Member Article

Bishop Auckland’s Learning Curve Group acquires WWP

Training firm Learning Curve Group has acquired a North East recruitment and learner find company in a seven figure deal.

As part of targeted expansion, the Bishop Auckland firm’s takeover of WorkWise Personnel Limited (WWP) will allow it to capitalise on opportunities created by new government education and skills policy.

WWP’s services will be brought in-house at Learning Curve to link training programmes, support for learners seeking work and employers looking to recruit and train employees.

The deal will give Learning Curve Group and WWP’s main client the internal capacity to find learners suitable to gain qualifications through its range of training programmes and to engage directly with employers.

At the same time, the recruitment arm of WWP will create a clear link between skills development and employment.

With national focus now on apprenticeships, up-skilling of the unemployed and linking skills development to job improvement, the move will perfectly place Learning Curve Group to excel in this expanding marketplace.

WWP will continue to operate under its current name until full company integration in July 2016.

Managing Director Dave Williams will leave the business but Operations Director Nicola Burrows will remain and become a Learning Curve Group board member and Director of Client Services.

Brenda McLeish, Chief Executive of Learning Curve Group, said: “WorkWise Personnel is a company we know well and which provides us with valuable services.

“However the government’s current FE sector agenda means it is fundamentally important that we increase our internal capacity for direct employer engagement.

“This deal also gives us greater control and flexibility of learner recruitment, and helps us complete the cycle between supporting people seeking better qualifications through our market leading education and training courses and then helping them into employment.

“We have identified significant growth opportunities to develop WorkWise Personnel’s business model further, including expanding current recruitment activity and widening services geographically.

“Overall, this acquisition will help Learning Curve Group to further our ambitions for growth and increase our all-round education and training expertise.”

WWP Managing Director, Dave Williams said: “I’m immensely proud of all we have achieved since the business was set up as a sole trader 19 years ago.

“This deal represents a natural progression of our business and is a great opportunity for it grow further under the Learning Curve Group name.

“WorkWise has a strong team of recruitment specialists and they are also very proficient and professional when it comes to learner find services, which is a very important part our business.

“I’m sad to be leaving the business after all these years, but it is the right time for me to retire. However, I am leaving the business in a very strong and healthy position. This is very positive move and one which will bring added job security for our tremendous workforce.”