We are a specialist training provider with a passion to inspire and develop people to fulfil their potential and go beyond.  We are driven by this vision to help people learn, develop, grow and succeed.

Established in 1997, we are recognised as a leading training provider delivering high quality apprenticeships, qualifications and consultancy.  We work collaboratively with employers, awarding organisations, professional associations, trade bodies, local FE colleges and HE universities to maintain the highest quality provision available in the UK and globally.

We specialise in delivering a range of HR and L&D apprenticeships, qualifications and training and have been an approved CIPD centre for over 20 years. Our professional trainers have a wealth of experience, being highly practiced in their field and most having held senior positions in a range of organisations spanning the private, public and third sector.

Paul Cadman and Emma Horne (with their Walter Smith employer roles) instigated and drove the development of the joint L&D/HR Trailblazer Employer Group, being instrumental in the creation of the two new Apprenticeship Standards in L&D and completion of the two previously stalled HR Standards.  Crosby were the first provider in the country to begin delivery of the new HR and L&D Standards.

Emma remains Chair of the Trailblazer Employer Group and is leading the development of a Level 7 Senior People Professional Apprenticeship Standard.

Paul was appointed as board member of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) in Spring 2017 and in December 2018 became Chair of the IfATE Quality Assurance Committee.  As such you would go a long way to find greater involvement by your training provider’s leaders in the very heart of Apprenticeships in England.

We have six core values, developed by our own colleagues, which are central to everything we do

We are…

• Passionate about our purpose
• Committed to quality
• Authentic, ethical and accountable (for our behaviours and results)

We…

• Evolve, innovate and learn at pace
• Trust each other and work as a team
• Enjoy what we do, are always positive & have fun

• delivery & and assessment arrangements – Delivery across all of our Apprenticeships has been moved online utilising a wide range of remote learning technologies. Training sessions and Apprenticeship Progress Reviews are all being delivered remotely using our remote learning platform, Microsoft Teams & Webex. We have worked with Awarding Organisations and End Point Assessment Organisations across several of our standards to ensure we are able to utilise mandatory qualifications and EPA flexibilities. Most of the Standards we deliver are operating with the use of an Online  Learning Pathway which enables Apprentices to complete activities, access learning & pastoral resources and have frequent contact with trainers 24/7, who can offer subsequent support as required . Our delivery of Functional Skills has also moved online through the utilisation of our Skills Forward learning platform and remote training sessions. We are working with our Functional Skills Awarding Organisations to utilise remote Invigilation where possible to ensure learners are still able to complete Functional Skills examinations
• expectations of students – All students are expected to maintain regular contact with trainers as stipulated in their Commitment Statement. Any issues that Apprentices are encountering with remote delivery should be passed on to their lead trainer to enable us to support apprentices effectively, prevent delays in progress & engage employer support as neccessary.
• arrangements for students studying courses that require specialist equipment or facilities – Where apprenticeships being studied are craft based, thus still requiring specialist face-to-face training, we are putting in place various measures to ensure this training can still be carried out in a safe way for all parties involved. Delivery of this training is stipulated as one of the exemptions allowed under the current COVID-19 restrictions. Further details of our policies and practices for ensuring safe learning environments for any remaining face to face training can be found in our COVID-19 Policy.
• support for students without devices, connectivity or a suitable environment for learning – We will work with employers and apprentices to identify any issues that they are facing and will provide the necessary training for those requiring it when using any new system
• support for students with SEND – Learners identified as having SEND will be supported where required by our Educations and Learning Support Team to ensure that  their learning and pastoral needs are being met whilst delivery continues online.