A North-East education innovator has opened its third military skill centre in just two years.

Bishop Auckland-based Learning Curve Group’s (LCG) Sheffield facility will directly benefit Britain’s armed forces by giving realistic basic training to those looking for careers in the Army, Royal Navy and RAF.

Hundreds have already successfully passed through its training sites in Leeds and Wakefield, gaining the physical and mental strength and preparation to pass military selection processes.

Courses are also geared towards readiness for any of the uniformed services, such as police and fire brigade, or for people seeking a fresh personal challenge.

The centres add to LCG’s diverse range of education provision which includes the delivery of £20m of Adult Skills Budget provision to 50,000 learners via 39 college partnerships.

LCG, England’s largest education subcontractor partner, also works with employers to provide provision to staff to gain qualifications. Programmes include apprenticeships, NVQs, and flexible distance learning.

Last month it acquired Leeds-based Learning at Work, the country’s fastest growing specialist education publisher whose paper and online learning materials are used by more than 100 colleges and private training providers.

As well as its Military Skill Centres, the firm has three Learning Curve Skill Centres in Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Bishop Auckland which provide mainly construction-based vocational training.

In the past year LCG has almost doubled turnover and more than doubled its learners.