The founder of Orangebox Training Solutions, Simon Corbett, has marked the fifth birthday of his company by outlining five reasons that have made him most proud.
Since purchasing a second-hand £58 computer off eBay and renting a desk from brother-in-law Jamie Arthur’s Property Webmasters in Hartlepool in April 2016, Simon’s idea to have great people delivering great training has gone from strength to strength.
Based at Queens Meadow Business Park, boasting a rapidly expanding workforce, Orangebox is rolling out courses across the UK to help people back to work – and word has reached Dubai.
What started with leadership & management training, effective communications, first aid and fire safety has now led to the ripple effect and many more courses including its own Football Academy.
During the last 12 months of the pandemic, Orangebox has doubled the size of its team, tripled in office size and is working with a long list of partners.
Chief Executive Officer Simon Corbett’s five key points:
PEOPLE FOCUSED
“This is a massive aspect of our business. We wanted to create a people focused organisation where we have a culture that is different to any other. Where staff, partners, clients and learners all feel valued, respected and enjoy the experience.”
CORRECT GROWTH
“We have gone from me and my computer to 22 office staff and about 30 trainers. We are expanding into new areas and I want to continue to do so without losing the people focus that I talked about. We have high standards. We focus on behaviour and our ethos.”
HELPING PEOPLE
“It was quite sad recently that a member of staff handed in their notice. Callum is only the second person to do this. He was recommended to us by Hartlepool Job Centre. We were asked to take him on a work placement.
“We developed him as a person and gave him the confidence. He has now had an opportunity to move to Manchester – to develop staff and provide opportunities for hundreds of unemployed people to get them into sustainable employment. That is an example that also makes me proud.”
EXPAND BUT NEVER LOSE SIGHT
“You sometimes lose that personal touch. We must ensure this is not the case as we grow into other towns, cities and beyond.
“In 2019 we were asked to go over and deliver our Dynamic Deliveries course to an international client based in Dubai. The reputation of our product began to spread and we now have a number of clients in Dubai and that has led to the possibility of delivery in Thailand.”
OTHER SECTORS
“We want to continue to grow our offer of pre-employment courses, moving into different growth sectors. This will include security, sport and digital.
“Focused on the current economic climate, where unemployment is rising, we want to tap into the fantastic opportunities Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has created – not just on Teesside but the wider area.
“We want to Increase partnerships with colleges and primes, having started to support pre-employment delivery courses when we were approached in 2018.”
The future is Orange.