Over the past 12 months, I’ve seen more and more employers reaching out to me, frustrated by the poor service, lack of support, or inflexible treatment they’re experiencing with their current training providers.
My thoughts are simple: if you are the Apprenticeship Lead and you don’t even know that there are issues, that’s the first alarm bell. A good provider will always keep you informed of any challenges your learners are experiencing and work with you to resolve them.
Too often, employers feel “stuck” with a provider for the full apprenticeship programme. The truth is, you can change providers – and in many cases, it’s the right thing to do for your learners and your business.
Here’s how I recommend making the switch in six easy steps:
Recognise the Warning Signs
In my experience, the same red flags come up again and again: poor communication, lack of progress tracking, missed reviews, lack of ALS (Additional Learning Support), or apprentices who feel unsupported. If these sound familiar, your provider isn’t meeting their responsibilities.
Talk to Your Learners
Learners are usually the first to feel the impact of poor delivery. Ask them directly about their experience - how supported they feel, how well they understand their learning plan, and whether they’re motivated. Their feedback is invaluable in confirming whether a change is needed.
Raise It with Your Current Provider
I always advise giving your provider a chance to put things right. Raise your concerns, agree on actions and timescales, and monitor whether performance improves. If nothing changes, at least you know you’ve given them the opportunity.
Contact a New Provider
If things still aren’t improving, it’s time to look elsewhere. When employers come to us at SRSCC, we review their situation, explain the transfer process, and show them how we can make the transition smooth. We also highlight the value we add - from our wrap-around learner support to our results that are consistently higher than the CIPS national average.
Agree the Transfer Process
Changing providers is more straightforward than most people think. The new provider (like us) works with you and your current provider to arrange the transfer through the Apprenticeship Service account. This ensures funding is redirected correctly and the learner’s progress continues with minimal disruption.
Step 6: Support the Transition
The final step is making sure learners are set up for success. At SRSCC, we carry out an initial assessment, map any prior learning, and build a fresh learning plan to get apprentices back on track. From here, the support is proactive, transparent, and focused on results.
Why It’s Worth Making the Change
Switching providers might feel daunting, but I can honestly say: your learners deserve the best. Staying with a poor provider does more harm than good. Every employer I’ve worked with who made the switch has seen real improvements:
- Learners feel more supported and engaged.
- Progress is tracked properly with clear milestones.
- Achievement rates increase, giving better value for levy spend.
- The employer gains a true partner who understands their business.
If you’re unhappy with your current apprenticeship provider, please know this: it’s okay to switch – and often, it’s the right thing to do.
