Recruitment firm Matchtech Group is to launch a new company to focus on the education and training sectors.

Alderwood Education will launch on 28 May and will initially focus on three core areas: work-based learning; college tutoring and lecturing; and welfare to work.

The move is a direct response to government plans to put the UK skills agenda up the priority list. Matchtech is hoping the number of registered candidates will go up from 28,000 to 40,000 as a result.

Anton Roe, director, said: “The creation of a separate company was a natural move for us, and will enable us to consolidate and build on our success in education and skills.”