Baltic Apprenticeships Appointed as an Expert Training Provider by the DfE

Baltic Apprenticeships are 1 of 7 independent training providers to be appointed as an Expert Training Provider by the Department of Education.

National training provider Baltic Apprenticeships has been appointed as an Expert Training Provider by the Department of Education. Baltic Apprenticeships will work with 6 other independent training providers to drive positive change across the apprenticeship sector.

The training provider specialises in delivering national tech and digital programmes, offering apprenticeships in IT, digital marketing, software development, and data analysis. The training provider currently works with 1200+ employers to support 1500+ learners across England.

The DfE unveiled the Expert Training Provider pilot scheme on 13^th September 2023 and strict entry requirements meant that only 6% of apprenticeship training providers in England could apply.

Eligibility criteria included:

• Hold a ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ Ofsted grade
• Have an apprenticeship achievement rate of 51% in 2021/22
• Have at least a 4-star employer feedback rating
• Be in good financial health
• Delivered apprenticeships for more than 5 years

As 1 out of 7 independent training providers chosen, Baltic will act as an apprenticeship programme ambassador, influencing positive changes to the current apprenticeship service to improve the experience for SMEs.

Brooke Urwin, Chief Operating Officer at Baltic Apprenticeships, said:

“2023 has been a fast-paced, challenging but extremely rewarding year for Baltic Apprenticeships with the achievement of our Outstanding Ofsted grade.

“The news that we were successful in the Expert Training Provider Pilot for the Department of Education is another testament to the incredible work our people do to deliver high-quality education.

“Our goal for this programme is to use our knowledge and expertise to make positive and effective changes to the wider apprenticeship sector, and we can’t wait to get started.”

Grow Apprenticeship Starts, Focusing on Young People

Baltic Apprenticeships are passionate about launching the careers of young people across England. The tech and digital training provider’s goal is to ensure young people have a fair, accessible chance to secure long-term employment while receiving high-quality education.

72% of Baltic’s apprentices are in the 16-24 age bracket. This is 20% higher than the current national average, however, the company still has ambitious aims to increase this further through the Expert Provider scheme.

Increase Engagement Between SMEs and Apprenticeships

The tech and digital training provider hopes to see increased engagement from small and medium enterprises with the apprenticeship scheme and aims to encourage businesses to future-proof themselves and the wider UK economy by hiring more young people.

Baltic Apprenticeships will work with other Expert Training Providers to dramatically streamline the apprenticeship hiring process for SMEs. This will remove the number of administrative duties, time, and resources it takes to navigate the apprenticeship service, to allow businesses more time to focus on their apprentice.

The Expert Provider Pilot will begin on the 31^{st of} October 2023 and will run until October 2024. For more information about the scheme, please visit the Department of Education.