Acorn Training is a national training provider, founded and rooted in Staffordshire, delivering adult education, employability programmes, apprenticeships, justice services, skills and careers development for the past 16 years.

It has experienced rapid business and financial growth over the past three years including opening new Acorn Training Centres in Hanley, Manchester, Bolton, Leek, and Crewe.

The centres serve as hubs of support where the team delivers vital services.  They go above and beyond by providing additional aids to support including free tea and coffee in all centres, support with paying for travel, walk-in wardrobes for job interviews, in-house learner support for those with neurodiverse needs and signposting to national and local health, money, food and wellbeing services.

It has Invested thousands of pounds into the Hanley Training Centre, which has become the Acorn Training Head Office, spanning three floors including study classrooms, new kitchens, offices, dedicated computer area, enhanced accessibility with a newly installed lift and a bright and professional facade to enhance the aesthetic of its surroundings in the Piccadilly Arcade in Stoke-on-Trent city centre.

Acorn Training has diversified the business into a new justice market and then grown this to a successful new division. This includes an information, advice and guidance service and also supporting returning citizens (ex-offenders) back into the community.

Over the past three years it has supported more than 2,000 individuals to positively enrich their lives through delivering courses to develop skills and knowledge, helping people to find sustainable work, signposting to other wellbeing services, breaking down stereotypes and barriers and providing sustenance.

Acorn Training has been recognised for championing equality, diversity and inclusivity within its work and continues to break down barriers for those from disadvantaged backgrounds, those battling mental and physical health conditions, returning citizens, the LGBTQ+ community, veterans and many more minority groups and underrepresented areas of society in Staffordshire and beyond.

Acorn Training has entered the Growth and Business in the Community categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.