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History
Firebrand Training: Accelerating thousands of students to certification
Firebrand is the leader in Accelerated Learning, and has grown to become a global business - with training centres around the world. Since its inception in 2001 the company has grown at an incredible rate; from start-up to an £20m business. Exactly 134561 students have now gained IT and project management certification through our unique Accelerated Learning methodology.
2023
In 2023, we became one of the few companies in the world to be named a Microsoft Cloud Partner due to the quality of our training services across Data, AI, Business Applications, and more; we were also appointed the official provider of Cyber Crime Training for police officers and staff throughout the UK by NPCC, the UK's National Cyber Crime Programme, and partnered with FrontFoot Life to support the transition of serving military, vets, and their families into civilian roles.
We also won numerous awards, from the PECB Titanium Partner of the Year to being named one of the Top 20 IT & Technical Training Companies in the World for the 13th year in a row.
Finally, in the winter, we were thrilled to open a new training location in Frankfurt, Germany to accommodate our learners.
What a fantastic year!
2022
In 2022, we were delighted to join the BPP Education Group. As our Co-CEO, Rob Chapman wrote at the time, "We could not think of a better partnership; their focus on a professional education with the resources to fuel our growth is a perfect fit." Read the full announcement.
2021
In 2021, we celebrated our 20th anniversary!
Later that year, we were selected as part of WorldSkills UK’s Centre of Excellence; we are the only Independent Training Provider (ITP) specialised on digital to be a part of the programme.
2020
2020 has been a year of reprioritisation, innovation and most of all, diversification. The global pandemic hit Firebrand hard, but thanks to the hard work and dedication of all our staff we have pulled through and are now in a position to deliver our unique brand of accelerated training to even more people than before!
The creation of OIL
Online Instructor-Led Training better known as “OIL” was born out of necessity when the national lockdown closed the Firebrand Training centre back in March. We were able to respond and adapt quickly to the lockdown and create an online learning platform which allowed us to offer customers accelerated training from the comfort of their own home.
Awards and Accolades
Firebrand has a great reputation for delivering the highest quality training at twice the speed of traditional training. In 2020 several organisations and publications recognised this quality by honouring Firebrand with awards, in 2020 we received the following:
- Top 20 IT training companies in the world from Training Industry
- PECB Reseller of the year for 2020
- EC-Council ATC circle of excellence award
Free Training for Life (FTFL)
Our annual popular Free Training For Life (FTFL) competition was won by Scott Jackson! By winning, Scott will be able to join any course, at any time with Firebrand Training, and get certified for free for the rest of his life!
The competition is running again now, and we are excited to announce our next winner in July!
New Partnership with AWS
We have an ever-growing list of official learning partners, and in 2020 we added Amazon Web Services to that list! We have a number of AWS courses available on the website, and are excited and honoured to be partners with a powerhouse like AWS.
Apprenticeships
Firebrand Apprenticeships continued to grow and prosper despite the pandemic, our clients such as BT and Lloyds continued to send their apprentices to us to receive the highest quality training.
Firebrand Apprenticeships had the pleasure of hosting Her Majesty’s Ofsted Inspectors in October to monitor how we have continued to deliver our range of Software, Cyber Security, Data, Networking and Business Analysis Apprenticeships effectively.
The Inspectors observed and commended Firebrand for continuing to support employers to induct, enrol, progress and achieve apprentices throughout a difficult 2020 and maintain their market-leading distinction rates.
Sprint
Towards the end of 2020 we launched our Firebrand Sprint platform, where we host weekly webinars on a range of topics, from introductions to our accelerated courses, to fully-fledged courses culminating in actual certification exams. Sprint continues to grow and develop and we are excited to see where it will go!
2019
Firebrand has experienced another year of fast, sustained growth in 2019. Not only have we expanded our offerings, but our commitment to quality has seen widespread industry recognition.
In July, we’ve been awarded the Fair Train Work Experience Quality Standard at Gold, the highest level. Fair Train is the UK’s leading expert in quality assurance of all forms of work-based learning.
For the 10th consecutive time, Firebrand has been named amongst the Top 20 IT Training Companies of the year by Training Industry.
As a training partner, Firebrand have been awarded the prestigious EC-Council ATC Circle of Excellence Award for 2018/19 as recognition for our contributions to the development of the cybersecurity workforce in the UK market, as well as the PECB UK and Ireland Reseller of the Year.
Firebrand Apprenticeships have also experienced unprecedented expansion.
In September, Ben Hansford joined the Apprenticeships team as Managing Director, bringing a wealth of experience from his roles at the ESFA, People Plus and as a consultant working with major employers on their apprenticeship programmes.
Our Apprenticeships division underwent its first full Ofsted inspection in October. We achieved a Grade 2, making us a Good provider – the first digital provider to achieve this rating under the new inspection criteria.
Overall, more than 550 new apprentices started qualifications with Firebrand in 2019, including several new large employers beginning to expand and upskill their digital workforces.
