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Apply to join the apprenticeship provider and assessment register (APAR)

From Tuesday 1 August, the register of apprenticeship training providers (APAR) is now called the apprenticeship provider and assessment register (APAR). The content within this apply journey will be updated shortly.

Use this service to join the apprenticeship provider and assessment register (APAR) so you can train apprentices in England.

We'll guide you through the application and you can ask for help on each page. You do not have to complete your application in one go, you can save your details and finish it later.

The Department for Education (DfE) will use information:

  • in the public domain to support the assessment of application answers
  • they already have on your organisation to support the assessment of application questions
  • from your application to verify the people in control of your organisation. This is defined in the Persons with Significant Control Regs 2016

Before you make an application, you should understand that your organisation:

You'll need to allow approximately 12 weeks for them to assess your application. This may take longer during busy times.

Once your organisation is on the APAR, it will be:

Being on the APAR does not mean your organisation is recommended by DfE. It cannot use DfE as a 'kite-mark' or an award and will not have an identification number for the APAR.

Warning Save a copy of your answers before you submit them as you will not be able to view them again after they've been submitted.

What you'll need

You must have:

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 6 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.

Your organisation can only apply once in a 12-month period.

If you're a registered company, you should check that Companies House has the correct information for your company directors and people with significant control.

If you're a registered charity, you should check that The Charity Commission has the correct information for your trustees and people with significant control.

Provider route

You will need to choose your organisation's provider route.

Main provider

Your organisation will directly deliver training to apprentices for other organisations. While doing this, it can also train:

  • its own employees
  • employees of connected companies or charities
  • act as a subcontractor for other main and employer providers

Employer provider

Your organisation will directly deliver training to its own employees. While doing this, it can also train:

  • employees of connected companies or charities
  • act as a subcontractor for other employer or main provider

To be an employer provider, your organisation must be a levy-paying employer.

Supporting provider

Your organisation will act as a subcontractor for main and employer providers to train apprentices up to a maximum of £500,000 per year.

If your organisation is new on the register, it will be limited to £100,000 in its first year.

Depending on your organisation and provider route, you may need to know:

  • who's in control of your organisation and their dates of birth
  • your organisation's financial information
  • if anyone who's in control of your organisation has any unspent criminal convictions
  • how your organisation manages its relationship with employers and subcontractors
  • who's in your organisations management hierarchy for apprenticeships
  • the sectors your organisation will offer apprenticeships in
  • how your organisation plans to deliver apprenticeship training
  • who will deliver apprenticeship training, including any sector specific experience and qualifications they might have
  • how your organisation will evaluate training

Depending on your organisation and provider route, you may need to upload:

  • financial evidence covering the last 12 months
  • a continuity plan for apprenticeship training
  • an equality and diversity policy
  • a safeguarding policy
  • a Prevent duty policy
  • a health and safety policy
  • a complaints policy
  • a contract for services template with employers
  • a commitment statement template
  • a policy for professional development of employees
  • a copy of your management hierarchy's expectations for quality and high standards in apprenticeship training

If your application is unsuccessful, we will provide feedback.

Application guidance for joining the apprenticeship provider and assessment register (APAR) (opens in new tab)

If you want to know more about becoming an apprenticeship training provider, read the following guidance: