PLT Training has invested £1.25 million in a new ‘centre of excellence’ in Oldbury, transforming an 82,250ft² warehouse on Pearsall Drive into a dedicated health and safety training hub capable of supporting more than 10,000 learners a year.
The specialist training provider, founded by Nicc Bennett in 2006, has relocated its administrative teams to the building’s upper floor, while the ground level now features classrooms and six purpose-built practical zones. These include facilities for forklift operation, advanced working at height, manual handling, first aid, and a unique confined-space training course complete with tunnels and breathing apparatus.
The expansion marks an early milestone ahead of the company’s 20th anniversary. PLT Training now delivers courses to more than 1,500 businesses annually, from SMEs and subcontractors to major employers such as Assa Abloy, Arvato SCM, AO Recycling, Williams F1 and Red Bull Racing.
Kath Lang, PLT Training’s operations director, said: “We had grown rapidly over the last five years and felt the time was right to look for a larger training space that allowed us to do more delivery at our own facility. The space in Oldbury came up and we jumped at the opportunity. It was a blank canvas, which gave us the chance to shape the training zones exactly how our instructors wanted them.”
She added that the company has already recruited additional staff as part of the move and expects to expand the team of 17 instructors further next year. “The feedback on the new centre has been fantastic, and we’re already planning further enhancements and new capabilities as we head into 2026.”
PLT Training’s growth contrasts sharply with its early days, when founder Nicc travelled the UK delivering free sessions to convince employers of the importance of staff safety. Nearly two decades later, the business is recognised as a national leader, offering more than 150 accredited and industry-specific courses both at Oldbury and at customer sites nationwide.
Its instructors bring hands-on industry experience, delivering training across areas such as COSHH awareness, first aid, fire marshalling, forklift and plant operation, abrasive wheels, overhead cranes, leadership and management, NEBOSH and IOSH qualifications, and wellbeing-focused subjects including mental health and menopause awareness.
Lang said: “Health and safety isn’t just about compliance. The most proactive companies invest to protect staff, create better working environments and improve productivity. We can offer one-off courses or provide a holistic service, guiding clients through their requirements and helping identify future needs. More businesses are choosing this approach.”
Looking ahead, PLT Training is planning several upgrades to the new centre. “Plans have been signed off to introduce overhead crane facilities and PASMA courses at Oldbury,” Lang said. “We are also exploring acquisition opportunities to increase our geographic reach.”
