At Shoots Training, we’ve always believed that great training starts with great people.

Every day, our colleagues support learners to develop new skills, gain qualifications and build confidence in their careers. They work closely with employers, guide apprentices through their learning journeys and help individuals unlock opportunities that can change their futures.

That’s why, in April 2024, we took an important step in our journey and became an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

While that might sound like a significant business decision, for us it was actually something very simple. It was about recognising the people who make Shoots what it is. By becoming employee owned, we’re ensuring that the future of Shoots remains in the hands of those who care most about it. The colleagues who support learners, build partnerships with employers and drive our success now have a greater voice in shaping what comes next.

It’s a model built on shared success, shared responsibility and shared purpose.

What Does Employee Ownership Mean?

Employee ownership means that the business is held in trust for the benefit of its colleagues. Rather than being owned by external investors or shareholders, Shoots is owned on behalf of the people who help make it successful every day.

For our colleagues, it creates opportunities to have a greater say in the future of the organisation. For learners and employers, it means the values and culture that have defined Shoots continue to be protected for years to come. Most importantly, it helps ensure that decisions are made with a long-term view, focusing on what is best for our learners, employer partners, colleagues and communities. More information on this can be found here.

Why We Chose This Path

When considering the future of Shoots, our Founder and Chairwoman, Cheryl Hadland, wanted to find a way to protect everything that makes the organisation special. After exploring several options, employee ownership stood out as the best way to safeguard our values while creating new opportunities for colleagues to become even more involved in the success of the business.

As Cheryl explains:

“Tops and Shoots have been like my babies. I’ve put everything I am into them, but they have grown up now, and I see my job as supporting them to fly into their next phase.”

By becoming employee owned, we can continue to build on the strong foundations that have been created over the years while ensuring our people remain at the heart of every decision we make.

What This Means for Learners and Employers

For our learners and employer partners, very little has changed and that’s exactly the point. The dedicated teams you know and trust are still here. The high-quality training, personalised support and commitment to helping people succeed remain exactly the same.

What has changed is the sense of ownership and pride our colleagues feel in helping shape the future of the organisation. We believe that when colleagues feel valued, heard and invested in the success of the business, everyone benefits. From apprentices and learners to employers and the wider community.

Looking Ahead

Becoming employee owned isn’t the end of a journey, it’s the beginning of a new one. Together, we’re building a future where every colleague has a voice, every employer feels supported and every learner has the opportunity to thrive.

Because when people feel ownership, they care deeply about what they do. And when people care, extraordinary things can happen. As we celebrate EO Day, we’re proud of how far we’ve come and excited about what comes next for Shoots, our colleagues, our learners and our employer partners. If you’re curious about what an employee-owned trust is and how it could impact your life, take some time to explore the resources available.