About Avant Skills Academy
Our Story
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We deliver Apprenticeship training across Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire, Hull and East Yorkshire in a range of occupational sectors including Business, Data, Digital, Hairdressing, Management and Marketing.
We are proactive, passionate and committed. We pride ourselves on our achievements and success with outstanding success rates of learner achievement, excellent employer and learner feedback, high impact training and development and recognition of our efforts culminating in 95% of employers and 99.5% of learners recommending us –
Find out why!
Discover
Our Vision
To provide a dynamic approach to the delivery of high quality learner and employer centred learning and development.
Our Apprentices learn and develop the knowledge and skills required to become competent and valued employees, enabling them to progress in their career.
Our Pre-apprenticeship learners gain real work experience and develop the skills to become work-ready, enabling their progression to an Apprenticeship or employment.
In The Heart Of Grimsby & Hull
Based in the heart of Hull & Grimsby our apprenticeship training groups are focussed on providing the highest quality apprenticeship training around.
Meet the Avant Team
Alysha Lond
Apprenticeship Engagement Coordinator (Grimsby)
Alysha is an Apprenticeship Engagement Coordinator. She started a pre-apprenticeship programme with us in 2020 at the age of 16, then progressed onto an apprenticeship in customer service where she achieved a distinction grade and in July 2025 she achieved another distinction grade, this time on her Content Creator Apprenticeship programme. As part of the Engagement Team, Alysha engages with young people, adults, and employers to promote our pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programmes, sharing her learning journey and how the right programme and learner can have a positive impact on all those involved.
Abbie Norman
Programme Tutor Assessor (Hairdressing)
Abbie is our Hairdressing Programme Tutor Assessor for Grimsby. She joined us in August 2020 and has worked in the hairdressing industry for over 17 years. Abbie is passionate about her role and developing good working relationships with both employers and learners, sharing her skills and knowledge. Abbie also works as a hairdresser running her own business as it ensures her skills are kept current and up to date with the changes in this fast-paced industry.
Andrew Jessett
Programme Tutor Assessor (Skills Experience)
Andrew is a Programme Tutor Assessor for the Pre-apprenticeship Programme in Grimsby and joined us in August 2024. He has worked in the education sector for over twenty years and has a plethora of educational experience, having taught students from a wide range of backgrounds. Andrew has taught primary age children, young people and adults who have found themselves in the prison system. He enjoys supporting his learners at Avant Skills Academy and relishes the role of getting them workplace ready and moving them into employment and apprenticeships.
Bex Edgar
Apprenticeship Engagement Coordinator
Bex joined Avant Skills Academy in 2026, bringing extensive expertise in apprenticeship management and mentoring. She has a proven track record in further education, where she successfully coordinated work experience programmes and built strong employer relationships. Bex is highly skilled, dedicated, and passionate about supporting learners to achieve their full potential, making her an invaluable member of the team.
Caelyn Revell
Receptionist and Administration Assistant
Caelyn is our Receptionist and Administration Assistant, who has only recently joined in 2025. She manages greeting clients and handling inquiries, ensuring a welcoming and efficient environment. She also supports daily office operations by maintaining records, scheduling appointments, and assisting with various tasks to keep everything running smoothly. In her spare time, she also supports the community by volunteering for Humber Rescue; ensuring the safety of others who experience issues in the water.
Cassandra Bishop
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Cassandra is our Designated Safeguarding Lead for all Avant sites and Partners. With 13 years' experience in education Safeguarding and Pastoral Management across various settings, she is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of young people in our community. Passionate about supporting our learners, Cassandra is committed to helping them achieve their full potential and thrive in all aspects of life.
Cheslea Allen
Programme Tutor Assessor (Hairdressing)
Chelsea joined our ever-growing Hairdressing team in July 2025 as a Programme Tutor Assessor and demonstrates expertise through a wealth of experience. With 12 years dedicated to the craft, she possesses a deep understanding of the industry. In addition to teaching, Chelsea’s spare time is invested in running her hairdressing business. This commitment ensures she remains current with the latest trends and techniques. This dedication ultimately benefits the learners through relevant and up-to-date instruction.
Dave Thompson
Programme Tutor Assessor (Content & Skills)
If anyone understands the benefits of being an apprentice, it’s our Programme Tutor Assessor for Content and Skills, Dave Thompson, who started as an apprentice in 2006 working for the organisation. Dave is the perfect role model to our pre-apprenticeship learners and apprentices, having won ‘Apprentice Of The Year’ in 2009. Throughout the week, he oversees the delivery of the pre-apprenticeship programme as well as delivering on the Content Creator apprenticeship.
