Published: Fast Growth 50 supplement – Western Mail
ACT was established in 1988 and has since become Wales’ leading training provider offering fully funded work-based qualifications for learners aged 16 upwards on a range of subjects and career areas.
The company was set up by Managing Director Andrew Cooksley who’s mission has been to make a positive difference to people’s lives by providing outstanding learning opportunities.
Andrew Cooksley said: “ACT has grown immensely since its humble beginnings. We now have an expansive range of programmes available to learners looking to further their self-development through vocational means, whether they want to get into employment after leaving school, reach their full potential in their current role or aspire to progress elsewhere. Last year over 6,500 people decided to develop their skills with ACT.”
There is something for everyone at ACT; school leavers looking for a credible alternative to college, those who are unemployed as well as people already in employment who are looking to improve their job prospects by upskilling through Apprenticeships/Higher Apprenticeships which they can carry out at work.
To deliver a wide range of vocational courses ACT has five centres across Wales where learners go to learn new skills and improve their career prospects. The centres are located in Cardiff (two locations), Caerphilly, Bridgend and Wrexham. ACT also has an outdoor activity centre, Ynys Hywel located in the Sirhowy Valley Country Park between Ystrad Mynach and Caerphilly which learners use to develop confidence and motivation.
In addition to ACT’s training options the company also runs Ocean Park Academy based in Cardiff which offers an alternative to young people aged 14 upwards who have had difficulty engaging in mainstream education. Due to a variety of reason many young people no longer attend school on a full time basis. This might be due to disruptive behaviour, truancy or school phobia. ACT believe that young people who have become disengaged with education are still entitled to learn and Ocean Park Academy provides them with an opportunity to do so.
Learners who choose to learn with ACT benefit from the company in many ways. Through Welsh Government funding many qualifications at ACT are free to learners and employers. The company does not have a specific registration period meaning that learners can sign up on their chosen route at any time in the year. ACT have also built and developed strong working relationships with quality employers across Wales. Therefore, learners who have chosen to carry out an Apprenticeship through ACT will have the opportunity to get paid to learn at well respected organisations such as Barclays, Legal & General, Cardiff University, Arriva and the National Autistic Society Cymru to name but a few.
Whether you are an employer looking to boost your workforce or a potential learner looking to reach your potential we would love to hear from you. Give us a call on 02920 464727 or visit our website www.acttraining.org.uk
