24 Jun 2025
We’re thrilled to announce that, on Friday 30 May, we agreed to continue Plus Skills Development Ltd’s support for young people as its founders, Nigel Longstaff and Paul Townsley, start a new journey in retirement.
Plus Skills Development Ltd, known as Skills Centre PLUS, runs three centres in Scunthorpe. It offers skills and qualifications for young people with additional needs or disabilities through vocational courses like hair and beauty therapy, vehicle maintenance and joinery. Its students have won the Tycoon Innovative Business Award from the Peter Jones Foundation twice, recognising Skills Centre PLUS entrepreneurial, nurturing approach to learning.
Greg Bacon, Chief Executive at Acis Group, said, “We’re thrilled to be able to continue the work that Nigel, Paul and the team have done to build such a great asset for young people in this community. We already have tenants who live in North Lincolnshire, so we know the area well, and Skills Centre PLUS programmes align perfectly with our vision to be there for people when they need us.”
Nigel Longstaff said, “We couldn’t imagine leaving Skills Centre PLUS in any better hands. The work that Acis Group does to support its communities is inspiring, going way beyond homes and tenant support. They really are Lincolnshire’s best kept secret when it comes to helping people improve their situation. We want to reassure our students, their families and our teams that Skills Centre PLUS isn’t going anywhere, and this next step in our journey is a positive one. We’re humbled to have been able to support our young people for the last 11 years, and it’s an honour to see all they’ve gone on to achieve.”
Along with the three Skills Centre PLUS premises, we also welcome all 25 members of the Skills Centre PLUS team into the Group, increasing our expertise in education and skills. We already offer alternative education provision, Flare, for young people in our Gainsborough and Mablethorpe Clip centres. Flare is a community learning programme that’s built around young people's needs. It gives them real experiences designed to support them in their next stage of life. Skills Centre PLUS opportunities will mean we’re even better equipped to support Lincolnshire’s young people to thrive.
Greg added, “We want to celebrate the legacy that Nigel and Paul are leaving, and we know we’ll do them proud in continuing this invaluable support for young people.”
