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NC Group and 3M Engineering Apprenticeships Partnership Produces Back-to-Back Award Winners
08/06/26
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Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day 2026: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Engineering
Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day 2026: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Engineering
loraineh8
Jun 232 min read
NC Group and 3M Engineering Apprenticeships Partnership Produces Back-to-Back Award Winners
NC Group and 3M are celebrating back-to-back Apprentice of the Year successes after James Graham won the 2026 title at the Aycliffe Business Park Make Your Mark Awards. Following fellow 3M apprentice Matthew Davis’ 2025 win, James was recognised for his outstanding achievement on NC Group’s Level 3 Science Industry Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship, highlighting the success of engineering apprenticeships in the North East manufacturing sector.
loraineh8
Jun 82 min read
Leadership Skills Bootcamp Success at Harrison Packaging - Manufacturing Leadership Training in the North East
NC Group partnered with Harrison Packaging to deliver a bespoke Leadership Skills Bootcamp designed to strengthen leadership capability and support business growth. Following a comprehensive training audit, a tailored 16-week programme was developed and delivered onsite, enabling participants to apply new skills directly within the workplace. The training combined leadership development with operational improvement techniques, creating immediate and measurable impact across t
loraineh8
Jun 34 min read
Future-Focused – Engineering and Manufacturing Apprenticeships Are Changing, and We Are Ready
NC Group is expanding opportunities for young people through its industry-focused engineering academy, helping employers across Aycliffe Business Park develop the next generation of engineers and maintenance technicians. With apprenticeship reforms placing greater emphasis on 16–24-year-olds, NC Group is ready to deliver flexible, employer-led training that meets the evolving needs of industry.
loraineh8
Jun 23 min read
Growth and Skills Levy 2026 Explained: A Practical Guide to Reform and Leadership Training Alternatives
The 2026 Growth and Skills Levy reforms are changing how employers invest in apprenticeships and workforce training. From flexible apprenticeship units and new funding rules to the removal of key leadership standards, businesses must rethink skills development strategies. In this blog, NC Group explores what the apprenticeship reforms mean for employers, leadership training, funding, and long-term workforce planning.
loraineh8
May 185 min read
Achieving Excellence: Calum Taylor's Journey in the Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Team Leader Apprenticeship
Calum Taylor, Lead Operator, Gestamp - Achieved a Distinction in the Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship with NC Group.
loraineh8
Apr 132 min read
NC Group begins its journey with the Shine Employer Accreditation Programme
NC Group Ltd is delighted to have begun its journey with Shine, an employer accreditation programme delivered by the North East Combined Authority. The initiative recognises organisations that demonstrate a strong commitment to fairness, opportunity and responsible business practices.
loraineh8
Mar 302 min read
Getting To Know You - Brian Corker, Lead Practitioner - Business Interview
Brian Corker, winner of the lifetime achievement award at the 2025 Make Your Mark Awards
loraineh8
Mar 24 min read
Developing Maintenance Technicians at 3M - Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship
NC Group has proudly worked in partnership with 3M for approximately 7 years, delivering industry-led training and engineering apprenticeship programmes aligned to its manufacturing operations.
loraineh8
Feb 123 min read
Developing Leaders at Gestamp with NC Group’s Team Leader Apprenticeships
Paul James and Connor Cockfield of Gestamp, with Julie Gorman, NC Group Apprenticeship Tutor
loraineh8
Feb 92 min read
Targeted Training – Industry Skills
NC Group, based at Aycliffe Business Park, is expanding its reach into the Tees Valley to support growing demand for industry-led training. Established in 2017, the organisation specialises in bespoke engineering and manufacturing training, delivering practical, real-world skills through its state-of-the-art training academy. With an Ofsted Outstanding rating and HNC approval, NC Group continues to invest in facilities, people and partnerships to strengthen regional skills an
loraineh8
Dec 8, 20253 min read
Industry Leaders Choose NC Group for Pearson-Approved HNC in Engineering
North East-based training provider NC Group recently announced it secured formal approval from Pearson, the UK’s leading awarding body, to deliver Level 4 Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) in Engineering, making it one of a select group of independent training providers in the UK with this status. It is now […]
NC Group
Oct 9, 20252 min read
Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship Success Story
Nina’s Laboratory Technician Journey with NC Group & INEOS Compounds Key Takeaways: Nina’s Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship Journey Hands-on experience across analytical and quality control labs Developed technical skills in laboratory testing, analysis, quality control and health and safety Built essential soft skills: teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and time management Supported throughout by the NC Group team […]
NC Group
Sep 8, 20254 min read
Building the future workforce of Aycliffe’s engineering sector
BY MARTIN WALKER As featured in Aycliffe Business Magazine Aycliffe Business Park is home to hundreds of thriving manufacturing and engineering businesses – but with growth comes challenge. One of the most pressing? Developing future leaders who not only understand the shop floor, but can inspire, manage and drive performance in high-pressure environments. That’s where […]
NC Group
Sep 2, 20253 min read
NC Group Secures Pearson Approval to Deliver Higher Education Qualifications
North East-based training provider NC Group has secured formal approval from Pearson, the UK’s leading awarding body, to deliver higher education qualifications, making it one of a select group of fully independent training providers (ITPs) in the UK with this status. Following a rigorous inspection by Pearson and the Joint Council for Qualifications, NC Group was granted permission to deliver Level 4 Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) i
NC Group
Aug 8, 20252 min read
Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day 2025
International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) is a global initiative by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) which promotes the...
NC Group
Aug 8, 20252 min read
NC Group Strengthens Board with Appointment of HR Professional Julie Knight
North East-based apprenticeship and commercial training provider NC Group has announced the appointment of Julie Knight, who joins the...
NC Group
Aug 8, 20252 min read
A night of Celebration
On Thursday, the 5th of June 2025, we welcomed guests to our first-ever Celebration Evening at the Redworth Hall Hotel. The evening was all about recognising the hard work, dedication, and success of our incredible apprentices and sharing that celebration with our valued partners. It was also the perfect moment to celebrate our recent Ofsted Outstanding rating, achieved at our very first full inspection – something we are incredibly proud of. MD Liam Noble, OD Neil mounsey an
NC Group
Aug 8, 20252 min read
Apprentice Forges History: A Key Contribution to St. Andrew’s Church
We’re incredibly proud to share a recent achievement that perfectly highlights the calibre of talent and community spirit we cultivate within our apprenticeship programs. At NC Group, we believe in empowering our apprentices with practical, impactful challenges that not only refine their technical skills but also connect them with the rich heritage of our local […]
NC Group
Jun 16, 20252 min read
NC Group Leadership Teams Up for Charity at Stadium of Light
NC Group Leadership Teams Up for Charity at Stadium of Light On May 22, 2025, a spirited group of over 30 local business leaders, including NC Group’s CEO Lee Childs, Operations Director Neil Mounsey, Engineering Tutor Darren Grainger, and Board Member Stuart Johnson, took to the hallowed turf of Sunderland’s Stadium of Light for a […]
NC Group
May 23, 20252 min read
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