Our History
See How We Have Evolved
A Brief History of Pitman Training
1837
Sir Isaac Pitman perfects the shorthand system.
Isaac Pitman, a self-taught scholar who concluded his formal education at 13, undertakes the initiative to teach himself a primitive form of shorthand to enhance his academic pursuits.
1870
Sir Isaac Pitman founds a school.
His students qualify as ‘shorthand writers
to professional and commercial men’.
1889
Pitman Training’s Metropolitan School opens in Southampton Row.
Southampton Row location accommodates 1,500 students, most reaching speeds of 130 words per minute.
1894
Isaac Pitman is knighted by Queen Victoria.
1903
Winston Churchill MP describes Pitman Training as:
“Without
equal in the whole world,
equipped as it is with every
improvement, which thought
and science can suggest, for
the training of students in
commercial life.”
1914
At the beginning of World War 1
women were recruited to fill much needed vacancies on the home front. Pitman Training opens extra branches
to cope with the demand. Typing and bookkeeping skills are especially popular.
1939
War breaks out again
Once more women learn new
skills from Pitman Training to take over the jobs of the
men who are fighting.
1955
Pitman Training becomes the largest training network in the UK.
1992
BFA Membership awarded.
Franchise operation established with the opening of 4 new Pitman Training Centres.
1994
The first Irish Pitman Training Centre opens in Dublin
and Pitman Training achieves 50 centres.
2000
Web-based learning programme initiated.
“Typing Course for Beginners” converted to an online course called “Compkey”.
2011
Pitman launches new Business English course in association with Cambridge University.
2013
First national roadshow:
#PitmanOnTour
The Pitman Career Mechanics hit the road in their campervan, to run diagnostic tests on the nation’s career-seekers.
2016
New online student campus and website launched.
Our global expansion initiative continues, with the inclusion of new centres in Palestine and Russia.
2017
Voted a UK Business Superbrand for the 4th consecutive year.
2018
Pitman Training launches operations in Pakistan and Kenya.
2019
Pitman Training joins the LaunchLife International network.
2021
Growth of the network continues as 10 new franchises open.
We are proud of our unrivalled history -
we want you to become part of our future...
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