OrangeBox Training Solutions

What OrangeBox Training Solutions does

OrangeBox Training Solutions is a UK-based independent training provider founded in 2016 by Simon Corbett in Hartlepool, operating across two principal service lines. Career Development delivers sector-specific pre-employment training courses (CSCS, CCNSG, IPAF, First Aid, Door Supervisor) to unemployed learners, funded through the Adult Skills Fund, UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and devolved Adult Education Budget contracts held directly or via sub-contract with three combined authorities (Tees Valley, North-East, East Midlands) and nine further education colleges. Professional Development delivers bespoke leadership, management, graduate development, and compliance training to commercial clients including Capgemini, Equans UK & Ireland, TMD Friction, CBL Cable Contractors, Quorn, and Sunderland AFC, with curriculum tailored after a training needs analysis and priced per engagement. Supporting services include Room Hire at the Tranquility House headquarters on Hartlepool Marina, SME and Startup Support, and Business Development Services.

The company differentiates through an employer-led model in which job interviews are guaranteed before training begins, supported by a dedicated aftercare team that follows learners from enrolment through to employment placement. Technology is deliberately non-proprietary: delivery combines in-person training at 17 regional sites, online and virtual platforms adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and partner-college sub-contract arrangements, with no internally developed software platform disclosed. The business has scaled from a £58 second-hand computer to £1M+ turnover, placing 1,300+ learners into employment in the 2024/25 record year with a stated 79% employment rate across combined Orangebox and Workpays funded programme delivery.

Following acquisition by Coniston Peak in October 2025, Orangebox now operates alongside Workpays and WS Training within the BrightPeak national collective, with founder Simon Corbett serving as Chief Revenue Officer and Alex Glasner as CEO of both Orangebox and BrightPeak. The group delivers over £7m of funded programmes annually across North East, North West, East Midlands, and Yorkshire, and has approximately 60 employees post-acquisition. Revenue is generated through government-funded contract delivery (largest stream, paid per learner outcome), commercial bespoke training engagements, and ancillary room hire (£100–£250 per day), with no publicly disclosed course pricing for the core vocational and professional development programmes.

Name

OrangeBox Training Solutions

Legal name

Orangebox Training Solutions

Website

https://orangeboxtraining.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Orangebox Training Solutions is a UK training provider delivering pre-employment vocational courses with guaranteed job interviews, bespoke corporate leadership and management programmes, and professional development training across 17 UK sites, primarily funded by government skills budgets and serving employers such as Capgemini and Equans.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Training and Development Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Career Exploration & Labor Market Readiness (EDAAAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workforce Support Services & Case Management (Coaching, Wraparound) (EDAAAOAK), Custom Corporate IT Training & Upskilling Programs (BPAEANAB)

Keywords

• Vocational training services
• Pre-employment training
• Professional development courses
• Leadership management training
• Government-funded training

Headquarters

HQ city

Hartlepool

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Training Programmes: Orangebox delivers vocational training funded through government schemes including the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), Tees Valley Combined Authority, UKSPF, and UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The company operates as both a direct contract holder and sub-contractor with combined authorities and colleges, delivering programmes worth over £7 million annually.
2. Commercial Professional Development Training: Bespoke leadership, management, and skills training sold directly to employers including Capgemini, Equans, TMD Friction, and Darlington College. Programmes are tailored to client needs and priced accordingly.
3. Room Hire: Training room hire at Tranquility House, Hartlepool Marina, with two room types: Harbour View (12 seats, £100/day) and Marina View (30 seats, £250/day). Prices exclusive of VAT. Also available for networking events (50 seats).
4. Career Development Courses: Pre-employment training courses for unemployed learners, government-funded, with guaranteed employer interviews upon completion. Learners also receive site cards and passes funded by Orangebox.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

OrangeBox Training Solutions is a UK-based training provider delivering pre-employment career development programmes for unemployed individuals (with guaranteed employer interviews) alongside commercial professional development training (leadership, management, compliance, first aid) for organisations. The company also offers training room hire at Tranquility House in Hartlepool, business development services, and SME/startup support, operating across 17 delivery sites in England.

