Choosing the right training provider to support the Apprenticeship Levyfor an organisation can be difficult.
Here are a few tips that will help you as a business choose the right training provider.
The first thing to check would be to see if the training provider has any notices for concern against the business.
Click on the link below to see a list of training providers with a concern against them.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esfa-current-notices-of-concern
If they are on this list then it's highly recommended not to move forward with that particular training provider.
What qualifications does the training provider specialise in?
Throughout the training provider search, you will come across providers offering training in every sector.
This can be a disadvantage as it shows that the training provider doesn't specialise in any particular area within your organisation.
Is their online learner management system easy to understand for both the employer and the learner on the Apprenticeship?
Taking on an Apprenticeship Standard can be difficult enough, let alone having to learn a completely new e-portfolio system once enrolled.
Riverside Training use a platform called BUD which is extremely simple to use. You can see an overview of it here.
Whats does the training provider offer that will benefit your organisation?
Riverside Training offer an additional Sales NVQ certificate, which has been added on free of charge, if a staff member was to enrol onto the Customer Service Practitioner With Sales Standard which you can see here. The learner gets the added value of an additional Sales qualification as well as the Customer Service qualification.
Does the training provider offer a recruitment service to find Apprentices in your location?
If the training provider offers a recruitment service to source apprentices for your business, then this is a big advantage as it will save your organisation time.
This will also eliminate the screening process, therefore making sure that the strongest candidates are put forward.
Where are their Work Based Tutors or Assessors based? And how will they be able to accommodate your business needs?
Check if the training provider has Work Based Tutors in a variety of locations, or more importantly, in your location.
This is so that the learner isn't waiting for months for an on site visit and has regular contact with a Work Based Tutor.
Doing this will give the learner the ability to raise any concerns or questions that will help them throughout their qualification.
Finally, choose a training provider you can trust.
Meet with a few potential training providers face to face to see what they can offer.
See how they can help your organisation and if they show support for enrolling your staff on the right qualification.
The above points are areas to consider when finalising the right training provider to use for each department within your organisation.
Above all, choose a training provider you can trust and feel like you will have a strong relationship with.
See what response you get from the employer when you're asking questions. If you can see that they care, it will make you final decision easier.