Acorn, one of the UK’s leading recruitment and training companies, and an award-winning apprenticeship provider, has been approved to deliver apprenticeship training to employers in England.
In successfully joining the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP), Acorn will now be able to deliver apprenticeship training in England, in addition to their existing contracts to deliver the same training in Wales.
With over 750 apprentices already undergoing work-based training from Acorn every month, the company has a rich history of delivering training and development solutions to businesses in a variety of industries including HR, IT & Digital, Finance (Banking and Insurance), Project Management, Customer Service and Retail.
With over 15 years’ experience in the training industry, Acorn continuously leads the way by developing and introducing new courses in partnership with a number of educational establishments. Recent launches include the introduction of the CIPD Level 5 Apprenticeship - a diploma in Human Resources Management, and the Level 4 Diploma in Project Management. Acorn was also the first training provider in the UK to deliver and achieve the Higher Apprenticeship in Banking.
Acorn’s commercial director, Sarah John said: “Becoming an RoATP accredited apprenticeship provider is testament to the many years of experience which we have in offering apprenticeships UK-wide.
“Many people still have an outdated view of apprenticeships and we hope that the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy will inform businesses and individuals about the diverse offering that is available, in terms of the industries covered and the level of apprenticeships available.”
Apprenticeships are a positive addition for businesses; mutually benefitting employers and individuals, by improving the skills of workers of all ages and levels, which further contributes to the success of businesses and the wider economy. Securing this new accreditation cements Acorn’s commitment to supporting employers in successfully training their employees.
The reform of the Register, and it’s joining criteria, is part of a national reform of apprenticeships which has taken place to coincide with the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy, to improve both the quality and quantity of apprenticeship providers in the UK. Apprenticeship providers must submit applications to the register, so that they can be vetted before they are accredited to offer apprenticeship training to employers. This register will give employers an informed choice when selecting a verified training provider for their business.
Introduced in April 2017, the Apprenticeship Levy is a levy on UK employers to fund new apprenticeships. In England, control of apprenticeship funding will be put in the hands of employers through the Digital Apprenticeship Service.
The government is committed to developing vocational skills, and to increasing the quantity and quality of apprenticeships. It has promised an additional three million apprenticeship starts in England by 2020. The levy will help to deliver new apprenticeships and it will support quality training by putting employers at the centre of the system.