Product overview

Orangebox Training Solutions is a UK-based training provider offering a unified portfolio of vocational and professional development services. The core offering centres on Career Development (pre-employment training with guaranteed interviews) and Professional Development (commercial training including leadership, management, and compliance courses). Supporting services include Room Hire at Tranquility House in Hartlepool, Business Development services, and SME & Startup Support. Training is delivered across multiple sectors including construction, manufacturing, security, warehousing, transport, logistics, and customer service. The company operates as part of BrightPeak following acquisition by Coniston Peak in October 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Career Development Employer-led sector-specific pre-employment training courses designed to help unemployed learners gain qualifications (CSCS, CCNSG, IPAF, First Aid, etc.) and transition into sustainable employment, with guaranteed job interviews upon completion. Funded through Adult Skills Fund (ASF), UKSPF, and combined authorities.
• Professional Development Bespoke leadership and management programmes, tailored graduate schemes, and mandatory compliance courses including First Aid, Fire Safety, Health and Safety, and Food Safety for organisations in the UK and overseas.
• Room Hire Training room hire at Tranquility House, Hartlepool Marina. Three room types: Harbour View (12 seats, £100/day), Marina View (30 seats, £250/day), and Networking Events space (50 seats, £250/day). Prices exclusive of VAT. Available for training sessions, meetings, conferences, and networking events.
• Business Development Services Expert business development support including growth opportunity identification, tailored growth strategies, coaching and mentoring, and training programmes for organisations.
• SME & Startup Support Tailored guidance and resources for entrepreneurs and small to medium enterprises including strategic planning, operational support, PR and marketing access, and skill development.
• Business Essentials Courses Comprehensive range of professional courses including Leadership & Management, Effective Communication, Dynamic Deliveries, Team Development, Conflict Management, Resilience Training, and Change Management.
• First Aid Training Statutory first aid qualifications including Youth Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, First Aid at Work, Paediatric First Aid, Basic Life Support and AED, and Emergency First Aid courses.
• Mental Health First Aid Mental health training courses including Youth Mental Health First Aid (1-day) and Mental Health First Aid (2-day) for professionals working with young people and adults.
• Orangebox Recruitment Job placement services providing skills, qualifications, and confidence to support individuals building careers, with guaranteed interviews upon course completion.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,300+ learners guided into employment in single record-breaking year (2024/25)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• BrightPeakflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026BrightPeak is a newly formed national collective of specialist training providers united by a shared mission to support learners and employers to grow, succeed and thrive. The group was formed following Coniston Peak's strategic acquisition of WS Training, Orangebox, and the earlier acquisition of Workpays. Together, these three established brands create a formidable national footprint dedicated to social mobility and vocational excellence.
• WorkpayscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkpays is a Midlands-based training provider acquired by Coniston Peak in 2021. Orangebox and Workpays operate as sister companies under the BrightPeak collective, jointly delivering over £7m of funded programmes. The companies maximise opportunities together, with Orangebox bringing its North-East expertise and Workpays contributing its 12 centres in the Midlands. Statistics show 79% of combined learners secure employment with local employers.
• WS TrainingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWS Training is a Suffolk-based training provider acquired by Coniston Peak alongside Orangebox. Together with Workpays and Orangebox, WS Training forms the BrightPeak collective of specialist training providers dedicated to social mobility and vocational excellence.
• NCFEcoreTechnology or IntegrationNCFE is a leading UK awarding organisation providing accreditation for Orangebox's training programmes. Orangebox has consistently achieved direct claims status for new qualifications and maintains it year-on-year across their portfolio. NCFE regards Orangebox as a low risk centre. NCFE's Aspiration Awards recognised Orangebox as a finalist for Centre of the Year in 2025.
• Education Training CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation Training Collective (ETC) formed a strategic partnership with Orangebox to deliver high quality warehousing and storage programmes to residents within the Tees Valley. Funded by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority as part of its devolved Adult Education Budget. Orangebox adapted delivery for online platforms during pandemic, and learners receive a guaranteed interview upon programme completion.
• Darlington CollegecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOrangebox completed a successful leadership management training programme for Darlington College staff, marking the latest in a series of strategic partnerships. The partnership includes sub-contract arrangements delivering Adult Skills Fund (ASF) programmes and bespoke training including leadership management, effective communication, mental health, suicide awareness, first aid, and IOSH training programmes. David Gartland, CEO and Principal, praised Orangebox as one of the country's leading independent training providers.
• Tees Valley Combined AuthoritycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTees Valley Combined Authority provides government funding through the Adult Skills Budget and UKSPF for Orangebox's training programmes. Orangebox won contracts with TVCA to deliver employment-focused vocational training. The Expertise Programme, delivered by Orangebox on behalf of TVCA and UKSPF, supports businesses in the Tees Valley region. Ben Houchen, Mayor of Tees Valley, has publicly endorsed Orangebox's work.
