Realise Training Group acquires Brookhouse to expand energy training reach
What's the deal? Realise Training Group has acquired Brookhouse, an award-winning Yorkshire-based training provider, to strengthen its energy training offer through its Smart Energy Training division. The deal gives Smart Energy Training a foothold in the North of England, extending beyond its four existing Midlands locations.
Brookhouse, founded in 2016 and based in Cleckheaton, delivers Gas Managed Learning Programmes for people entering gas engineering, alongside ACS Gas Reassessment courses. It trains around 120 people a year, including ex-military personnel through a resettlement scheme.
Former managing director James McConnell has stepped down to pursue other ventures. Brookhouse's courses will continue as scheduled.
Why now? The UK faces a significant skills gap across gas and renewable energy sectors. Paul Drew, interim director of Smart Energy Training, pointed to "rising demand, an ageing workforce and a shrinking pool of qualified engineers" as key drivers.
The acquisition follows other recent deals by Smart Energy Training as Realise pursues a broader growth strategy in the energy training sector.
What could go wrong? Integrating a small, founder-led business into a larger group always carries risk. Brookhouse built its reputation on a personal, high-touch approach — including an impressive track record of placing learners into employment. Maintaining that culture under new ownership will be the key challenge.
The signal: The UK's push toward net zero and electrification is creating urgent demand for skilled energy workers. Training providers are consolidating to meet that demand at scale, snapping up specialist outfits with established reputations. Smart Energy Training plans to diversify Brookhouse's offering into renewables and wider technical skills — a clear sign that the energy transition is reshaping workforce development from the ground up.
Read more: realisetraining.group
