Hartlepool training firm helps over 200 people to gain new skills and work during lockdown

Orangebox Training Solutions, based on the Queens Meadow Business Park, acted quickly when the nationwide shutdown happened so that local people could continue to learn new skills and gain employment.

They changed from face to face training to delivering employability courses online supported by a learner engagement team on the telephone.

It has resulted in over 200 unemployed adults completing training in lockdown with a large percentage finding employment at the end of it with some major clients like Amazon.

Orangebox Training CEO Simon Corbett said: “We know that this is a very difficult time, both for our adult learners, education providers and local businesses.

“It is, however, crucial that local people can continue to gain the qualifications and skills they need throughout this period to gain employment, and Orangebox has been talking to all our providers about solutions in order make this happen.

“I am pleased to say that there has been a very positive response, and that all our employability options are being made available online.

“We have continued to recruit unemployed learners, train them in the necessary qualification and offer them guaranteed job interviews with local businesses including Amazon in Darlington and a major supermarket distribution centres in Teesport, Sunderland and Bradford.”

One candidate started work just two days after completing his training, and over 83% who completed training for Amazon landed a job.

Orangebox invested in new online platforms during the shutdown to enable people to continue learning remotely while being supported over the phone by their tutors.

Simon added: “Employers and learners alike are responding positively to new ways of working.”

There has also been great demand for Orangebox’s first aid and health and safety training courses which resumed this week.

The company is working in partnership with West Hartlepool Rugby Club which is providing a new venue for the face to face training along with the council-run CETL (Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning) at Brierton.

Orangebox is also set to provide web-based training to businesses in a project with the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

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