David Thompson
Programme Tutor Assessor (Management)
Dave joined us in 2018 and delivers on our management programmes across the Humber and on online across the country. Initially delivering on our customer service practitioner apprenticeship and during his time teaching on the programme, over 94% of apprentices achieved a distinction grade. With his previous industry experience, Dave moved on to delivering the Team Leader/Supervisor apprenticeship and Operations/Departmental Manager at level 5. Dave is also an experienced maths tutor, assisting apprentices with functional skills across all programmes.
Dionne Smith
Compliance and Contracts Administrator
Dionne came back to Avant in April 2025, after previously working for us and taking a career break. She has worked in the education sector since 2005, having begun her career with a national provider. Dionne is a product of the system having undertaken a Pre-Apprenticeship programme upon leaving school and progressing through her level 2, 3 and 4 Apprenticeships. She has worked on various funding programmes and has a wealth of skills and knowledge in the Sector. As our Compliance and Contracts Administrator, she supports the implementation and management of funding body and programme requirements, providing assurance of compliance with funding and finance requirements, especially with sub-contracted provision.
Ellis Stewart
Programme Tutor Assessor (Skills Experience)
Ellis is one of our Programme Tutor Assessor based in Hull. She joined us at the start of 2024 and has previously delivered on the study programme since 2018. Ellis is also an experienced health and social care tutor, having several years of experience working in the sector supporting individuals with mental illnesses, disabilities and with dementia and delivering qualifications to students aged 16 – 19. Ellis is very passionate about giving students the opportunity to progress and achieve their full potential.
Jane Patterson
Curriculum and Quality Consultant
Jane is our Curriculum and Quality Consultant and started with the organisation in 2003. She has worked in the education and skills sector since 1994 and has held several roles including. Area Manager, Area Verifier, Contract Manager and Head of Quality to name but a few! Jane is a fully qualified teacher and has delivered on many teacher training programmes to support Work Based Learning providers across the Humber. She now supports the Curriculum, Quality and Compliance teams with advice and guidance.
Jane Wright
Head of Quality and Compliance
Jane is our Head of Quality and Compliance and joined us at the start of 2023. She has worked in education and training since 2000 across apprenticeships, traineeships and Adult Education Budget programmes. Jane has experience in centre and operational management, quality and compliance, leading teams both regionally and nationally. She is a qualified Assessor / Internal Verifier and teacher and is part of the safeguarding team, ensuring that all of our learners are safe whilst on our programmes.
Jess Gillatt
Apprenticeship Engagement Co-ordinator (Hull)
Jess joined us in July 2025 as as Apprenticeship Engagement Co-ordinator, based in Hull and has a wide range of experience, spanning education, healthcare and mentoring. She has an excellent knowledge base surrounding apprenticeships, and is always willing to go the extra mile to provide support to our learners and employers alike. As a firm believer in empowering individuals to become their best selves, Jess embodies our organisation's vision to provide a person-centred approach to help individuals progress within their careers.
Jo Johnson
Apprenticeship Engagement Co-ordinator (Hull)
Jo is our Apprenticeship Engagement Coordinator, with previous experience as a beauty lecturer and apprenticeship work based assessor. Jo brings a strong understanding of learner journeys and employer needs, building positive relationships that support meaningful progression into education and employment. Jo is passionate about connecting people to opportunities, engaging with local businesses, and promoting apprenticeships as a valuable pathway for growth. Her approachable nature, strong communication skills, and people focused approach make her a key link between learners, employers and training providers.
Leah Goodhand
Receptionist & Administration Assistant (Grimsby)
Leah is our Receptionist & Administration Assistant in Grimsby. She started with us on the pre-apprenticeship programme in 2020, progressing to a Data Technician Apprenticeship in which she achieved a Merit. In recognition of Leah’s hard work, she was awarded the ‘Avant Apprentice of the Year’ at the 2022 Awards Evening. After working with the Quality Team for two years, Leah changed roles in September 2025 and now is the first face you would see when visiting our Grimsby training centre. Leah supports the effective running of the centre with general administration functions as well as the safeguarding team with learner attendance.
Louise Scott
Programme Tutor Assessor (Hairdressing)
Louise joined us in August 2025 as a hairdressing Programme Tutor Assessor, growing our hairdressing team further. With over 20 years of experience in the hairdressing industry, she has built her career around creativity, precision and professionalism. Louise now channels that expertise into teaching and assessing learners, guiding them as they develop their skills and confidence. Her passion lies in helping others grow, ensuring they're industry-ready and inspired to succeed. Louise take pride in shaping the next generation of hairdressers through structured learning and mentorship and real-world insight.
