Training and apprenticeship specialist acquires competitor as it looks to continue growth

The Educ8 board (L-R) Colin Tucker (Chairman), Timothy Barnett (Sales Director), Grant Santos (CEO), Steve Lewis (CFO)

Educ8 Group has acquired ISA Training Ltd for an undisclosed sum which sees the leading training and apprenticeship provider continue on its ambitious growth plans across Wales and England.

Founded in 2003 by Chairman Colin Tucker, the business is headquartered in Ystrad Mynach and takes over Bridgend-based ISA Training with immediate effect.

In the last financial year, Educ8 had a turnover of £7m and employed 125 staff across England and Wales. Established in 1998, ISA Training employs 60 members of staff and has a direct contract with Welsh Government for the provision of training services worth nearly £2m. ISA Training Ltd will continue to operate as a separate entity under the Educ8 Group Ltd umbrella.

Speaking of the acquisition, Educ8 Chief Executive Officer, Grant Santos, said: “This marks an extremely exciting time for us as we continue to exceed expectations and deliver great results for our clients and partners. The success of our business is down to the hard work of all staff and I know that 2019 will deliver more positivity and growth.”

This is the second acquisition in recent years for Educ8 as Port Talbot-based Network Training Services Ltd was brought into the group in 2015.

Mr Santos continued: “I would like to thank the ISA shareholders for their professionalism during this process as well as thank our existing Educ8 customers for their continued support over the years. This is an exciting acquisition for Educ8 and a key part of our strategic growth plan.”

Educ8 offers employers a series of interlinked opportunities such as Jobs Growth Wales and Apprenticeships Programmes as well as providing a seamless solution to staff recruitment and development requirements across many organisations.