The Company was formed in April 2003 as the Isle of Wight School of Food and Wine Limited to provide apprenticeship training within the Hospitality sector on the Isle of Wight.

In June 2004, the Company achieved its Investors in People accreditation and changed its name to Smart Training and Recruitment Limited in order to become less occupationally and geographically specific. At the same time we moved to its new premises in Castlehold Lane, Newport and commenced the delivery of training in customer service and retail sectors.

In August 2005 the Company gained its Matrix accreditation, a framework for the effective delivery of information, advice and/or guidance on learning and work. In August 2006 business administration programmes commenced.

Until August 2007, Smart Training and Recruitment solely operated on the Isle of Wight, however after a tendering process, we were successful in gaining Government training contracts in Dorset, Hampshire and Sussex in addition to the Isle of Wight contract. At the same time we commenced delivery of our management and team leader qualifications.

In October 2007, Smart Training and Recruitment were subject to an Ofsted Inspection in order to assess the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of our education and training provision in meeting the needs of learners. During their four day inspection they found that “The overall effectiveness of Smart Training and Recruitment is good. Leadership and management are good and the arrangements for equality of opportunity are outstanding. Provision in hospitality and catering and business administration and law are good”. The full report can accessed by clicking here.

In January 2008, the Company’s South West base was opened at 1 Wootton Gardens, Bournemouth. This was the first step in rapid and sustained growth, our Knowle office (serving the central region) was opened in September 2008 and in December 2008 the Company’s South East Office in Winchester was formally opened.

Smart Training and Recruitment is an independent training provider owned and managed by Dean Hopkinson and Jan Hopkinson. Jan has worked in the hospitality sector from the age of 16 working her way up to General Manager of a Trust House Forte hotel. With a passion for people and their development, she joined a training company in 1995 and now Smart Training and Recruitment. Dean, a qualified accountant, has been working in the education sector since 1998.

As of December 2008 the company has 1000 people in learning, with an aim to reach 2,000 by December 2009. It is planned to open other regional centres in 2009 in Manchester, London and Brighton.

Over the last four years, the two Directors have embedded a culture of continuous improvement that is both learner centric and employer focused. This ethos is the basis of the company’s key aims for the next three years. These are:-

1. To provide excellence in our learning and teaching activities, leading to standards beyond those set by our Awarding and Funding Bodies.
2. To continually improve levels of learner retention and achievement at Smart Training and Recruitment.
3. To increase the levels of engagement between employers and Smart Training and Recruitment to ensure employee skills improve in line with employer needs.
4. To make a positive contribution to the educational, social, economic and cultural enrichment in the communities we serve.
5. To continually promote ourselves as an inclusive provider.
6. To maintain a well resourced training company.
7. To continue to develop Smart Training and Recruitment as an employer of excellence, capable of attracting, supporting and retaining staff of the highest quality.