their branding from SLR Design, also based at the BIC, not to mention the IT support and resources supplied by Xiscad. Business partner Jo added:

“We would like to thank The Learning Curve Group who are one of our main sub contractors to enable us to support and guide our apprentices to gain the very best training for businesses

“Due to expansion in our team and growth in our funding contract we now able to offer a variety of funded qualification including Business Admin and Management qualifications in all levels.

“Invest in your team by contact us to discuss the training requirements of your company and let us develop your team.”

For a tour of the space available at the BIC call Donna Surtees, senior space adviser on 0191 516 6066.

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