Stockton-based JD Training Solutions has received £25k in funding to help move to a central location in the town centre and create new roles within the business.
The loan is from NPIF – BEF & FFE Microfinance, part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.
The training provider, which is supporting the regeneration efforts of Stockton town centre, offers professionally recognised training courses across a number of industries including health and social care, manufacturing, construction and first aid courses for all sectors.
Registered nurse Annette Heath established JD Training Solutions 13 years ago and is hoping to take her business to the next level, thanks to the loan from the Business Enterprise Fund (BEF); a social enterprise offering funding to firms across Yorkshire and the North East.
Annette said: “After working as a registered nurse, I wanted to create somewhere that carers could learn a number of skills with passion and empathy. Since then the business has grown to provide bespoke training courses across various industries.
“Moving into this office has given the business a new lease of life! With greater facilities, we now have the ability to expand and offer more courses than ever before. With this extra work, we want to take on an apprentice to train them up and hopefully they will move onto higher roles with us. I’m also keen to make connections with local universities to source professionals who can help us market our business.”
Ben Houchen, Mayor of Tees Valley, said: “This investment is a great example of how the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund is being used by companies in Tees Valley to grow and improve the services they offer to local people. The care sector is hugely important across the region, both as an employer and a provider of care, so it is encouraging to hear JD Training Solutions is looking to take on an apprentice and give a young person the opportunity to earn and learn.”
BEF was awarded joint fund manager status for NPIF – BEF & FFE Microfinance earlier this year.
Simon Jackson, Head of Investment at BEF across the Tees Valley, said: “This is another brilliant project that we’re excited to be involved with in the North East and it’s great to work with the clearly passionate and driven team at JD Training Solutions. Its new location will help bring more business into Stockton and with more companies needing a variety of employee training, particularly first aid, we believe that JD Training Solutions will only keep on expanding.”
Grant Peggie, Director at British Business Bank, said: “It’s great to see the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund helping businesses grow in Tees Valley and the very real effect it has on surrounding communities. Innovative and ambitious companies like JD Training Solutions are leading the way in the regional progression and development of the area thanks to NPIF support.”
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.