Apprenticeship Training Providers for Professional Growth
Introduction
Is it time for you to connect with the world of apprenticeship training providers?
According to recent reports from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the current job market is starting to cool. Unemployment figures are sadly rising, whilst the number of vacancies has fallen overall. (Please follow this link to see their latest report in full.) This is always a sad shift when it happens, but for businesses, of course, it does mean they can be more selective about who they recruit.
In this climate, investing in apprenticeships makes more sense than ever. With a larger pool of candidates actively looking for work, businesses have the opportunity to attract the most highly motivated individuals eager to learn and develop their skills. Apprenticeships allow organisations to shape talent from the ground up, tailoring training to meet specific business needs. This is where apprenticeship training providers play a crucial role.
If you’re a business leader or hiring manager, you may be wondering exactly how apprenticeships can benefit your organisation. Or perhaps you are considering how to find the right apprenticeship training provider to support your growth goals.
This blog will guide you through everything you need to know. From understanding the role of apprenticeship training providers to how they help businesses and individuals achieve growth.
What Are Apprenticeship Training Providers?
Put simply, apprenticeship training providers, like Swarm Training, are organisations approved to deliver apprenticeship programmes. We work with businesses to design, deliver, and manage structured training that combines on-the-job learning with formal education.
We provide the link between the apprentice, the employer, and the government’s apprenticeship framework. Our job is to ensure apprentices gain the right skills, knowledge, and qualifications to thrive in the workplace.
We handle key elements such as:
Recruiting suitable apprentices.
Delivering tailored training programmes.
Managing compliance with government standards.
Supporting both employers and apprentices throughout the journey.
Why Businesses Work With Apprenticeship Training Providers
Businesses of all sizes are beginning to realise that apprenticeships are not just for school leavers. They are a powerful way to train new hires and upskill existing staff.
Let's look at the main reasons businesses choose to work with apprenticeship training providers:
1. Bridging the Skills Gap
Every industry faces skills shortages. Whether it’s digital skills, leadership, engineering, carpentry, accounting, or HR, apprenticeships provide a practical solution for the skills gap. Providers, like ourselves, deliver industry-relevant training that addresses real business needs.
2. Cost-Effective Talent Development
Hiring and training can be an expensive investment for companies. The good news? Apprenticeships are heavily funded by the government. If your business pays into the Apprenticeship Levy, you can reclaim those funds. Even non-levy-paying businesses can receive up to 95% of training costs covered, and if your apprentice is under 21, then the training is 100% funded. Please visit the government website here for more details.
3. Tailored Learning
Apprenticeship training providers design programmes that fit around your business and your industry needs. Training can be delivered online, in person, or as a mixture of both. This flexibility ensures minimal disruption while maximising learning. At Swarm, we deliver business training online, which is most suitable for those courses as it makes them accessible UK-wide. But we are also proud to have a dedicated centre for our industrial engineering training. Please visit the Swarm REAGIT website here for full details.
4. Improved Staff Retention
Apprentices often stay longer with companies that invest in them. When staff see a clear path for growth and development, they are more engaged, motivated, and loyal. This is particularly important at this current time. With a shrinking job market, skilled workers will be less tempted by head hunters if they feel appreciated, supported, and loyal to their firm.
5. Boosting Professional Growth Internally
Apprenticeships are not just for entry-level roles. Many businesses use them to upskill existing employees into higher-skilled, leadership, or technical positions. This supports continuous professional development across the company.
How Apprenticeship Training Providers Support Professional Growth
The journey with an apprenticeship training provider is collaborative. Here’s how it typically works at Swarm Training:
Step 1: Understanding Your Needs
We consult with your business to understand your goals. Whether you need to fill skills gaps, grow leadership capability, or recruit fresh talent, we can advise you on the right apprenticeship standards.
Step 2: Recruitment Support
Swarm Training is part of a wider Swarm family that also includes Swarm Recruitment. (You can visit Swarm Recruitment via this link.) Consequently, we can help source suitable candidates for your apprenticeships and recruitment for those roles is FREE. We can advertise vacancies, screen applicants, and match the right apprentice to your company culture.
