Learning Curve Group celebrates Purple People Academy graduation

National training provider, Learning Curve Group (LCG), celebrated the graduation of their Purple People Academy on the first day of National Apprenticeship Week. LCG invited their apprenticeship graduates to Hardwick Hall Hotel for a special afternoon tea and graduation ceremony with CEO, Brenda McLeish OBE.

LCG has supported their second cohort of the Purple People Academy to achieve apprenticeship qualifications from level 2 up to level 7, some of whom joining the business after leaving school and others who have completed higher level management qualifications.

LCG’s Marketing and Communications Director, Neil Whittaker, completed his level 7 MBA with the business and Teesside University. The organisation is driven to prove that apprenticeships are for everyone, at any point in their careers.

During the graduation ceremony Brenda spoke to the apprentices about how she admired their hard work and dedication to gain new skills, whilst making a real difference through their roles at LCG.

Many of LCG’s senior employees began their careers as an apprentice or in temporary roles. Brenda reflected on her own career progression, starting out as a PA at a further education college to now owning one of the largest training providers in the country.

Brenda McLeish OBE, CEO of LCG, said: “I am delighted to spend the first day of National Apprenticeship Week with our Purple People Academy graduates.

“I am so proud of what they have achieved, it has been fantastic to see them all grow with the business and build on their careers. I am looking forward to watching them all progress further within their roles at Learning Curve Group and move onto higher qualifications.

“It is very important to me that we continue to ‘practice what we preach’ as a training provider and show how important apprenticeships are to the development of individuals at any age, or point in their careers.”

The Purple People Academy was an initiative introduced by Brenda back in 2019. As one of the region’s largest employers, the training provider recognises their responsibility to give opportunities to young people in the local area.

LCG have always had a ‘practice what you preach’ approach as a training provider and whilst they transform the lives of over one million people across the country, their employees are no different.

One of their core values is to ensure their staff are empowered and one of the ways they do that is through the Purple People Academy and regular CPD opportunities.

LCG has successfully trained two cohorts of apprentices through the Purple People Academy, many of whom have now progressed into full time employment or higher level apprenticeships within the business.

The training provider employed their third cohort of apprentices back in September 2021 who are currently working towards a range of level 3 apprenticeships including Digital Marketing, Business Administration and IT.