New Partnership Brings Better Training Options to South Western Ontario Workforces
Grade Learning and Bigger & Better Journey Join Forces to focus on Essential Skills required for employment and career success.
Grade Learning (formerly Grade Expectations Learning Centres), Southern Ontario’s leader in individualized adult training and education since 1993 and Bigger & Better Journey, Brantford’s first and only Learning Centre with the Holistic Approach have joined together to offer combined and enhanced employment-focused learning services. This partnership builds upon both organizations’ histories and experience in South Western Ontario with training that is uniquely designed for workplace relevance. Corporate clients benefit from advanced research in Adult Learning Theory as the partnership’s curriculum combines The Holistic Approach that has been a trademark of Bigger & Better Journey since its inception in 2007 and the revolutionary InteGRADE Learning System developed by the experts at Grade Learning.
Lisa Taylor, Director for Grade Learning comments, “Grade Learning is very excited about this partnership. After working together informally for months, this is the logical next step for both of our organizations. It is not often that we can find another company that shares our passion for quality, individualized workplace training at reasonable prices. We are thrilled that this partnership will allow each organization to expand its reach. Grade Learning prides itself on the quality of its academic, ESL, college and high school program teaching staff and is thrilled to be adding Bigger & Better Journey’s talented corporate trainers to the team.”
“As a small local company we have been restricted with what we can offer our clients. The affiliation with Grade Learning opens countless new doors and opportunities for us to provide in ways we’ve never imagined. In the past we’ve had to turn away any clients seeking GED training and Second Career options. We’ve also missed out on bidding for large corporate training contracts due to our small size and limited resources, but with Grade as our partner we can offer our clients an option for every service and take on any contract with a level of professionalism and reputation that our clients can bank on,” says Melanie Crawford, co-owner of Bigger & Better Journey.
Recent changes in government funded training have forced numerous small training companies out of business in the province. “We are lucky that our focus has been corporate training or our company would have fallen victim to these government changes,” adds Crawford. “All the requirements for qualifying for Second Career training have changed and the general public has questions about what to do and where to go.” According to Taylor, “Grade Learning’s commitment to quality and external regulation led many of its campuses to register with the Ontario Ministry of Education as well as the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
As one of the Provinces only full-service education and training providers, Grade Learning’s status as a regulated Private Secondary School and Career College ensures unique focus on sound educational principles in the training it provides its corporate clients. We are in additional discussions with potential partners looking to professionalize and regulate the corporate training industry and feel that there will be increased convergence between the education and training realms.” Crawford adds: “This is where organizations like Grade Learning and Bigger & Better Journey enter into the scene – a One Stop Shop for moving forward with your educational and career goals.”
Grade Learning has over 40 campuses across Ontario and provides training for youth and adults in six key areas: Corporate Training, Specialized Training (including Workplace Skills), High School Credits, Individualized Tutoring, English as a Second Language, Career College. All programs are modular, allowing each individual student to receive a training program customized to their workplace or academic needs. Bigger & Better Journey’s courses will be integrated into Grade Learning campuses and can be delivered at the campus or at the client’s location.
