Ambitious plans to help more apprentices

The new owners of a training and apprenticeship provider have announced ambitious plans to triple the number of learners it supports into careers.

TACS – Training Assessment and Consultancy DServices – which is based at Novus Business Centre in Peterlee, was launched 14 years ago to support the manufacturing and engineering sectors and grew to support around 60 apprentices a year working with employers across the region.

In December, it was bought out by Neil Armstrong and son-in-law Daniel Cooper – with the support of existing employees – and now aims to support nearly 200 apprentices a year and take on four new staff.

Daniel said: “The buyout of TACS was opportune really. It was completed in December and now we’ve got to grips with the business, we have mapped out how we want it to grow over the coming years.

“Our future plans include initially tripling the number of apprentices we have on our books, from 60 to around 180, and strengthening our team with at least four new people from their respective industries, which we can then train to be trainers.

He added: “We are hugely passionate about what we do and want to position TACS at the heart of our clients’ growth plans.

“We will achieve these plans whilst maintaining quality of education and positive destinations for our apprentices, despite the challenges that the coronavirus pandemic has presented.”

Expansion has already started with the appointment of three new members of staff and the internal promotion of Phillipa Walker to manage support services.