Finally, we’re happy to announce the winner of our Free Training for Life competition 2019 - Arjan Op ‘t Hof, Senior Engineer Windows at Solvinity!
2018
In January, Firebrand announced an official partnership with ISACA. As an Accredited Training Organisation (ATO), Firebrand’s students are now able to sit official ISACA exams during their accelerated training at European training centres.
For the second year running, Firebrand was awarded a Platinum Partnership with CompTIA. This provides students with access to the most recent CompTIA curriculums and exams.
Firebrand Apprenticeships was named Digital Apprenticeship Provider of the Year 2018 at the first AAC Apprenticeship Awards, acknowledging Firebrand’s delivery of the highest level of digital apprenticeship programmes.
Firebrand Apprenticeships also achieved the matrix Standard, the international quality standard for organisations that deliver information, advice and guidance (IAG). This recognised Firebrand’s commitment to providing the highest quality of careers advice and IAG services.
In 2018, Firebrand introduced the SAS Data Analyst programme, expanding its portfolio of over 50 customisable Apprenticeship programmes.
Firebrand announced Dean Blake as the winner of Free Training For Life competition 2017/18. Dean now has unlimited access to a portfolio of over 700 accelerated courses from industry-leading vendors including Microsoft, EC-Council, CompTIA, ISACA, Cisco, The Open Group, AXELOS and many more.
2017
Firebrand continued to expand its product portfolio of accelerated training, welcoming a number of new partners and vendors, including IAPP, PSI and NotSoSecure. Firebrand now offers over 600 accelerated training courses.
Firebrand Apprenticeships grew its programme portfolio, launching 30 new customisable programmes and establishing itself as a Prime provider of government-approved Digital Apprenticeship Standards. New apprenticeship programmes include Data Analyst, Software Tester, Business Analyst, and Cisco Apprenticeships.
In May, Firebrand featured on BBC Breakfast News, providing an exclusive insight into how accelerated training is used to up-skill non-technical police officers to become cyber security investigators.
Firebrand's continued commitment to industry-leading accelerated training and customer satisfaction has led to yet more awards. In 2017, Firebrand broke records, becoming the only company to win EC-Council's Accredited Training Centre of the Year Award for 9 consecutive years and named by TrainingIndustry.com as in the Top 20 IT Training Companies in the World for 8 consecutive years.
Firebrand also picked up PECB UK reseller of the Year 2017 for the first time, while Firebrand instructor, Dave Petts, picked up a Cisco Instructor Excellence Award.
2017 was a successful year for Firebrand Apprenticeships, firmly planting its presence and expertise in the Apprenticeships industry. Firebrand ranked as a runner-up at the CompTIA Apprenticeship Partner of the Year Awards and celebrated another important milestone with the UK's first Software Developer apprentice graduating with distinction through Firebrand.
The ever-popular Free Training For Life competition launched for a 5th time after Jennifer Hamling-Hills was announced as the latest winner. Beating more than 14,000 entrants, Jennifer is taking full advantage of the opportunity. Within 12 months of her win, Jennifer had already attended five accelerated courses.
Firebrand introduced a new initiative named 'Who Cares Wins', where Firebrand employees are encouraged to help a cause in their community. From hair cutting for cancer to a charity cycle from Wyboston Lakes to London, Firebrand employees approached this initiative with a number of creative ideas.
2016
Firebrand Apprenticeships expanded, launching the UK's first ever accelerated Cyber Security standards, which employers can take advantage of through government-funding schemes. The first cohort is already running! Firebrand Apprenticeships continues to grow their portfolio with launches of bespoke Microsoft Azure programmes.
Firebrand pushed industry boundaries this year with four brand new product lines. Azure Academy, the Firebrand Passport program and Firebrand Sprint, were all hugely successful in their debut year and are on-track to become integral to Firebrand in future years.
Firebrand’s continued commitment to delivering excellence resulted in yet more awards including EC-Council’s Accredited Training Centre of the Year Award for a consecutive 8th year and EC-Council Instructor of the Year. Firebrand were also named in the Top 20 IT Training Companies of 2016, awarded to Firebrand for a 7th successive year.
The hugely successful Free Training for Life competition continued into 2016, again recieving a large amount of interest.
Firebrand passed the impressive milestone of training over 60,000 students since its founding.
2015
Firebrand continue to expand, hitting the impressive milestone of training a total of 50,000 students and growing its training portfolio with 65 new product launches.
Firebrand also celebrated a host of awards including EC-Council’s Accredited Training Centre of the Year, Top 20 IT Training Companies of 2015 and Microsoft Learning Partner of the Year for the 5th time in our Nordic region.
The Apprenticeship business made significant strides this year as they launched the new Digital Apprenticeship Standards to reflect the large industry changes.
The Free Training for Life competition ran for a third time this year proving yet again to be a great success.
2014
Firebrand further expands by opening a new office in Stockholm, Sweden and a new training centre in Liestal, Switzerland. The second edition of Free Training For Life is launched and receives over 14,000 entries, after the immense global success of the first run.