Lynne Godfrey
Programme Tutor Assessor (Administration)
Lynne is one of our Programme Tutor Assessors specialising in Business Administration and Customer Service as well as having experience in as experience in Management and as a Functional Skills tutor. She joined us in 2023 and brings over 20 years of experience in work-based learning and apprenticeships. Lynne is not only a qualified teacher but also an internal verifier and an End Point Assessment assessor so is well placed to support her apprentices. Lynne is keen to develop the workforce of the future.
Mary Irish
Centre Manager (Hull)
Mary is our Programme Delivery Manager. She initially joined the Quality Team in September 2024 and brought with her over 30 years of experience working in education, skills and training sectors. Mary has extensive Further Education experience, contract managing Apprenticeship training providers, audit, monitoring, quality and inspection experience. From September 2025, she took on a new challenge and now leads all directly delivered learning programmes across the organisation, ensuring we provide a high quality learning experience for all our learners and employers.
Lucy Campbell
Learner Engagement Coordinator
Lucy is our Learner Engagement Coordinator, working for Avant since 2021. Her role is to interview applicants who apply for our apprenticeship and Traineeship programmes. She is keen to interview applicants that are motivated, enthusiastic and willing to learn! Lucy also promotes Avant at schools and colleges across the Humber so you may have seen her! She has
supported young people and adults for over 20 years in the addiction field and brings many transferrable skills to the role.
Paul Robinson
Head of Marketing
Paul is our Head of Marketing and leads the Engagement Team. Paul has worked for the organisation since 2004 and in the education and skills sector since 2000. With his industry, management and qualified teacher status, Paul has been instrumental in the development of our pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programmes as well as more recently leading on Safeguarding and Prevent. He now leads marketing, social media, developing our communication strategy and spreading the word about Avant Skills Academy.
Sara Fields
Programme Tutor Assessor (Hairdressing)
Sara is our hairdressing Programme Tutor Assessor for Hull and joined us in 2022 as part of our growth and expansion. She has over 20 years experience in the hairdressing industry with 10 of those years owning a successful salon in Hull. Sara has a wealth of knowledge in the hairdressing sector and enjoys working with apprentices and employers to develop her apprentices into the cutting edge stylists of the future.
Simon Hewson
Apprenticeship Engagement Co-ordinator (Grimsby)
Simon joined us in July 2025 as an Apprenticeship Engagement Co-ordinator. With 34 years’ experience in the recruitment, welfare to work and apprenticeship sectors, he brings a wealth of experience to the organisation. With a passion for guiding and mentoring young people on their career journeys and supporting local employers in identifying areas to support team growth and development, Simon is keen to meet with local businesses, large and small, to discuss training opportunities. He will even bring biscuits!!!
Stacey Rogers
Head of Quality, Compliance and Curriculum
Stacey is our Head of Quality, Compliance and Curriculum and has worked for Avant since 2015 and in the education sector since leaving school in 2007. She is a product of the system beginning with a Pre-Employment programme, and progressing through level 2, 3 and 4 Apprenticeships. Stacey has progressed through a number of roles in the organisation, recently leading all directly delivered learning programmes across the organisation. From September 2025, Stacey has returned to her quality roots and is leading on quality improvement, compliance and curriculum, ensuring we achieve our vision of becoming the best provider in the area!
Steve Roe
Chief Executive
Steve is the Chief Executive, founder and owner of Avant Skills Academy. A qualified leader, manager and trainer with over 30 years management experience in education and skills, he has worked with and for a range of learning providers and funding bodies, so there’s not much he doesn’t know about the sector. This experience and knowledge is fully utilised in leading the team at Avant and drives Steve’s passion for us to be the best learning provider in the area.
Tammy Johnson
Director of Operations
Tammy is our Director of Operations and has worked for the organisation since 2003 and in the education and skills sector since 1999. She led on many of the projects delivered by Avant and its previous charity CfL including promoting
Apprenticeships in Schools, Apprenticeship Handbooks, Apprenticeship Graduation ceremonies and the development of pre-16 programmes. Tammy has extensive knowledge and experience in compliance and contracting and has a passion to ensure that local young people and employers benefit from
local training.
Teresa Wade
Compliance Administrator
Teresa joined the team at the start of 2024 as a Delivery Administrator. Over the past 36 years working in the Education Sector, Teresa has worked on various funded training programmes and has built up a variety of expertise, knowledge and understanding in this field of work. As our new Compliance Administrator, Teresa now supports the implementation and management of funding body and programme requirements, providing assurance of compliance with funding and finance requirements.
Vikki Price
Programme Tutor Assessor (Functional Skills)
Victoria is our Functional Skills maths and English tutor and joined us in November 2025. She is passionate about helping students develop both their analytical and communication skills that will serve them beyond the classroom. With almost 15 years of experience of guiding learners through complex problem- solving in mathematics and fostering clear, confident expression in English. She strives to create lessons that are engaging, supportive and tailored to individual needs.