A TRAINING firm plans to create jobs and expand internationally as demand rises for its services.

Orangebox Training Solutions hopes to recruit further staff and strengthen operations after domestic work complemented its evolving global presence.

Bosses at the business, which is celebrating its second anniversary, say its workforce will rise to match an expected lift in turnover to more than £350,000 following the expansion of the business’ training provision.

Growing from a single person operation, the company now employs six full-time staff alongside a team of 20 experienced trainers, but founder Simon Corbett, an ex-specialist operations police officer, says the numbers will continue to rise.

Operating from offices on Hartlepool’s Queens Meadow Business Park, the firm began by delivering communication and management training courses.

However, it has since grown to deliver a range of first aid, fire safety, health and safety and fully-funded programmes, supporting more than 7,000 people.

“Training has a stigma attached to it,” said Mr Corbett, “because 75 per cent that is carried out is considered ineffective purely because they’re dreaded by most participants who believe them to be boring and a waste of time.

“I wanted to change this and I’m excited to see the company continue to grow, with further appointments over the next 12 months.”

Over the past two years, Orangebox has delivered training courses to various clients, including Durham County Council, Consett’s Elddis Transport, Newcastle Building Society and Specsavers, as well as schools, doctors’ surgeries and North-East care homes.

It has also been involved with the Government’s sector-based work academy scheme and, with financial support from the Tees Valley Business Compass, the business has expanded overseas, delivering its flagship Dynamic Deliveries course to teachers in the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Corbett said: “We are working with two international schools in Dubai, delivering courses to teachers to help build their confidence when it comes to communicating effectively in situations outside the classroom.

“The aim going forward is to build similar relationships with international schools and academies across Europe.”

However, as well as expanding overseas, the company aims to cement its position in the UK, which has been helped by a management training partnership alongside Engie, in London.