As we celebrate the close of another successful academic year, HIT Training Ltd (HIT) and its training divisions – HIT Training, Connect2Care and EDN – are proud to reflect on our significant achievements, particularly as we mark our first year as an employee-owned trust (EOT). This milestone not only differentiates us from other training providers but also reinforces our commitment to putting people first – both our learners and our staff.

Over the past year, we have navigated various challenges that have impacted the broader sectors in which we operate, while also embracing the new initiatives outlined by the Labour government in the recent King’s Speech. Unlike many of our competitors, which are privately owned or driven by venture capital interests, HIT’s transition to an employee-owned model has ensured that our focus remains firmly on quality, integrity and long-term sustainability, rather than short-term profit.

In contrast to the uncertainty often faced by investor-backed training providers – who regularly undergo cycles of ownership changes and financial restructuring – HIT’s employee ownership model provides a stable, mission-driven approach. Our first year under employee ownership has already brought many tangible successes to us and our stakeholders, including:

  • A 10% increase in our overall Qualification Achievement Rate
  • Some of the best Functional Skills completion rates in the Independent Training Provider (ITP) sector
  • A 98.7% achievement rate for apprentices who reach End Point Assessment
  • Winning Best Training Provider at the Apprenticeship Guide Awards
  • Winning Apprenticeship Provider of the Year at the British Training Awards
  • Recognition for our staff development programmes with a Princess Royal Training Award

In recognition of these successes and as part of our commitment to our staff, we are delighted to have paid our first tax-free bonus to all employees – a further tangible benefit of our employee-owned status. This bonus is just one of the many ways we are recognising the efforts of our people, who are at the heart of everything we do.

As we look forward to the new academic year, our focus will remain on delivering high-quality training that meets the needs of both employers and learners. We will continue to innovate, adapt and most importantly, support our community, ensuring that HIT Training, Connect2Care and EDN remain trusted and stable partners in the Further Education sector.

By staying true to our values and embracing the advantages of employee ownership, we are not just surviving the challenges faced within further education – we are thriving and we look forward to sharing our continued success in the year ahead.