Zenos History
2000
Learning and Skills Council created
The start of the 21st Century brought the most significant and far reaching reform of learning for people aged 16 and over that this country has ever seen. For the first time, the planning and funding of all post-compulsory learning below higher education was integrated and brought under the management of the newly created Learning and Skills Council (LSC).
The LSC was created to drive forward the agenda on learning and skills, building on the good practice which existed at the time, remove duplication and overlap and provide effective co-ordination and strategic planning, with a real focus on skills and employer needs at national, regional, sectoral and local level.
It was also a catalyst to the creation of Zenos.
2001
Zenos is formed
George and Sandra Anderson were a husband and wife who both enjoyed successful careers at Xerox - and had devised and implemented a successful Apprenticeship and NVQ programme amongst other commercial IT Training programmes. In 2001 they formed Zenos, and using their Xerox experience as a foundation, secured a contract with Thames Valley LSC to deliver work-based learning at client's sites in the region.
2005
NVQ and Advanced programme developed
Zenos grew from its first contract for 25 learners until by 2005 it had approaching 1,000 work based learners, all funded through the LSC's programme and in client locations across the UK. An NVQ and Advanced Apprenticeship programme for the IT industry was developed by the LSC in conjunction with Zenos and a small number of "blue chip" industry clients. Zenos secured contracts throughout the country with clients that included Fujitsu, Capgemini, Centrica, IBM and Hewlett Packard.
2006
First four Zenos Academies open
Zenos turned its attention to the provision of high quality training for young people between the ages of 16 and 18 who were not in work or education. A unique approach saw the opening of the first 4 Zenos Academies in the summer of that year, built around programme-led Advanced Apprenticeship courses.
2007
Institute of IT Training Gold Award
The Academy model was an immediate success - and the number of academies and learners exploded with 8 more locations opening. 2007 was also the year that Zenos received industry recognition in the form of the Institute of IT Training Gold Award, CompTIA's European Pioneer Award for Innovation in Training, top provider status for City & Guilds and naming as the Top Microsoft Academy in the UK.
With a focus on providing its learners with a compelling blend of life skills, a professional approach to their careers and internationally recognised Vendor qualifications in addition to the Advanced Apprenticeship, Zenos's reputation has evolved as a company that "develops people - not just learners."
2008
Ofsted judge Zenos to be outstanding
More Academies open - and the Ofsted inspection in the summer of this year judges Zenos to be Outstanding in every key area of training delivery and management.
The year ended with the acquisition of the business by Melorio plc in December, giving Zenos access to the management skills, infrastructure and funding to meet its continuing growth whilst remaining an autonomous operational business.
2009
Three more Zenos Academies open
3 more Academies opened in February to provide even greater access to Zenos programmes for learners across England.
The Train to Gain Plus programme delivers an option to work based employers looking to strengthen their business by providing their employees with additional and refreshed skills for the challenges of the current economic climate.
