National Upskill

National Upskill: apprenticeship training for employers and professionals in England

National Upskill presents itself as an apprenticeship training provider registered with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), the Department for Education (DFE) and OFSTED, operating in England. Its offer is aimed both at those looking to take on a new apprentice and at companies wanting to upskill their existing workforce.

Apprenticeship programmes available

The catalogue is organised into several subject areas:

• Business, digital and governance: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation Practitioner (Level 4), Business Administrator (Level 3), Cyber Security Technician (Level 3), Cyber Security Technologist (Level 4), Data Analyst (Level 4), Data Technician (Level 3), Digital Accessibility Specialist (Level 4) and Digital Foundation Apprenticeship.
• Finance and accounting: Accounts/Finance Assistant (Level 2), Credit Controller and Collector (Level 2), Payroll Administrator (Level 3) and Payroll Manager or Assistant Manager (Level 5).
• Learning and development: Learning and Development Practitioner (Level 3).

In addition, the organisation offers short courses.

Training approach

National Upskill's method combines one-to-one tutoring with group learning activities and off-the-job training, complemented by directed self-study and functional skills development. The company states that it integrates teaching and learning with coaching and mentoring to achieve an individualised and flexible approach.

According to its presentation, apprenticeships are not limited to the technical knowledge specific to the sector: they also develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, organisation, planning, maths and English, and broaden the apprentice's training in subjects such as safeguarding, prevent and British values.

Entry requirements

To access an apprenticeship, candidates must be 16 or over, with no maximum age limit, live in England and have the right to work in the country, not be in full-time education or enrolled on another funded apprenticeship, higher education or further education programme, and spend at least 50% of their working hours in England during the programme.

The company notes that applications can be made at any time of year and that those who already hold a university degree can undertake an apprenticeship in a different vocational area. Apprentices cannot fund their own programme or use a student loan: they must be employed and it is the employer who pays for the qualification. Participants make no payments during the programme or if they leave before completing it.

Before starting, all candidates undergo initial assessments whose results inform their learning plan and starting point. At Levels 2 and 3 there are usually no general entry requirements, although the interviewing employer may set them according to their needs. At Levels 4 and 5 the employer usually assesses the candidate's CV, experience and work history, while Levels 6 and 7, corresponding to degree apprenticeships, do have entry requirements.

Levels and duration

The organisation details a table of equivalences and typical durations: Level 2 (equivalent to 2 GCSEs) corresponds to an intermediate apprenticeship of 12 to 18 months; Level 3 (5 GCSEs or Level 2) to an advanced apprenticeship of 18 to 24 months; Levels 4 and 5 (2 A-levels or Level 3) to a higher apprenticeship of 24 to 36 months; and Levels 6 and 7 (Foundation degree, HNC or HND) to a degree apprenticeship of 36 to 48 months.

The minimum duration of the teaching and learning phase is 12 months, to which the end-point assessment (EPA) is added, usually adding between three and five months.

Employment relationship and apprentice rights

National Upskill stresses that being an apprentice means becoming an employee of the company, with standard employment rights. The employer may offer a fixed-term contract, but this must cover at least the duration of the apprenticeship and the end-point assessment. On completion, the employment relationship continues unless the contract was temporary, in which case the employer addresses the next steps. The apprentice must receive a contract of employment and an apprenticeship agreement with details of their working week, pay and holidays, and is entitled to the same conditions as other employees at a similar level or role.

Support for employers

The company works with levy-paying and non-levy-paying employers, so that businesses of all sizes can take on apprentices or upskill their teams. Among the topics it covers for companies are the apprenticeship levy and transferring levy funds. The organisation states that it has more than three decades of practical experience in the apprenticeship sector.

Outreach activity

The National Upskill blog publishes content on digital accessibility, National Payroll Week and apprenticeship funding for SMEs, among other topics. One post notes that from 1 August 2026, eligible SMEs will be able to access apprenticeship training 100% funded by the government.

Location and contact

Phone: 0333 772 9534 · Email: info@nationalupskill.co.uk