Guidance published on register of apprenticeship training providers

The register of apprenticeship training providers is a list of organisations that are eligible to receive government funding to train apprentices.

There are a few things you need to consider before becoming a registered apprenticeship training provider.

Applying to the register of apprenticeship training providers

1. Choose an application route.
2. Check your eligibility.
3. Read the application guidance to check you have everything you need.
4. Apply using the Department for Education portal (Bravo).

If your organisation is eligible and not currently listed on the register, you can apply. There is no deadline and the portal will remain open for applications.

ESFA will start to assess applications on the first working day of each month for any applications received during the previous month. It usually takes around 12 weeks to assess an application, but it can sometimes take longer. We will keep you informed on the progress of your application.

If your organisation is currently on the register, you will need to reapply. We will be inviting organisations to reapply in phases, during 2019.

If your application is unsuccessful, we will provide feedback. You will be able to apply twice within a 12-month period.

Choose an application route

There are 3 application routes onto the register.

Main provider route

This is for providers who will directly deliver apprenticeship training for employers who use the apprenticeship service to pay for training. Providers that meet this requirement can also provide apprenticeship training to their own employees or those of connected companies and act as subcontractors for other providers.

This route is also for providers who provide apprenticeship training for employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy. ESFA awarded these contracts in January 2018.

Employer provider route

This is for employers who will directly deliver training to their own employees or those of connected companies and use the apprenticeship service to pay for apprenticeship training. Providers that meet this requirement can also act as subcontractors.

Supporting provider route

This is for organisations who will enter into subcontracts with main providers and employer providers to deliver apprenticeship training. This can be up to a maximum value of £500,000 per year in total. For organisations with no history of apprenticeship delivery according to recent records we hold, this is limited to £100,000 in their first year on the register.

Check your eligibility

To be eligible, all applicants must have:

• a valid UK provider reference number (UKPRN)
• a valid Information Commissioner’s Office registration number for education and training
• a registered UK business address
• read what you need to know about being an apprenticeship training provider

Applicants to the main provider or employer provider route must also have:

• been actively trading for at least 12 months and have financial information to support this
• the ability to train apprentices in the first 12 months of joining the register
• a management structure that has experience of developing and delivering training

Applicants to the supporting provider route must have been actively trading for a minimum of 3 months.

Applicants must not have an inadequate Ofsted grade for apprenticeships (or for overall effectiveness under its FE and skills remit where there is no separate apprenticeships grade) in their latest inspection report.

Application guidance

In your application, you must be able to provide evidence showing:

• who’s involved with apprenticeships in your organisation
• your financial status and ability to meet any financial commitments
• how you evaluate the quality of training and outcomes
• how you assess prior learning
• how your leaders and managers document and define clear expectations of setting high standards for apprenticeship training
• your employees’ experience in training including qualifications
• the process of professional development for your employees
• your plan for continuity of apprenticeship delivery as well as equality and diversity, safeguarding and health and safety policies
• how you engage with employers and your contracting arrangements with them (only main providers)
• the commitment statement template you will use to support the apprenticeships (only main or employer providers)

The application guidance explains:

• what you need for your application
• the application process
• the conditions of acceptance to the register that you’ll need to agree to as part of making your application
• what happens after you apply

Conditions of acceptance (PDF, 406KB, 3 pages)

Application guidance

Application guidance (PDF, 741KB, 48 pages)

Template for your management hierarchy (OD-12) (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 48.3KB)

Template for your employees experience (CC-PP-12) (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 256KB)

Removing an apprenticeship training provider from the register

We will remove a training provider if they no longer meet our requirements. This includes removing a provider that receives an inadequate Ofsted gradefor apprenticeships (or for overall effectiveness under its FE and skills remit where there is no separate apprenticeships grade).