• North-East Combined AuthoritycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOrangebox won contracts with the North-East Combined Authority to deliver vocational training programmes, expanding their reach in the North-East region alongside existing partnerships with TVCA.
• East Midlands County Combined AuthoritycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOrangebox recently won contracts with the East Midlands County Combined Authority, marking expansion into the Midlands region as part of broader growth strategy.
• South Tyneside CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrangebox has been a trusted partner of South Tyneside Works for a number of years, consistently setting the bar high with quality assurance mechanisms. Provides well-constructed and meticulous quality assurance documentation demonstrating commitment to high-quality provision to learners.
• ACTTnowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACTTnow delivers the CCNSG Safety Passport training in partnership with Orangebox, supporting learners who come through Orangebox's doors with essential safety knowledge. Partnership supports those looking to increase their knowledge and personal development.
• TradetechsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTradetechs provides specialised training resources and funding for Orangebox candidates' IPAF 3a and 3b certifications as part of the partnership with CBL Cable Contractors. This three-way collaboration creates real employment opportunities in the electrotechnical industry.
• Stockton Riverside CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSub-contract partnership for delivering vocational training programmes.
• The City of Liverpool CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSub-contract partnership for delivering vocational training programmes.
• Derwentside CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSub-contract partnership for delivering vocational training programmes.
• Hartlepool CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSub-contract partnership for delivering vocational training programmes.
• Bishop Auckland CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSub-contract partnership for delivering vocational training programmes.
• Durham New CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSub-contract partnership for delivering vocational training programmes.
• Middlesbrough CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSub-contract partnership for delivering vocational training programmes. Also partners with Middlesbrough College for apprenticeship delivery (e.g., Virasel Valve Solutions maintenance apprentice).
• Sunderland CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSub-contract partnership for delivering vocational training programmes.
• Hartlepool Borough CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal council partnership for workforce development and training initiatives. Partnered with Orangebox for Hartlepool Heroes Awards event.
• Lincolnshire CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal council partnership for workforce development and training delivery.
• Cheshire West and Chester CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal council partnership for workforce development and training delivery.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Remit Training: UK-based training provider specialising in vocational courses, apprenticeships, and commercial training. Directly comparable to Orangebox as a regional sub-contractor and direct contract holder for combined-authority funded programmes.
• Lifetime Training: UK-based vocational training and apprenticeship provider delivering funded programmes across multiple sectors. Directly comparable to Orangebox as a sub-contractor and direct contract holder for government-funded skills programmes with a similar employer-upskilling focus.
• PeoplePlus: UK employment and training specialist operating across welfare-to-work, skills, and apprenticeships. Comparable to Orangebox in offering pre-employment training with employer links and securing devolved Adult Education Budget contracts.
• Babington: UK training and apprenticeship provider offering vocational qualifications and career development programmes. Comparable to Orangebox in delivering government-funded pre-employment training and apprenticeship pathways across multiple sectors.
• Seetec: Major UK employability and skills training provider delivering government-funded programmes for unemployed learners into work. Highly comparable to Orangebox's career development offering and Combined Authority contracts across multiple regions.
• Workpays: Midlands-based training provider and direct sister company under the BrightPeak collective. Operates 12 centres delivering funded programmes, with combined 79% employment placement rate with Orangebox, making it the closest operational peer.
• WS Training: Suffolk-based training provider acquired by Coniston Peak alongside Orangebox to form BrightPeak. Comparable as a fellow independent vocational training provider with similar funding models and learner demographics.

Broad incumbents

• Ingeus: Larger UK employability and skills services provider operating across welfare-to-work and skills programmes. Overlaps with Orangebox on government-funded pre-employment training but at materially greater scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Kaplan UK: Established UK training and professional development provider with apprenticeships and commercial training. Comparable to Orangebox's Professional Development offering, though Kaplan operates at much larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Reed: Major UK recruitment and training group combining job placement with vocational courses. Comparable to Orangebox on the recruitment-career-development nexus, though Reed operates at substantially larger scale and broader geographic reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/orangebox_train
• Facebookfacebook.com/orangeboxtraining
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/orangebox-training-solutions-ltd./mycompany/?viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/orangebox_training

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about OrangeBox Training Solutions