Investing in apprenticeships is one of the best ways to strengthen your workforce. And one of the crucial decisions you will need to make is which training provider you will use to deliver the apprenticeship.
As a leading apprenticeship provider, Damar Training understand the sector and can give you the guidance you need to select the right partner. In this blog, we outline the key factors to consider and the questions to ask so that you choose the right apprenticeship provider that can support your long-term growth.
Key considerations
A successful apprenticeship is a partnership between you (the employer), the apprentice and your training provider. You will work with your provider to deliver off-the-job training and ensure that your apprentice gains the specific knowledge, skills, and behaviours that they need to succeed in their role.
With hundreds of apprenticeship training providers to choose from, it’s important to know where to start. And, when you’re evaluating a list of potential partners, there are a few things to consider.
Success rates and track record
A provider’s reputation is a strong indicator of their quality. You will want to seek out a partner that has a strong reputation and a proven history of success. Look out for:
- Ofsted ratings: Choose a provider that has a ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ rating
- Success rates: Look on the Find a Training Provider website or ask the provider for their pass rates
- Legacy: A lot of providers come and go, so look for one that is well-established and reliable
- Awards and accreditations: Has the provider won any awards or achieved any accreditations?
Programme delivery
When it comes down to the logistics, you need to make sure that the provider you pick aligns with your operational needs. Research the provider’s website or ask them questions to find out the following:
- Location: Is the training online or classroom-based?
- Accessibility: If there are classroom-based elements, where are these delivered and how accessible are these to your apprentices?
- Delivery methods: What methods does the provider use to deliver the training, such as 121 coaching, workshops and independent learning?
- Schedule: Is this training delivered in large blocks or in more regular, smaller chunks?
- Support: Does the provider offer additional support for the end-point assessment? And can they effectively cater for apprentices with a wide range of needs and learning styles?
Expertise
You will want to ensure that the provider you choose has a deep understanding of your sector and challenges. Some providers have a broad offer, covering a multitude of sectors; others specialise in a smaller number of sectors and aim to deliver high-quality training across a specific group of apprenticeship standards. You should look out for:
- What employers do they work with? Have they worked with reputable employers and brands?
- What apprenticeships do they offer? Do they offer specific types of apprenticeships or is their offer very broad?
- Who do they employ? What are the credentials of their coaches, curriculum designers and business development teams?
- What additional expert services do they provide? Do they provide a recruitment service? And do they have specialist teams to support apprentices with English and maths functional skills or special education needs?
Support for your business
Consider whether each provider you’re considering offers services specifically for employers, such as account management, recruitment and support for supervisors/line managers. These services can be crucial in guiding you through your apprenticeship journey and ensuring that your apprentice and organisation are successful.
Expert account management: The best providers will assign you to a dedicated account manager who will be your main point of contact as an employer. They will get to know your organisation, your opportunities and challenges and will be able to talk to you about how apprenticeships can support your workforce development needs.
Streamlined recruitment: Some providers can ease the burden of recruitment for you by advertising vacancies, screening applicants and setting up interviews. They should also be able to advise you on what to look for and what questions to ask in the interview.
Supervisor and line manager support: Good training providers will also equip your managers and supervisors with the tools they need to be good mentors. This support could include webinars, review visits and specialist resources, as well as access to systems for monitoring apprentice progress.
Our employer partners
Pinsent Masons chose Damar Training as their training provider for a number of apprenticeship programmes. Here’s what Claire Dowd, Finance Operations Assistant at Pinsent Masons had to say:
“Our experience with Damar is that they are supportive, helpful and reliable. They take care of everything and they do it really well. This allows us to concentrate on investing in the apprentices and their development within our business.”
Tracey Wilson, Operations Director at Blue Cube Corporate Travel Management, said:
“I have found all of Damar’s support team to be very friendly, flexible and supportive. We have a diverse team with different learning abilities, and Damar has catered for all in a very caring and nurturing way. The coaches have been very accessible and understanding of all the students’ needs. I would highly recommend any employer to use Damar.”
Our employer feedback doesn’t stop there! Check out our case studies page and understand how we can support your organisation.
Choose Damar Training as your trusted apprenticeship provider
We hope that this blog has been useful in helping you choose the right apprenticeship provider. Ultimately, you need to choose the provider that is best suited to your organisation and workforce development needs.
At Damar Training, we’re committed to offering our employer partners an outstanding level of service. Our tailored solutions and dedicated support can help you unlock the full potential of your apprenticeship programme.