One of Wales’ leading training providers has described its latest contract with the Welsh Government as ‘a foundation for growth and stability’ in the campaign to give Welsh adults and young people the skills required by employers.

Itec Training Solutions Limited has agreed a comprehensive, rolling package of training services with the Welsh Government, subject to performance and quality reviews, that is likely to be worth more than £50m over the next four to six years.

The company, which already employs 150 people, is to strengthen its management team as a result of the contract, with the appointment of new senior staff to oversee delivery of their traineeship and apprenticeship programmes as well as recruiting for a number of other roles, creating around 20 jobs over the coming year.

One of Wales’ fastest-growing companies, Itec has six training hubs, including a main centre in Commercial Street, Newport, and in Pill Community Learning Academy in Newport and in Caradoc Road, Cwmbran.

It is now planning to widen its activities through additional centres, through more ‘delivery partners’ and on a local level through a range of community venues.

More than 4,000 learners a year acquire skills through Itec in areas such as motor mechanics, hospitality and catering, hair and beauty, childcare, retail and warehousing, construction, health and social care and rail engineering.

The company works with employers to provide them with skilled job candidates and upskill their current employees.

Itec, founded more than 30 years ago, is also the largest deliverer of the Welsh Government’s Jobs Growth Wales programme, which has helped create employment opportunities for more than 16,000 young people since April 2012.

Itec development director Joel Williams said “Work-based learning budgets have been cut as part of wider reductions across government so we are delighted to receive a contract that allows us to grow our services across all training programmes.”

He said: “Contract awards such as this enable us to plan and invest for the future with a degree of confidence which is essential if we are to fulfil our primary objectives of preparing people for work and aligning our services with the needs of employers.”