Paragon Skills

Paragon Skills, care and education apprenticeships

Paragon Skills is a national apprenticeship training provider in the UK which, according to its own presentation, has over twenty years of experience and trains more than 10,000 apprentices a year. The company works with over 3,000 employers and focuses on the care and education sectors, which it says gives it in-depth knowledge of the training needs of both fields.

The site highlights that the organisation is rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted and has received recognition in the field of care apprenticeships. Its approach is built around structured pathways that enable progression from entry level to leadership roles.

Care apprenticeship programmes

The main offer is organised into several qualification levels, each aimed at a specific professional profile:

• Level 2 Adult Care Worker: a gateway into the sector or a progression route for those already working in care.
• Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker: for frontline care staff who help patients regain their independence.
• Level 3 Peer Worker: supporting people through modelling behaviours, signposting to resources and self-advocacy.
• Level 3 Safeguarding Practitioner in Health and Social Care: knowledge and practical skills for safe and effective safeguarding practice.
• Level 4 Lead Practitioner in Adult Care: guiding and inspiring team members when faced with physical, practical, social, emotional, psychological or intellectual challenges.
• Level 5 Leader in Adult Care: training for management roles in the care environment.

The site also mentions specific pathways within Level 3 in areas such as mental health, brain injury, empowerment and positive risk taking, and medication management.

Commercial courses and functional skills

Alongside its apprenticeship programmes, Paragon Skills offers commercial courses, including Level 2 functional skills maths and English qualifications, the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate and the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care.

Services for employers and apprentices

For employers, the organisation provides a resource hub with FAQs, a Levy Transfer Service, an apprenticeship recruitment service and a contact channel for enquiries. For apprentices, it offers a Career Hub, a job board with vacancies, information on locations and certificate request forms, as well as parent information on functional skills in English and maths.

Methodology and results

The company states that all learners who complete their programme achieve their apprenticeship certificate. According to its data, learners rate the teaching and learning support as ‘Excellent’ in over 84% of sessions. The site also indicates that 86% of employers believe apprenticeships benefit their business by developing a motivated and qualified workforce.

Paragon Skills publishes an annual impact report; the 2025 edition reports improvements in retention and career growth for care sector employers in the UK. The company also maintains a blog and a podcast, Candour Conversations, in which it discusses sector issues and the role of modern apprenticeships.