NPIF loan helps training provider launch new facility
Work-based learning provider Evolve Military College has launched a brand-new training centre in Bury after receiving a £95,000 investment from NPIF – BFS & MSIF Microfinance, a product managed by GC Business Finance & MSIF and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).
Launched in 2016, the firm offers training for young people prior to joining the armed forces. Acting as a government funded supplementary education provider, Evolve provides free courses lasting up to 26 weeks to young people aged between 16 and 24. These include English and maths, emotional wellbeing, physical training and military knowledge. For younger students, the firm also offers full-time and part-time courses to lay the foundations for life and employment.
The new centre, situated at Link House in Bury, comprises a completely refurbished facility with classrooms and exercise areas, as well as state of the art learning technology. It has capacity for up to 60 learners, bringing the total capacity across its Bury and Burnley sites to nearly 140.
The centre was officially opened earlier in the month at a prestigious launch event, attended by representatives from Navy, Army and Air Force recruiting centres as well as senior armed forces veterans and youth service teams. Visitors were given a tour of the facility, a presentation of the benefits of the college, and several students gave a heartfelt testimonial of how it has turned their lives around. The highlight of the day was a graduation parade of students completing the course this month before starting their careers at Army Foundation College (AFC) Harrogate. The centre was then officially opened by The Worshipful the Mayor Councillor Trevor Holt.
Evolve has also achieved certification to deliver training for the Duke of Edinburgh award, as well as educational courses for the unemployed and army veterans.
Andrew Emmett, managing director at Evolve Military College said: “We are extremely excited to be able to make our course available to more young people in Bury. The students who come through our doors often need guidance to push them in the right direction and to channel their energy in a positive way. They arrive as young kids but complete the course as highly focused young men and women with a real sense of self-worth and pride in themselves and their community.”
“We’d like to express our gratitude to the team at GC Business Finance and NPIF who have helped us navigate the process, which has led to the delivery of this incredible new learning facility.”
The Worshipful, the Mayor Councillor Trevor Holt, said: “It was a joy to be involved in the event at Evolve Military College’s wonderful facility at Link House. I was very interested to hear at first hand the progress that the young people had made since starting the course prior to joining the armed forces. The investment provided by the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund has been used to greatly benefit the young people of Bury. I had a very enjoyable and informative day and look forward to hearing more about the project”.
Simon Truby, senior business loan manager at GC Business Finance said: “It’s incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact this funding has had; not only on the business, but on the young students that visit this facility to learn and grow. We are proud of what Andrew and his team have achieved in the short time we’ve been working together, and we hope to see Evolve continue to make a difference in its community.”
Sue Barnard, senior manager at British Business Bank, said: “It is good to see the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund supporting businesses that strengthen communities in the North. NPIF backs many growing companies, and it is extra sweet when they make it their goal to give back to the community. We wish everyone at Evolve good luck on the next stage of their growth journey.”
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.
