- 01492 543431
- hello@copatraining.co.uk
At COPA, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed.
For over 40 years, we have helped people develop the skills, confidence and experience they need to build successful careers, while supporting employers to grow their workforce and future-proof their organisations.
Our name comes from the Welsh word Copa – meaning summit or peak. It reflects our commitment to helping learners, employers and communities achieve their full potential.
Today, COPA is one of the UK’s leading work-based learning providers, delivering apprenticeships, employability programmes and workforce development solutions across England and Wales. We work with thousands of learners and hundreds of employers across a wide range of sectors, creating opportunities that change lives and strengthen local economies.
Whether you’re a young person taking your first step into employment, an experienced professional looking to progress your career, or an employer investing in your workforce, we’re here to help you reach your peak.
We connect people with opportunities.
Through apprenticeships, funded training programmes, employability support and workforce development solutions, we help individuals gain the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to thrive in today’s economy.
At the same time, we help employers recruit, develop and retain talented people by providing flexible training solutions that deliver real business impact.
Our approach is simple:
To be the provider of choice for skills, apprenticeships and workforce development, transforming lives, strengthening businesses and creating opportunities for every community we serve.
We achieve more by working together with learners, employers, colleagues and communities.
We create pathways that enable people and organisations to grow, succeed and realise their ambitions.
People are at the heart of everything we do. We listen, support and invest in individual success.
We set high standards, take ownership of our actions and continually strive for excellence.
COPA’s roots stretch back to 1983, when North Wales Training was established in response to rising unemployment and a growing need for skills development across the region.
Founded by local business leaders, the organisation was built on a simple belief: that education, skills and opportunity have the power to transform lives.
Over the following four decades, North Wales Training became a trusted partner for learners, employers and communities, helping thousands of people gain qualifications, secure employment and progress in their careers.
In 2019, the organisation became part of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, one of the largest education groups in Wales, strengthening its ability to deliver high-quality learning opportunities at scale.
As demand for skills and workforce development grew, the organisation expanded across Wales and England, broadening its reach and impact.
In 2023, North Wales Training became COPA. While the name changed, our purpose remained the same: creating opportunities, developing talent and helping people reach their peak potential.
Today, COPA continues to build on more than 40 years of experience, delivering apprenticeships, employability programmes and workforce solutions that make a real difference to individuals, employers and communities across the UK.
Managing Director
Gareth has worked in the training sector for over 20 years, developing a strong understanding of funded provision and high-quality delivery. He is highly experienced in responding to policy and funding changes and brings valuable insight from his time as an Ofsted inspector.
Throughout his career, Gareth has built and managed hundreds of learning programmes, working with organisations of all sizes, from SMEs to large multi-national employers, and across a wide range of sectors. His experience combines strategic leadership with a practical, delivery-focused approach, ensuring programmes remain compliant, effective and responsive to employer and learner needs.
Operations Manager Youth Engagement Team
