16th March 2009

Funding supplied to AB1 GROUP by UFI-learndirect is Government funding and subject to audit. AB1 Group pass, with no extrapolations, a substantive audit covering 6-month period August 2008 - January 2009.

13th March 2009

AB1 GROUP receive a fourth Quality Assurance Report for delivery of National Vocational Qualifications from the OCR External Verifier. AB1 GROUP are complimented on their organisational skills and maintain their Direct Claim status.

26th September 2008

Funding supplied to AB1 GROUP by UFI-learndirect is Government funding and subject to audit. AB1 Group pass, with no extrapolations, a substantive audit covering 6-month period February 2008 – July 2008.

1st August 2008

Nationally Ranked No1 for NVQ delivery - 2007/2008
In 2007/08 AB1 GROUP were Ufi learndirect’s top performing centre for the number of NVQ's delivered. With over 1,000 learndirect centres nationwide AB1 GROUP are justifiably proud of this achievement.

1st August 2008

The Sector Skills Service enters into an agreement with Careers Enterprise Ltd, part of VT Group plc, to provide the Nextstep service as a part of the Sector Skills Service for the next two-years.

1st August 2008

AB1 GROUP agree to be a lead partner in the UFI Consortium agreement with the Learning Skills Council for Train to Gain Type B funding in South East England.  Under this agreement AB1 GROUP will deliver NVQ’s and Skills for Life.

1st August 2008

AB1 GROUP enter into a new two-year agreement with UFI - learndirect, focusing upon NVQ and Skills for Life provision.

27th June 2008

AB1 GROUP receive a third Quality Assurance Report for delivery of National Vocational Qualifications from the OCR External Verifier and AB1 Group maintain their Direct Claim status.

23rd May 2008

AB1 GROUP and the Sector Skills Service sign up to the JobCentrePlus Local Employer Partnership.

1st May 2008

AB1 GROUP enter into a new Service Level Agreement with JobCentrePlus. The JCP Advisers will continue to work with Sector Skills Service Advisers in an effort to help the unemployed move into work.

28th March 2008

Funding supplied to AB1 GROUP by UFI-learndirect is Government funding and subject to audit. AB1 Group pass, with no extrapolations, a substantive audit covering 6-month period August 2007 – January 2008.

16th November 2007

AB1 GROUP receive a second Quality Assurance Report for delivery of National Vocational Qualifications from the OCR External Verifier and AB1 maintain their Direct Claim status.

30th October 2007

Funding supplied to AB1 GROUP by UFI-learndirect is Government funding and subject to audit. AB1 Group pass, with no extrapolations, a substantive audit covering 6-month period February 2007 – July 2007.

1st August 2007

Nationally Ranked No1 for NVQ delivery - 2006/2007
In 2006/07 AB1 GROUP were UFI learndirect’s top performing centre for the number of NVQ's delivered. With over 1,000 learndirect centres nationwide AB1 GROUP are justifiably proud of this achievement.

1st August 2007

The Sector Skills Service enters into an agreement with VT Careers Management Southern, part of VT Group plc, to provide their NEXTSTEP service as a part of the Sector Skills Service for the next twelve months.

19th June 2007

AB1 GROUP and its associated brand the Sector Skills Service Ltd achieves accreditation for the MATRIX national quality standard for information advice and guidance services.

29th March 2007

Funding supplied to AB1 GROUP by UFI-learndirect is Government funding and subject to audit. AB1 Group pass, with no extrapolations, a substantive audit covering 6-month period August 2006 – January 2007.

1st March 2007

AB1 change name from AB1 Lifestyle Ltd to AB1 Group Limited to recognise the strong growth and emergence of separate parts of the company’s business. The Sector Skills Service Ltd offering Careers Advice & Employment support, the Waterlooville IT Centre offering Adult Further Education and new projects planned for the future.

29th January 2007

Paul Shirlaw - CEO is asked to be the guest speaker on NVQ provision at the UFI South East Providers Event.

22nd January 2007

AB1 receive an excellent Quality Assurance Report for delivery of National Vocational Qualifications from the OCR External Verifier and is accredited with Direct Claim status.

1st August 2006

AB1 enter into a regional two year contract with UFI - learndirect for the academic years 2006/07& 2007/08.

