Pitman Training is named after Sir Isaac Pitman, the pioneer of shorthand writing. Along with his sons, Alfred and Ernest, Isaac developed training businesses across the UK. The training business later evolved into two separate companies: Pitman Training and JHP Training. The company offers over 250 courses and qualifications, across a range of sectors, with all courses marked by external examiners to an ISO 9001 quality standard. The main training sectors include office, secretarial, bookkeeping, web design and marketing. Training is delivered via audio, workbooks and live software. Pitman Training claims to provide training to more than 30,000 people each year and currently holds a pass rate of 98 per cent for their Diploma range. A 2003 survey by the group found that 15 per cent of Britain's working population wanted a career change.
Expansion
There are 57 training centres across the UK and 14 in Ireland, as well as eight international training centres in Spain, Palestine, Romania, Kuwait, Ireland, Nigeria, Cayman Island and Zimbabwe. In 2015, the group announced an expansion into India in partnership with Franchise India, as part of the government's Northern Powerhouse initiative.
Partnerships & Sponsorships
Pitman Training partners with a number of educational bodies, including the BCS, DMI and OCR in the UK. The group has sponsored several awards and events, including the Yorkshire PA of the Year Awards and Bett Asia event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Awards
In October 2014, the group won best Low Budget Campaign of the Year at the Northern Marketing Awards. The winning campaign was ‘Career MOT – Drive Your Future Forward’; a campaign which used iOS, Android and web apps to engage prospects via a UK-wide roadshow. In March 2015, Pitman won the award for In-House Team of the Year at the PR Moment Awards. In June 2015, Pitman Training was a finalist at the HSBC Franchisor of the Year awards, due to their accelerated global expansion. Later in the year, Fran Maclean of Pitman was a finalist in the Olderpreneur Franchisee of the Year award, supported by HSBC Franchisee of the Year. In February 2017, Pitman was recognised in the Executive Education, Training and Development category of the 2017 Super Brands list. The company runs its own annual Super Achievers Awards for its students. Awards include PA of the Year, Working Mum/Dad of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year.
