A passion for improving lives and workforces
At Poultec we know just how valuable the right vocational training can be, both to learners and their employers. Changing lives, transforming workforces, bettering organisations.
The Poultec difference
Set up in 1997, Poultec is an independent apprenticeships and training provider working across multiple industry sectors throughout the UK. We thrive on our family-run independence. It enables us to think differently about things. Not to follow the crowd, but to continually innovate in a bid to make vocational training the best it can possibly be. Some of the employers we work with have been with us since day one. They know we work harder and smarter to make their lives a little easier: to understand their business and to not only upskill their staff, but to shape their training to fit their needs and culture. We believe this makes a big difference and plays a big part in what makes Poultec different.
Meet the Poultec Team
Ed Bales
Founder & Managing Director
Nicola Guy
Company Secretary
Leroy Burrell
Associate Director - Communications
George Watts-Sturrock
Head of Curriculum & Quality
Chanelle Arnold
Contracts & Compliance Manager
Ben Gaskins
Associate Director - Commercial
Michelle Bugg
Curriculum Director
Adam Bales
Marketing & Communications Manager
The Poultec story
Starting Out. (1997-2002)
Poultec Training was established in 1997 by Edward Bales as a diversification from previous family farming operations focused around a gap in the market – for training poultry and egg production sector. By the end of the decade business growth had seen Food Manufacturing added to its training specialisms – and the tiny portacabin start-up office had become too small. Keen for the business to stay in Mattishall and made plans for a new purpose-built training centre.
The new vision. (2003 -2007)
Fast forward to 2003 and the new South Green Park centre was completed. receiving an award for Outstanding Architecture. By 2005 Poultec had become a fully approved UK Training Provider. ‘Retail & Customer Service’, ‘Business & Computing’, ‘ICT’, ‘Hospitality & Catering’ and ‘Butchery’, became new additional programme areas. Butchery was to be housed in its own state-of-the-art Butchery Suite, within a new ‘Food Centre of Excellence’.
A growing reputation. (2008-2014)
The Company was entrusted with launching and administrating the very first Poultry Passport on behalf of the British poultry industry – a secure, online skills passport that defines training requirements linked to job roles and KPIs. Poultec gains a national first when apprentice, Rachel Almey, wins the Pfizer Trainee of the Year Award at the House of Commons. ‘Management’ and ‘Hair & Beauty’ (in its own state of the art salon) were added as new areas of training at South Green Park.
Building momentum. 2015 - 2019
Poultec became a training provider to the healthcare industry including to the NHS and GP surgeries. Gymtec Fitness opened at South Green Park – a gym equipped with top of the range Life Fitness equipment for use in training, personal training – and for staff and the local community to use. ‘Sports & Outdoor’ and ‘Horse Care’ introduced to Poultec’s areas of delivery. Poultec learner, Carlos Paiva, won the Poulters Award Student of the Year in London. Poultec Butchery apprentice, Eva Szabo, won the Best Poultry Apprentice Award at the Institute of Meat and Worshipful Company of Butchers Annual Awards. Poultec’s first Annual Learner Awards ceremony also took place to recognise the excellence of our learners and their achievements throughout their Apprenticeship.
Forging ahead. 2020 and beyond.
‘Dental Apprenticeships’ and ‘Fitness’ study programmes launched. Poultec ‘Agricultural’ Apprentice, Leah Page-Scott won the Zoetis-NFU Award. March 2020 sees Covid precautions force face-to-face training to cease, with all staff moving to remote working. Poultec responds by launching remote apprenticeship delivery – and study programmes delivered by Zoom. Learnings from these helped inform the introduction of Poultec’s tutor led e-learning courses. Poultec announces new non-Exec Chair, Jon Graham, and new Governance Board comprising expertise and experience across multiple sectors. Poultec gains finalist nomination for ‘Best Medium Sized Business’ at the EDP Norfolk Business Awards. Butchery apprentice, Daniel Powell, named Best Retail Butchery Apprentice at the Institute of Meat (IoM) and Worshipful Company of Butchers Annual Prizegiving.
Poultec’s Mission
To transform lives through learning, creating a community where every individual can thrive, grow, and achieve their ambitions.
Poultec’s Values
Collaborative
We believe in working together with our learners and employers in an adaptable, dynamic, and open way to achieve shared success.
Authentic
We believe in honesty, integrity, and transparency in all our interactions and operations.
Sustainable
We are committed to environmentally responsible and economically sound operations, ensuring sustainable business growth and resilience.
Inspiring
We aim to encourage passion and creativity in every learner. Our programmes are designed to motivate and empower individuals to reach their full potential and future aspirations.
Innovative
We are responsive in providing the most relevant and effective training solutions by staying agile and adapting to the ever-evolving educational landscape.
Inclusive
We embrace diversity with our approach, ensuring that all learners, regardless of their circumstances, have the resources and support they need to succeed
Accreditations
Our work in the community
Supporting our local communities is important to us. Over the years we have actively helped local projects, clubs, organisations and charities through sponsorship and fundraising.
Little Lifts is our chosen charity who provide Little Lifts gift boxes to every breast cancer patient in the UK receiving chemotherapy or radio therapy treatment.
As a Poultec employee, you have the opportunity to get involved and make a difference!
Little Lifts
Little Lifts is a charity on a mission to provide free, thoughtfully curated Little Lifts gift boxes to every breast cancer patient in the UK receiving chemotherapy or radio therapy treatment. Since 2021, we have helped to raise not only awareness of Little Lifts, but in excess of £69,384 in much-needed funds.
“Community is everything to us and we like to think we play our part in ‘giving back’, We believe in the importance of fostering strong relationships and making a meaningful difference where it matters most.”
– Ed Bales, Managing Director, Poultec.
Mattishall Cricket Club
We have been sponsors of this friendly, well supported village cricket club for a number of years. The club’s facilities now include a quality playing surface, spacious changing rooms and showers, synthetic net practice facility, electronic scorebox and access to a comfortable and well-maintained on-site bar and social club.
Poultec News and Insights
Keep up to date with all the latest news, advice and insights from Poultec.
