Digitally-powered professional learning business AVADO has merged with apprenticeship training provider Arch.
The company, which co-created award-winning digital learning with Google and the CIPD, said the merger will allow it to create the first truly digitally-delivered apprenticeships.
The combined business is headquartered in London and now has offices in five countries with a workforce of 350 people.
It has recently moved into Imperial College London’s White City Campus, a 23-acre research and innovation district for science, engineering, medicine and technology businesses in West London.
The company already supports tens of thousands of learners in 78 countries, working with global organisations like GlaxoSmithKline, HSBC, Vodafone, Commerzbank, DBS, Dentsu Aegis and Estee Lauder.
“Today marks an important step in AVADO’s ambition to be the world leader in professional digital learning,” said AVADO chief executive Mark O’Donoghue.
“Our innovative methodology is changing the way people learn online all around the world – we create inspiring courses that deliver outstanding results at scale and we’re excited to give companies the opportunity to approach apprenticeships in the same way.
“We know that a skilled workforce is the lifeblood of any successful organisation, and today’s announcement will enable our digital-first approach to transform even more businesses both domestically and internationally.”
Jason Moss, CEO of Arch Apprentices, added: “We’re delighted to be combining forces with AVADO to pool our expertise and help businesses future-proof their workforces via digital skills.
“Our aim is to give organisations access to new talent as well as upskilling existing employees using the highest quality online training approaches.”
Designing and delivering learning experiences which combine innovative technology, exclusive content and expert coaching with the science of learnins allows AVADO to achieve an 85 per cent completion rate for its most demanding courses, versus an industry average of 22 per cent.
Its best-in-class digital skills offer includes DotNative, Lead Digital and Squared Online, which is developed in partnership with Google.
Arch specialises in delivering world-class apprenticeships in IT, digital, data, HR, leadership and finance roles and works closely with customers to develop and deliver exceptional apprenticeship programmes for both existing employees and new recruits.