How to become an employer-provider

The apprenticeship levy opens a lot of doors for employers.

Often, businesses use the money to upskill their workforce, develop a pipeline of talent, and invest in professional development… 

But there's a real opportunity to be found in delivering your OWN training.  

Instead of issuing an invitation to tender, and signing a contract with a training provider, you could create your own programmes which suit your style of work, so you don't have to compromise on content. Plus, if you're savvy about choosing training tools you could save time and money and get the best ROI on your apprenticeship levy payments.  

It's the perfect solution for some employers - but it does require commitment. For example, you'll need to hire training and assessment staff, liaise with EPA organisations and prepare for the inevitable Ofsted inspection.  

If being an employer-provider sounds like the right move for you, here's what you need to do to get your own apprenticeship delivery up and running:  

The APAR

First off, you need to apply to be on the Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). If you pass all the requirements and due diligence checks, you're likely to be accepted. Welcome aboard! If not, don't be disheartened - the window for applications reopens regularly, so you can use the time to brush up on your apprenticeship knowledge and reapply. 

Staff & standards

Make sure you have the right people in place to support you in delivering apprenticeships.  

It's worth looking at which roles and skills you need in future. Assess what capability your business already has, and identify areas where there are gaps.  

Then, it's worth researching standards, assessment plans, and methodologies online. That way, you can check staff have the required skillset to help you, or you can recruit additional expertise in a clear and targeted way.  

Funding & performance management 

As an employer-provider, you'll want to claim the correct costs from their digital or co-investment account. But the rules change each year, so make sure your team stays up to date in terms of knowledge. 

It's worth brushing up on all the funding rules involved in apprenticeships before you start any programmes to make sure you don't get caught out.  

Ofsted inspections 

All organisations which deliver apprenticeships are inspected by Ofsted to ensure programmes are up to scratch. 

If you're new to delivering apprenticeships, you might not have had an Ofsted inspection before. To make you feel more relaxed and fully prepare, find out what to expect.   

End-point assessment

When your staff reach the end of their apprenticeship, they have to complete the end-point assessment (EPA).  

EPAs vary widely depending on which standards an employer has selected. Options include exams, portfolio showcases, interviews and projects, or a combination of the above.  

Whatever the requirements for your programme, you must link up with an external EPA organisations to independently verify your staff's achievements.  

Delivering apprenticeships in-house takes time and dedication, but ultimately it can really pay off for your business and your staff.

Download our step-by-step guide to the 3 separate routes to becoming a fully-fledged employer-provider.