National training provider Learning Curve Group is set to open the doors to its new Business Academy in Darlington, targeting business and digital skills gaps across the region.

LCG’s Business Academy, which opens to learners next month, will deliver a range of courses across the digital and technical sector including Digital Marketing, Accounting, Business Administration and Software Development.

The programmes will run for 24-25 months and will be delivered in a classroom environment at The Old Exchange, on Barnard Street, Darlington.

The academy is set to welcome in over 100 learners in the first month and will create eight new jobs for local people.

The academy will work with businesses across the region to place graduates into employment when they leave.

Brenda McLeish, CEO of LCG, said: “I am so excited to be opening our brand new business academy in Darlington. The academy will create highly skilled recruits for businesses of the North East, whilst also supporting learners with our high-quality accredited training programmes and apprenticeships.

“As part of keeping learners at the centre of everything we do, we are dedicated to supporting our learners beyond their journey with us at our academy and into employment.

“ As Darlington is now the home of the HM Treasury, which is creating many jobs for the area, it is a great opportunity for people of all ages in the region to gain digital skills which could open up endless opportunities.”

LCG is hosting a free breakfast opening event for employers at academy on the 25th of August starting at 8am. Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, will be there to cut the ribbon

Judith Allen, Director of Academies at LCG, said: “The opening of our Business Academy will give learners in the Tees Valley area an opportunity to enhance their digital skills to be able to gain knowledge and real work experience which employers desire. It is important that we train learners with the skills they need to be able to succeed in the workplace, and there is a current digital skills shortage which we need to tackle.”

LCG is a training and education specialist working with further education providers, employers and learners since 2004, from short-term vocational qualifications to longer-term apprenticeships, including the best way to utilise the Apprenticeship Lev.

It has 16 skills-based academies across England which specialise in Hair and Beauty, Construction, Uniformed Services and Health and Social Care. They are regarded as one of the most successful providers in the country, working with more than 4,500 employers and over 200,000 learners a year.