Staffordshire-based Acorn Training has invested £348,000 in a flagship hub in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre.

Spanning three floors and four units in Piccadilly Arcade, Hanley, it serves as Acorn Training’s national headquarters and a beacon of regeneration in the high street.

The business delivers adult education, apprenticeships, employability programmes, justice services and careers development. The investment in the heart of Hanley brings opportunities to the high street, providing accessible learning and employment opportunities for the local community.

The centre has modern classrooms, a fully equipped IT suite, kitchens with free tea and coffee, corporate offices and a bright, clean frontage designed to help revitalise the look and feel of Piccadilly Arcade.

Accessibility has been a priority, with the installation of a new lift ensuring the centre is inclusive and welcoming to all.

This physical transformation is just the foundation of the impact Acorn Training is making on the high street. The business approach ensures its services are holistic and person-centred, tailored to meet the complex needs of the community and helping the hardest hit in society.

Learners are welcomed with free hot drinks and lunches and many are supported with travel costs to ensure they can attend courses consistently. A walk-in wardrobe provides suitable clothing for upcoming job interviews, helping boost confidence and making sure no one is held back by financial barriers.

There is dedicated in-house support for those with neurodiverse needs, as well as ongoing community signposting to vital services such as health care, food banks, housing advice and mental health support.

The adult training courses delivered from the Hanley centre are carefully aligned with both community needs and local labour market demand. From Retail and Customer Service to Warehousing, IT, and English for Speakers of Other Languages, Acorn Training equips people with practical, job-ready skills that open doors to sustainable employment. These courses are available both online and in person, allowing for flexible and inclusive learning.

The centre works closely with employers to fill live job vacancies, hosting jobs fair and networking events from the centre.

Acorn Training is committed to supporting those who are furthest from the job market, individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, individuals with mental and physical health challenges, ex-offenders, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community and ethnic minority groups. This focus on inclusion and breaking down barriers has not only earned Acorn Training recognition for its work in equality and diversity but has made a tangible difference to the lives of thousands of individuals in Staffordshire.

The Hanley centre also supports participants on the Department for Work and Pensions RESTART Scheme, supporting individuals who have been out of work for extended periods by helping them to boost confidence, build CVs, develop interview techniques, upskill and secure sustainable employment.

Acorn Training has entered the High Street Impact category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.