Firebrand Apprenticeships mark two important milestones by placing their 100th apprentice and Kimberley Bolton becoming first woman to receive a Microsoft Apprentice of the Year award.
2013
Firebrand launches the Managed Accounts Programme (MAP) - helping businesses implement the benefits of Accelerated Learning across their organisation. The Free Training For Life competition proved a global success - receiving thousands of entries.
Firebrand picks-up three awards at Microsoft's Apprentice of the Year Awards and also receives EC-Council’s Accredited Training Centre of the Year award for the 4th consecutive year.
Firebrand Nordics gets named Learning Partner of the Year by Microsoft Denmark for the 4th consecutive time. Later in the year the Nordic business also picked up the Gazelle Award for an astonishing 1490% growth since 2009.
2012
Firebrand launched Firebrand Apprenticeships. Continuing our mission to defy 'the norm', apprentices spend one week training with us, every ten weeks. This provides them with much more work experience and focused training, compared to the traditional disruptive method of one day's training every week or two.
Firebrand Benelux achieved the Q-For quality label. The accreditation recognises our quality standards and professionalism in the Benelux training market. Firebrand Nordics was again named Microsoft Learning Partner of the Year - for the third consecutive time. We also retained our Training Partner of the Year award from EC-Council, and our place in the Top 20 IT Training Companies in the World.
2011
Firebrand Training celebrates its 10th Birthday. After a decade of being the leader in Accelerated Learning, Firebrand has opened for business in BeNeLux, Australia, New Zealand and Middle East & Africa. A historic year for Firebrand has been crowned with being named in the Top 20 IT Training Companies in the World.
The Nordic division of Firebrand Training was named Microsoft Learning Partner of the Year for the second consecutive time. We also retained our Training Partner of the Year awards from EC-Council and (ISC)2.
2010
Firebrand Training completed the move of its global headquarters to prestigious Regent Street in central London. The newly refurbished offices symbolise almost a decade of year-on-year growth for the leaders in Accelerated Learning.
Robert Chapman, CEO, explains: “We will not stop here. We are on course for meeting our goal of becoming a £100m business. Our staff members are driven towards achieving this, and we want to take our students on this journey with us.”
We're delighted to have won Training Partner of the Year awards from EC-Council and (ISC)2, as well as being named Microsoft Denmark Learning Partner of the Year.
2009
In a market which saw many in the industry falter, 2009 was an exciting year for Firebrand Training. A state-of-the-art training centre was unveiled at Wyboston Lakes, Bedfordshire. This has already welcomed more than 3,500 students eager to make use of Firebrand’s unique training methodology.
A headquarters to serve the Nordic countries was opened in Denmark, which has been complemented by a training centre in Sweden. At a time when others were in fear of economic meltdown, Firebrand refused to use this as an excuse. The new subsidiary is growing at a phenomenal rate, and has already delivered more than £1m of training.
2008
Firebrand Training won the Institute of IT Training - Training Company of the Year Award for a record third consecutive year. The judging panel commented: "Firebrand Training has made a highly successful transition from being a franchise to a self-contained business while clearly retaining the effectiveness of its business model and maintaining its market presence.
"This year has been the most significant for the company and while engineering the complete rebrand and rewrite of all its courseware the company has - without external investment - shown significant profitability and increase in market penetration having supplied training to over half of the FTSE100 companies."
2007
Growth of the business was meteoric, with thousands of students wanting to gain certifications faster than anywhere else. As part of the expansion, the company was re-launched as Firebrand Training in October 2007.
Firebrand Training retained the Institute of IT Training - Training Company of the Year Award. The judging panel recognised "the company's achievements in going through a significant business change while maintaining its quality and client satisfaction levels and significantly growing its profitability. The company is showing signs of business maturity which should provide a secure foundation for its future within the industry sector and is a deserved winner of this prestigious award."
2006
Firebrand Training won the Institute of IT Training - Training Company of the Year Award for the first time. The judging panel commented: "The company is now engaged in an ambitious program of course development and are currently releasing 2-3 courses per month. The holistic accelerated learning model provides a focused business benefit for its clients, including several major companies delivering effective skills and knowledge transfer in a concise time frame.
"All training is delivered on a residential basis at the company's dedicated facilities in the UK which provide for all the students' needs including an exemplary level of catering and all round care whilst progressing through their selected programs."
2003
Following rapid growth in the UK, a new training centre was opened in Rotenburg, Germany. Training is delivered in German, which means that students from across Germany, Austria and Switzerland are able to experience Accelerated Learning for themselves.
2001
Firebrand Training - originally under the name of Training Camp UK - was co-founded by Stefano Capaldo and Robert Chapman. Impressed by the Accelerated Learning style offered by Training Camp US - and inspired by The Accelerated Learning Handbook by Dave Meier - they decided to launch the first programme of courses in the UK in 2001.