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 comes in.
Since launching in 2017, NC Group has become a trusted partner in workforce development – offering apprenticeships and leadership training tailored specifically to the needs of engineering and manufacturing businesses.
With an Ofsted Outstanding rating and a people-first approach, NC Group is setting the standard for industry-led skills development.
Their programmes aren’t just theoretical – they’re hands-on, real-world and delivered by professionals who’ve spent years on the tools and in the industry.
“We made the decision right from the start to be very specific in what we do,” explains managing director Liam Noble.
“Our USP is delivering exclusively to the engineering and manufacturing sectors – which are obviously huge on Aycliffe Business Park, and vital to the region’s economic future.
“That specialism was recognised in our most recent Ofsted inspection, and it’s what sets us apart from many other training providers.”
Founded by Ian Nelson and Lee Childs – both of whom spent time in industry and education – NC Group was born out of frustration at the dilution of quality in generic training provision.
They saw the opportunity to create something different: a training provider that truly understood the needs of engineering firms and could work hand-in-hand with employers to support both technical and leadership development.
And they’ve stayed true to those roots.
Even when delivering programmes such as Business Administration, NC Group and its 28-strong team ensures the content is relevant to engineering environments, with training delivered both on-site as well as within the NC Training Academy at Parson’s Court.
“We don’t just deliver off-the-shelf leadership courses,” says operations manager Darren Tate.
“We build every programme around the individual business – using their values, their systems, their goals. No two courses are the same.”
That tailored approach applies across the board – from the apprenticeships they offer in engineering, manufacturing, team leading and health & safety, to their bespoke leadership training.
With a substantial portfolio of current learners and client employers – 70% of which are based on Aycliffe Business Park – the group has firmly embedded itself into the local ecosystem.
And with future developing leaders programmes in the pipeline, NC Group’s role is only growing.
Leadership development, they argue, is no longer a ‘nice to have’ – it’s essential. “In today’s fast-paced shopfloor environments, strong leadership isn’t just about knowing the job,” says Liam.
“Supervisors need to make decisions under pressure, manage teams, resolve conflict and support continuous improvement. Without the right training, it’s easy to see why some newly promoted leaders can struggle.”
That’s why NC Group places such emphasis on leadership development for technical staff – recognising that engineers and technicians often find themselves in management roles without ever being taught how to lead people.
And that training is delivered by people who’ve lived it. From retired professionals like Brian Corker to industry veterans like John Bayne (formerly of 3M), the trainers bring a wealth of practical experience that learners respect and respond to.
“Our staff live for teaching,” says Darren. “The learners love them – because they speak their language, understand the pressures they face, and care about their development.”
This year’s NC Group awards night, which celebrated learner achievements in front of clients, employers and stakeholders, was a perfect example of the group’s community ethos.
“We’re trying to do what NC set out to do from day one – support local businesses and the local community by training future engineers,” says Liam.
“We want to play more than our part in the fantastic ecosystem that exists on Aycliffe Business Park.”
That commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed. Ofsted highlighted NC Group’s deep employer relationships as a major strength – and employers themselves clearly value the support, flexibility and results.
“Apprenticeships once had a bad name,” admits Darren.
“But that’s changing – and we’re proud to be part of that shift. We’re trying to change the narrative and deliver real value, both for learners and for the businesses that invest in them.”
For Liam, the goal remains clear: “We’ll continue to grow – as long as we can continue to deliver the top-level service people expect from NC Group.”
To find out more about our Ofsted Outstanding Apprenticeships and commercial courses, call 01388 737121 or email training@ncgroupltd.co.uk.