AN ambitious North-East training company has expanded with the buyout of a nearby rival.

Gateshead based Access Training has announced the acquisition of Durham Training which has a training centre in Chester-le-Street.

Established in 1989 from the management buyout of English Estates YTS, Access Training has grown to be one of the leading apprenticeship training providers in the region with 20 staff.

The firm works with 1,000 learners and over 200 local businesses each year and in 2009 became the only training provider in Tyne and Wear to achieve national recognition through the award of the prestigious Training Quality Standard (TQS).

With Durham Training’s customer base, the buyout will allow Access to expand its reach into the south of the region. The move will also increase the firm’s offer by adding hairdressing and beauty therapy to its range of courses.

Access, which is owned and managed by Malcolm Armstrong, will gain 10 staff and a 3,000 square foot training centre in the deal.

Durham Training is currently an arm of Durham Business Group (DBG) which also owns a thriving business network, Durham Business Club. The sale of the training division will allow DBG to concentrate on this core activity.

The deal was supported by law experts Ward Hadaway and Jacksons and financial advisers, Haines Watts.

Managing director of Access Training, Malcolm Armstrong said: “We have worked closely with Durham Training over the last 18 months on a number of projects so we are fully aware of how they operate. We have synergies in our approach to quality and customer care and the acquisition of the business is key to achieving the objectives of our business plan. The purchase will give us wider geographical coverage, great opportunities for our employees and will allow us to increase our market share in the region.”

Mr Armstrong is chairman of professional body, Northumbria Learning Providers, which represents 50 training companies and lobbies on further education policy

Until 2011, Access primarily offered apprenticeships but has recently introduced pre-apprenticeship training for 16-18 year olds, higher apprenticeships (Levels 4 and 5) and training for unemployed over 19s. The Team Valley firm has also launched a partnerships division to proactively seek and lead subcontracting arrangements with other training providers.   

Managing director of Durham Business Group, Christine Yule: “We’ve enjoyed a very successful partnership with Access Training and formally joining the organisations was a natural next step.  Access has taken over a well respected and high performing training provider and, with their undoubted expertise in the field, I am sure they will take it to an even higher level.  We wish them every success.”