FIRST is a learning and development agency, empowering enterprise skills and entrepreneurship in collaboration with government, employers, education and community organisations. Our accredited courses, workshops, consultancy and events inspire courage, self-belief and motivation, giving learners equitable opportunities to progress into meaningful education, decent work or resilient self-employment. Specifically working with underrepresented groups, our work facilitates inclusive economic growth by challenging the status quo and improving the quality of entry-level teaching and learning within enterprise skills and entrepreneurship.We have contributed millions in social return on investment for the North East economy, and improved the quality of life for thousands of learners in some of the UK's most under-resourced communities.