{{Short description|UK-based training company}} {{Use British English|date=February 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox company | name = Pitman Training Group | logo = Pitman Logo.jpg | type = Private | traded_as = Pitman Training | genre = | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | foundation = {{Start date|1837}} | founder = | defunct = | location_city = Wetherby, West Yorkshire | location_country = England | location = | locations = | area_served = Global | key_people = | industry = Training | products = | services = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | aum = <!-- Only used with financial services companies --> | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = | parent = LaunchLife International Inc. | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = {{URL|https://www.pitman-training.com/}} | footnotes = | intl = }}

'''Pitman Training Group Limited''' is a private limited company based in Wetherby, West Yorkshire. They are an independent training provider, delivering online and paper-based tests for educational organisations. The company has been in operation since 1837 - when Issac Pitman invented Shorthand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/07286351|title=PITMAN TRAINING GROUP LIMITED - Overview (free company information from Companies House)|website=beta.companieshouse.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-10-10}}</ref>

== History == Pitman Training is named after Isaac Pitman, the pioneer of shorthand writing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/supportservices/6475455/Pitman-mulls-30m-sale-of-business.html|title=Pitman mulls £30m sale of business|last=Harrington|first=Ben|date=2009-10-31|access-date=2017-10-10|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> Along with his sons, Alfred and Ernest, Isaac developed training businesses across the UK. The training business later evolved into two separate companies: Pitman Training and JHP Training (now Learndirect Ltd).

Pitman Training claims to provide training to more than 30,000 people each year and currently holds a pass rate of 98 per cent for their Diploma range.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pitman-training.com/|title=Pitman Training - IT, Microsoft Office, Bookkeeping & Secretarial Courses, Diplomas & Seminars|website=www.pitman-training.com|language=en|access-date=2017-10-10}}</ref> A 2003 survey by the group found that 15 per cent of Britain's working population wanted a career change.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2003/aug/24/workandcareers.changingjobs|title=Why sit and stew? A new life may be just the job|last=Oaff|first=Barbara|date=2003-08-24|work=The Observer|access-date=2017-10-10|language=en-GB|issn=0029-7712}}</ref>

=== Expansion === There are 50 training centres across the UK and 17 in Ireland, as well as 6 international markets spread across 13 training centres in Palestine, Russia, Kuwait, Pakistan, Kenya and Ghana.

=== Partnerships and sponsorships === Pitman Training partners with a number of educational bodies, including the Association of Accounting Technicians, the British Computer Society, Digital Marketing Institute and City and Guilds.

The group has sponsored several awards and events, including the Yorkshire PA of the Year Awards and Bett Asia event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://palife.co.uk/news/winners-revealed-at-yorkshire-pa-of-the-year-awards/|title=Winners revealed at Yorkshire PA of the Year Awards - PA Life|date=2016-07-01|work=PA Life|access-date=2017-10-10|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://asia.bettshow.com/sponsors/pitman-training-group|title=Pitman Training Group {{!}} Bett Asia 2017 |website=asia.bettshow.com |language=en |access-date=2017-10-10}}</ref>

== Awards == In October 2014, the group won best Low Budget Campaign of the Year at the Northern Marketing Awards. The winning campaign was ‘Career MOT – Drive Your Future Forward’; a campaign which used iOS, Android and web apps to engage prospects via a UK-wide roadshow.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/2014/10/the-northern-marketing-awards-2014-the-winners/|title=The Northern Marketing Awards 2014: The Winners|work=Prolific North|access-date=2017-10-10|language=en-US}}</ref>

In March 2015, Pitman won the award for In-House Team of the Year (North) at the PR Moment Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prmoment.com/category/blog/the-winners-of-the-prmoment-awards-north|title=Blog: The winners of the PRmoment Awards North {{!}} PRmoment|website=www.prmoment.com|language=en|access-date=2017-10-10}}</ref>

In June 2015, Pitman Training was a finalist at the HSBC Franchisor of the Year awards, due to their accelerated global expansion. Later in the year, Fran Maclean of Pitman was a finalist in the Olderpreneur Franchisee of the Year award, supported by HSBC Franchisee of the Year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.yorkshirebusinessdaily.co.uk/2015/05/13/three-west-yorkhsire-buisnesses-shortlisted-2015-bfa-hsbc-franchisor-year-awards/|title=Three West Yorkshire businesses shortlisted in 2015 bfa HSBC Franchisor of the Year awards - Yorkshire Business Daily|date=2015-05-13|work=Yorkshire Business Daily|access-date=2017-10-10|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://startups.co.uk/uks-best-franchising-entrepreneurs-announced-for-bfa-awards-shortlist/|title=UK's best franchising entrepreneurs announced for bfa Awards shortlist {{!}} Startups.co.uk|date=2015-06-19|work=Startups.co.uk: Starting a business advice and business ideas|access-date=2017-10-10|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In February 2017, Pitman was recognised in the Executive Education, Training and Development category of the 2017 Super Brands list.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2013/05/09/sir-isaac-honoured-as-pitman-training-becomes-superbrand|title=Sir Isaac honoured as Pitman Training becomes superbrand|work=Bdaily Business News|access-date=2017-10-10|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/578392113e00be71f4726933/t/58b351c26a4963bcd4dd0c14/1488146883798/BSB+2017+Official+Results.pdf|title=BSB 2017 Official Results}}</ref>

The company runs its own annual Super Achievers Awards for its students. Awards include PA of the Year, Working Mum/Dad of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://superachievers.pitman-training.com/|title=Pitman Training SuperAchievers|last=Button|first=Nick|website=superachievers.pitman-training.com|language=en|access-date=2017-10-13}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://www.pitman-training.com/ Pitman Training Group]

Category:Training companies Category:Training companies of the United Kingdom Category:British companies established in 1985