Training 2000 chief executive to retire

Steve Gray is set to retire as chief executive of Training 2000, a post he has held since 2005.

During his 13 year tenure, Steve has played a key role in steering the training organisation's strategy regarding skills development, apprenticeships and study programmes.

He was instrumental in establishing the Lancashire Work Based Learning Forum, The North West Provider Network, the Group Training Association England (GTAE) and the conversion of Victoria Mill in Burnley, which was one of the first University Technical Colleges in the country.

Steve also played a key role in UCLan’s acquisition of Training 2000 in 2017.

Starting his career in 1980 as an apprentice auto electrician at Seddon Atkinson Vehicles, Steve then moved to Ribble Motors Bus Company in 1981 to complete his apprenticeship and become a skilled auto electrician. He left Ribble Motors in 1986 to pursue a career as an electrician at British Aerospace where he held a number of positions over the years in training and development linked to projects such as Tornado, Hawk, Nimrod and Eurofighter.

Steve will formally retire on 31 August 2018. He said: "After 13 fantastic years as chief executive of Training 2000, I am retiring to spend more time with my family, to travel and to enjoy retirement.

"It has been a privilege to work with a wonderful team, both at Training 2000 and now at UCLan, to create a unique training offer for businesses to access. Our focus has always been to make our learners the very best they can be through training that aligns with economic need and I know this ethos will continue into the future.

Dr Lynne Livesey, chair of Training 2000 alongside her current portfolio as deputy vice-chancellor (academic) at UCLan added: “Under Steve’s leadership, Training 2000 truly flourished as one of the largest Group Training Associations in the UK.

"I would like to thank him for his tremendous work and for his vision to engage with the University and to play a key role in enabling UCLan to accelerate its strategy for developing broader pathways for apprenticeship qualifications including graduate and post-graduate Degree Apprenticeships.” Steve Whitehead, director of operations and learning at Training 2000 will oversee day-to-day operations until a successor is appointed.