# Pitman Training Group

Pitman Training Group, Limited, is a private limited company based in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom. The company provides training and educational services, offering both online and paper-based tests for various educational qualifications. Established in 1837, Pitman Training has its roots in the invention of shorthand by Sir Isaac Pitman.

## History

In 1837, Pitman Training’s founder, Sir Isaac Pitman, invented shorthand writing and published his system in a pamphlet titled Stenographic Sound-Hand.
Less than a decade later, in 1843, Pitman established the Phonetic Institute in Bath, which served as both a publishing house and a marketing centre. His shorthand system gained prominence when he accurately transcribed a speech by Richard Cobden against the Corn Laws. That year, the UK Parliament adopted Pitman's shorthand system for preparing Hansard, the official transcripts of parliamentary records.
Pitman's Metropolitan College was established in 1870, offering a curriculum that included office procedures, accounting, law, shorthand, and typing.
In 1886, Isaac Pitman formed Isaac Pitman and Sons (later Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons) with his sons Alfred and Ernest, which became a significant educational publisher and training business.
During World War I, Pitman expanded its operations to meet the increased demand for typing and bookkeeping skills, opening a centre in Croydon in 1914
In 1955, Pitman Training became the most extensive training network in the United Kingdom.
Much later, in 1992, the company established its franchise operations, opening four new Pitman Training Centres. In that same year, it received its British Franchise Association (BFA) membership.
On 30 November 2018, EdTech company LaunchLife International Inc. (LLI) acquired Pitman Training Group, expanding its education franchise network.
In 2019, Pitman Training introduced courses and programmes to enhance digital skills, responding to evolving workforce needs.
Then, in 2021, Pitman Training announced its commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, adopting sustainable practices across its training centres.
In 2023, the company launched a scholarship programme to support underprivileged students, providing financial aid and resources.

### Training Offerings

Pitman Training offers over 250 courses and qualifications across various sectors, all marked by external examiners to an ISO 9001 quality standard.
* Office Skills
* Secretarial Training
* Bookkeeping
* Web design
* Marketing
Training is delivered at over 65 UK, Ireland, and international centres.

### Partnerships & Accreditations

Pitman Training has partnered with several educational bodies, including:
* AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians)
* BCS (British Computer Society)
* Digital Marketing Institute|DMI (Digital Marketing Institute)
* City and Guilds (City and Guilds)
In 2020, Pitman Training partnered with Amazon's Career Choice program, which aims to upskill Amazon employees interested in advancing their careers.

## Awards and recognition

Pitman Training has received numerous awards and recognitions:
* Best Low Budget Campaign of the Year at the Northern Marketing Awards (2014)
* In-House Team of the Year (North) at the PR Moment Awards (2015)
* Finalist at the HSBC Franchisor of the Year Awards (2015)
* Recognised in the Executive Education, Training and Development category of the 2017 Super Brands list
* Franchise of the Year, Service Provider in the Irish Franchise Awards (2018)
* Best Franchise Marketing Support in the Best Franchise Awards (2018–2022)
* Best Education Franchise in the Best Franchise Awards (2019)
* Franchisor of the Year and Best Franchisee Training & Support in the Best Franchise Awards (2020)
* Best Online Training Platform from the Corporate Livewire Innovation & Excellence Awards (2018)
* Best E-Learning Platform from the Corporate Livewire Innovation & Excellence Awards (2019)
* Best Vocational Training Provider from the Corporate Livewire Innovation & Excellence Awards (2020)
* Excellence in Online Learning at the Global Education Awards (2023)
* Recognised as a Superbrand in the UK by Superbrands UK in Education, Training, and Development (2018–2022)
The company also runs its annual Super Achievers Awards for its students, including categories such as PA of the Year, Working Mum/Dad of the Year, and Entrepreneur of the Year.