Welsh training and apprenticeships provider, Educ8 Training, is expanding into England after acquiring equine trainer Haddon Training in Berkshire.
The deal is the Ystrad Mynach-based firm’s third acquisition in recent years, following the purchase of NTS in 2015 and ISA Training in 2018. It will result in the group’s turnover reaching circa £13.5m.
In addition to its geographical expansion, the acquisition of Haddon Training sees Educ8 also grow its range of training services. With Haddon specialising in the equine sector, Educ8 is now able to offer apprenticeships in animal care, zookeeping and business.
Haddon will continue to operate as a separate entity but as part of the Educ8 Group.
Educ8’s training founder and chairman, Colin Tucker said: “We are proud to be a Welsh enterprise and help Welsh businesses upskill their workforce by providing quality educational and growth opportunities to both employers and learners. Through this development with Haddon Training, we are thrilled to take our training opportunities into England.”
Educ8 offers apprenticeships and training in the workplace across a range of sectors including, leadership and management, digital marketing, childcare, hair, beauty and health and social care.
It was founded in 2004 to support the health and social care sector with fewer than 15 people and a small contract with a work-based learning provider.
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The business has grown both organically and through the acquisition of three businesses. It now delivers more than 30 apprenticeships to over 800 businesses and nearly 2,000 learners across Wales. It currently employs over 180 staff.
In May 2021, Educ8 was named the best mid-sized company to work for in the Ƶ. It took the top spot in the category by Best Companies for firms employing at least 75 staff.
Haddon Training began in 1997 and is considered a leading skills trainer in the equestrian sector. It is now an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ training provider, employing over 50 people with a turnover of £2.5m.
CEO of Educ8 Training, Grant Santos said: “Haddon is a prestigious and well-respected training provider. We are delighted to be given the opportunity to take the business forward as part of our group. We are very excited about the future at Educ8. Our ambition is to invest in the infrastructure and resources of Haddon and grow the business over the next five years.”
