Catch22’s apprenticeship provision has joined Learn Plus Us – an apprenticeship business which is part of the Angus Knight group. Catch22 and Angus Knight already enjoy a strong relationship as part of their joint venture, Jobs 22. This acquisition further strengthens the link between the two organisations.
The Catch22 apprenticeship business is an award-winning approved levy apprenticeship provider with 14 staff operating across England. The business offers apprenticeship programs from Level 2 to Level 5 across business administration, customer service, team leading, operations management, housing and property management, hospitality, and young people and families.
Last year, we were rated a “Good” grade 2 provider by Ofsted and were recognised in the Rate My Apprenticeship Survey as a top 20 training provider nationally.
The acquisition further enhances the Learn Plus Us offering with new courses in hospitality, housing and property, and business services. The business will now have a combined staff of over 45 people supporting over 500 students and partnering with over 275 businesses.
Commenting on the acquisition, Catch22 CEO, Naomi Hulston said:
“Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to train and develop, whilst earning a wage. Through our employability programmes, we have supported hundreds of people of all ages into apprenticeships – for some as a first step into a career, and for others to provide an opportunity to upskill or reskill.
“We were delighted that the apprenticeship provision was rated “Good” by Ofsted last year, and we’re looking forward to seeing it flourish under Angus Knight Group, an organisation that Catch22 already has close links with through our joint venture Jobs 22.
“We know that through being part of the Angus Knight Group, a specialist learning provider, our excellent apprenticeship team will go on to achieve even greater results for learners.”
Catch22 Director of Vocational Training, Chris Stoker-Jones, added:
“This is an incredibly exciting time for our Apprenticeship team. Moving to Learn Plus Us will provide us the opportunity to grow our provision to even greater heights. Achieving the “Good” Ofsted result was only the beginning of the journey to Outstanding, this is the next step to allow us to access greater support for our apprentices, to work within the wider Angus Knight Group and their employability business, Jobs 22, to provide training and development opportunities to more people.”
Angus Knight Group CEO, Nic Fairbank said:
“I would like to welcome the Catch22 apprenticeship team to the Angus Knight Group. We have developed a strong relationship with Catch22 through our Jobs 22 joint venture and am confident of the strong cultural alignment between our two organisations.”
Angus Knight Group UK and Europe CEO, Ayden Sims added:
“It’s been great to see the benefits of our close integration with Catch22 and Learn Plus Us continue to bear fruit and deliver the best possible service for apprentices across the country.
As caution over a UK recession has cooled the growth of vacancies to its lowest rate since February 2021, it’s important that we do all we can to prepare Britain’s workforce for meaningful participation in the future world of work. The labour market is changing rapidly but Learn Plus Us apprentices can be sure of remarkable support in developing their careers.”