Apprenticeship Providers Completion Rates: Excellent News

We're Flying High!

It’s been a long time coming, but we’re really pleased to say that our official completion rates for us as apprenticeship providers have finally been updated on the government’s “Find an Apprenticeship” website (visit it via this link)

Why does this matter? Because, for a long time, the data shown for us, as apprenticeship providers, has been inaccurate and outdated, as it can take up to a year for these figures to refresh. As a result, organisations, like us here at Swarm Training, who are working hard behind the scenes to support learners and drive real success, often have our true figures unreported.

But as of this update, we’re thrilled to say our true completion rates are now updated and accurate. As a result, we’re now sitting at the top of the list for the Market Research Executive Apprenticeship (learn more about this apprenticeship here). We recorded an achievement rate of 90.9% for the period 2023-2024, which is fantastic. We have had similar results in many of our other apprenticeship training schemes, too! We are proud to show off our results, so we’re very pleased they are now being shared accurately on such an important website for apprenticeships. It reflects the dedication of our team and the amazing achievements of our fantastic learners.

Why the Data Matters — and Why It’s Not the Whole Story

While this update is great news, it also highlights a bigger issue. Many potential learners and potential businesses looking to take on an apprentice rely heavily on government websites when researching apprenticeship providers. As we can testify, these platforms aren’t always up to date or accurate.

Therefore, when choosing a training provider for your staff, we recommend that you don’t base your decision solely on the statistics you see reported by third-party websites, especially when it comes to stats like completion rates. They’re important, absolutely (otherwise we wouldn't be celebrating our amazing achievements), but they rarely tell the full story of how a training provider will be a good fit for your business. It is vitally important that you do your research.

Ask the Right Questions

Choosing from the many apprenticeship providers out there isn’t always easy. That’s why we encourage anyone exploring apprenticeship routes to do a bit of digging:

• Contact the provider directly:

Ask for the most up-to-date figures that they have, not just what’s listed online.

• Check their social media:

You’ll often find real-time updates, learner stories, tutor insights, and more on their posts. We certainly like to add all our achievements to our platforms: find us on Facebook; Instagram; LinkedIn; YouTube and X.

• Read their Ofsted reports:

These give a wider view of how apprenticeship providers operate and support learners. Our most up-to-date report has rated Swarm Training as a 'Good Provider' with an exceptional overall apprenticeship completion rate across all of our courses of over 70%, which we know is very high in the industry. Moreover, Ofsted awarded us outstanding for our leadership and management and gave us an outstanding for the behaviour and attitudes of our learners. This was a direct result of the work ethic and professionalism we foster and inspire our apprentices to adopt, too. You can read about our recent Ofsted report here.

What Makes Great Apprenticeship Providers?

Completion rates are a helpful indicator when you are searching for apprenticeships, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle. When you are looking for apprenticeship providers, please consider the following factors too:

• Specialist Experience

Does the provider focus on your chosen business field? Do they have real expertise in the subject matter, or are they just offering a broad menu of courses? Here at Swarm Training, we specialise in a great range of business apprenticeships and a select range of engineering and industrial apprenticeships because we have that specialist expertise.

• Industry-Relevant Tutors

Great tutors make a huge difference. Look for apprenticeship providers where the tutors have direct experience in the industry. People who’ve worked in the roles you want your apprentices trained in have the very best qualifications, and their hands-on knowledge is invaluable to learners. That's certainly the case here at Swarm Training, where our team thrives on supporting the next generation.

Supportive Structure

Learning while working is tough. Make sure your provider offers the right kind of support. Ask about coaching, feedback, and how often you’ll connect with your tutor or mentor. We like our apprentices to meet with their personal tutor once a month for training and one-to-one support for their personal development. In addition to this, we offer monthly enrichment programs to help apprentices hone their time management and presentation skills and their personal branding.

Learner Outcomes

What happens after the apprenticeship? Find out where former learners ended up. Did they stay in the sector? Progress into new roles? These stories are just as important as stats. We love to celebrate our success stories in our blog (click here to visit our blog page) and via our reviews (follow this link to watch our apprentice review videos and read further reviews).

Partnering with the Right Apprenticeship Providers Matters

When you are looking to invest in your people, whether it's new talent or your existing team, selecting the right partner from a host of apprenticeship providers is crucial. Apprenticeships aren't just for school leavers. They’re a powerful tool for building capability across all levels of your organisation. By working with a provider who understands your industry and delivers relevant, high-quality training, you're not just ticking a box; you're developing well-rounded, confident professionals. These individuals will contribute massively to your business and its success.

Now, with our newly updated completion rates reflecting the true quality of our programmes, we're proud to be recognised as a trusted partner in helping businesses upskill and grow. As a Community Interest Company, we put the needs of our customers and staff before the needs of shareholders. As a result, we always tailor our support to match your requirements. Our training provides the best results for you and your apprentices.

Final Thoughts

We’re incredibly proud that our updated figures now accurately reflect the outcomes we’ve always known we were delivering. But more importantly, we want businesses and learners to be informed and confident when choosing between apprenticeship providers.

So take your time. Ask questions. And choose the provider who not only delivers the course you want, but also understands your goals, your values, and offers the right guidance to help you get there.

If you’re interested in any of our programmes, we’d love to talk. Just follow this link to get in touch with us.