1st August 2006

AB1 renew their agreement to assist with the training for BARCLAYS BANK PLC for the academic year 2006/07.

11th May 2006

AB1 are invited to become a sub-contractor for VT Careers Management Southern, part of VT Group plc. AB1 will provide, under this agreement, the NEXTSTEP Information, Advice and Guidance service to a proportion of their Sector Skills Service customers. VT Group provide, on a regional basis, the Nextstep Service on behalf of the Learning Skills Council.

21st April 2006

AB1 enter into a Service Level Agreement with JobCentrePlus. JCP Advisers will work with Sector Skills Service Advisers in an effort to further help the unemployed move into work.

17th March 2006

AB1 gain accreditation with OCR to deliver NVQs in IT and in Customer Services.

6th March 2006

AB1 are pleased to agree to accept referrals from Maatwerk for their 'Progress to Work' initiative. Maatwerk has been providing 'back-to-work' services all over Europe since 1991.

3rd February 2006

AB1 agree to accept referals for training from the Portsmouth City Council's new deal unit working on the initiative, 'Matching Ability With Jobs'

4th January 2006

AB1 re-brands the Sector Skills Service to offer advice on all Industry Sectors.

6th December 2005

AB1 launch their Sector Sector Service to train and help move people into employment within the eSkills Sector.

1st August 2005

AB1 enter into a new National contract with Sussex Enterprise to distribute learndirect branded courses to the UK e-Skills industry sector.

1st August 2005

AB1 renew their agreement to assist with the training for BARCLAYS BANK PLC for the academic year 2005/06. All Barclays and Woolwich staff within the South East England region will attend at the AB1 I.T. Centre to undertake Barclays training under the guidance of Barclays University.

It is agreed that Barclays and Woolwich staff wishing to undertake personal self-development courses can also either attend the I.T. Centre or use AB1's distance learning program. Furthermore, Barclays and Woolwich staff will receive financial sponsorship from Barclays University to pay for courses undertaken by their staff.

1st August 2005

AB1 enter into a regional contract for the academic year 2005/06 to provide learndirect courses within Hampshire from the AB1 I.T. Centre.

20th June 2005

AB1 become an approved and accredited testing centre for Oxford Cambridge RSA Examinations Board (OCR) to offer National Tests in Adult Literacy and Adult Numeracy.

25th April 2005

AB1 enter into a short-term National contract with Sussex Enterprise to distribute learndirect branded courses to the UK e-Skills industry sector.

15th November 2004

AB1 enter into a National Industry Sector contract with ASSA Training and Learning to provide learndirect branded courses to the UK Visual Communications Sector.

1st August 2004

AB1 enter into a regional contract for the academic year 2004/05 to distribute learndirect courses within Hampshire from the AB1 I.T. Centre.

1st August 2004

AB1 enter into an agreement to assist with the training for BARCLAYS BANK PLC for the academic year 2004/05. All Barclays and Woolwich staff within the South East England region are able to attend at the AB1 I.T. Centre to undertake Barclays training under the guidance of Barclays University.

It is agreed that Barclays and Woolwich staff wishing to undertake personal self-development courses can also either attend the I.T. Centre or use AB1 GROUP's distance learning program. Furthermore, Barclays and Woolwich staff will receive financial sponsorship from Barclays University to pay for courses undertaken by their staff.

15th September 2003

AB1 enter into a regional contract for the academic year 2003/04 to distribute learndirect courses within Hampshire from the AB1 I.T. Centre.

8th April 2002

South Downs College commence a twelve month contract to use AB1 I .T. Centre. This is operated as an outreach centre that can be used by AB1's growing database of students

25th September 2001

AB1 and its I.T.Centre is recognised and approved by OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations Board).

11th July 2001

AB1 commence with a 'Basic Computer Skills Course' for the local community.

1st July 2001

AB1 open a purpose built I.T. Training Centre for Adult Further Education.

1st July 2001

AB1 add an Affiliate Service to their existing Website Service.

14th July 2000

AB1 launch Website Service and retail the service to SME's and Individuals.

7th April 2000

AB1 place their high quality AB1 Lifestyle Magazines online together with a new Online Information Service and Search Directory. By immediately embracing New Media,  AB1 start down a path of new exciting online possibilities and developments for the company.

11th November 1999

Company founded by Chief Executive Officer - Paul Shirlaw