Step 3: Designing the Training Plan
We will work with you to develop a training plan. This combines hands-on workplace learning with structured training sessions. The plan aligns with both your business needs and the national apprenticeship standards.
Step 4: Delivery of Training
Training is delivered in a range of formats:
Online workshops.
In-person sessions.
On-the-job coaching.
Regular assessments to track progress.
Step 5: Ongoing Support
Apprenticeship training providers, like Swarm Training, don’t just deliver training. We provide ongoing support for both the apprentice and your business. Progress reviews, mentoring, and feedback are built into the full process.
Step 6: End-Point Assessment and Certification
At the end of the programme, the apprentice undergoes a final assessment, their EPA. Once passed, they receive a nationally recognised qualification, boosting their professional credentials and the skills of your workforce.
Choosing the Right Apprenticeship Training Providers
Not all providers are the same. Therefore, it’s important to choose one that understands your industry, offers flexible delivery, and provides high-quality support. Many providers, like ourselves, specialise in specific apprenticeship schemes.
Key Factors to Consider:
Accreditation: Look for the provider on the government’s register of approved apprenticeship training providers (APAR). They need to be listed to be able to deliver apprenticeship training for you (View the register here)
Experience: Do they have experience in your industry or sector?
Flexibility: Can they adapt delivery to suit your business operations?
Support: Will they offer consistent support to both your business and the apprentice?
Success Rates: Check their apprenticeship completion rates and employer satisfaction scores. (Swarm Training has an impressive achievement rate of over 70% and a Good Provider rating from Ofsted
Real Business Benefits: Case Example
Take, for example, a growing digital PA company in London. They needed skilled PAs and secretaries for their clients. By partnering with Swarm Training, they recruited a level 3 Business Administrator apprentice, Gracie. We tailored the training to incorporate medical secretarial roles.
Before even completing her apprenticeship, Gracie was promoted from Junior Medical Admin Assistant to Trainee Medical Secretary, with the hope that within months, she would be a fully trained Medical Secretary. The business was so delighted by Gracie's progress that they went on to recruit a further 3 apprentices to follow suit.
Apprenticeships Are For More Than Entry-Level Roles
As we alluded to earlier, many businesses still believe apprenticeships are only for young school leavers. This is a myth.
Apprenticeships are available from Level 2 (entry-level) right up to Level 7 (equivalent to a Master’s degree). You can train staff in areas like accounting and administration, business management, Marketing and market research, HR, engineering, and other skilled trades roles.
Professional growth isn’t just for new hires. Apprenticeship training providers work with businesses to upskill existing teams, ensuring they meet the demands of modern industries.
How to Get Started
Working with an apprenticeship training provider is straightforward. Here’s how to begin:
Contact a provider: Discuss your business needs with them in detail.
If you would like to speak to us, contact Louie on louie@swarmgroup.org.ukSelect the right apprenticeship standard: Ensure you align it with your specific job roles. Here is our list of Apprenticeship standards in Business and in Engineering
Decide who to train: Recruit new talent, upskill existing staff, or have a combination; you are not limited to having just one apprentice.
Agree on a delivery model: Make sure it is flexible around your business operations.
Start training: Begin the journey toward having a highly skilled, future-ready workforce.
Final Thoughts
In a world where skills shortages are expanding, investing in apprenticeships and team development to bring in those missing skills you need to grow is one of the smartest moves a business can make. We hope, from this blog post, that you now fully understand that Apprenticeship training providers are more than just educators. They are partners in helping your business grow, develop, and succeed.
If you’re ready to unlock professional growth within your company, it’s time to explore what apprenticeship training providers can do for you.
Ready to future-proof your workforce? Talk to Swarm Training today — trusted apprenticeship training providers helping UK businesses grow skilled professionals.
Click here to start your business’s apprenticeship journey.