Northern Skills

Apprenticeship and Vocational Trainingnorthernskills.co.uk

Northern Skills is the apprenticeship and training arm of Middlesbrough College Group, delivering over 100 apprenticeship programmes, foundation apprenticeships, and commercial training for more than 2,000 employers across the North East of England and Yorkshire.

Company typePrivate
Founded2016
HeadquartersMiddlesbrough, United Kingdom
Headcount51–100
GTM typeB2B and B2C
OfferingServices

What Northern Skills does

Northern Skills is the apprenticeship and training arm of Middlesbrough College Group, delivering over 100 apprenticeship programmes and a portfolio of commercial training services across the North East of England and Yorkshire. Headquartered in Middlesbrough with regional offices in Newcastle and Sunderland, the organisation supports approximately 2,000 businesses and trains around 2,200 apprentices annually, spanning sectors that include engineering, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, digital, and professional services. Its product set covers Intermediate, Advanced, and Higher Apprenticeships; Foundation Apprenticeships (eight-month programmes); T Level industry placements; bespoke commercial training; and access to specialist STEM facilities. The offering is built around a free end-to-end apprentice recruitment service for employers, with delivery taking place both on the £120m Middlesbrough College campus (including a £20m simulated industrial STEM Training Centre and the £12m TTE Centre opened in March 2025) and on employer premises.

Underlying technology includes the Smart Assessor e-portfolio platform, which centralises digital evidence, off-the-job training records, and qualification progress for apprentices, employers, and assessors, and integration with the government's Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS), which manages apprenticeship levy access for large employers. The wider technology stack supports paper-free compliance, candidate matching, and training delivery across multiple industry-standard environments, including CAD/CAM suites, process operations equipment, applied science laboratories, and a logistics training yard.

The revenue model is predominantly government-funded apprenticeship training, with around 98% of employers classified as non-levy paying and contributing 5% of training costs (the government covers the remaining 95%); levy-paying employers above the £3 million payroll threshold access government funds via their digital accounts. Secondary revenue streams include commercial short courses, bespoke training programmes, ILM management courses, and facility hire for the STEM Centre conference and seminar spaces. The go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven, combining a dedicated apprenticeship recruitment field team conducting training needs analysis, direct employer engagement, and a large annual Apprenticeship Expo that attracted 1,350 students and 60 employer stands in 2026, supplemented by organic digital presence across Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. The organisation is owned by the Middlesbrough College Group and does not have external equity investors or disclosed standalone financials.

Northern Skills firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Northern Skills
Legal name: Northern Skills
Website: https://northernskills.co.uk
Company type: Private
Founded year: 2016
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 51–100 employees
Short description: Northern Skills is the apprenticeship and training arm of Middlesbrough College Group, delivering over 100 apprenticeship programmes, foundation apprenticeships, and commercial training for more than 2,000 employers across the North East of England and Yorkshire.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Northern Skills industry classification

Industry

Product category: Apprenticeship and Vocational Training
NAICS: Apprenticeship Training (611513), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)
SIC: Services-Educational Services (8200)
akta.pro primary industry: Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)
akta.pro secondary industries: Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE), Community College / Training Provider Workforce Pathways Programs (EDAAAOAO)

Keywords

Apprenticeship training
Vocational education
Workforce development
Technical training
Employer recruitment services

Where Northern Skills is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Middlesbrough
HQ country: United Kingdom
HQ region: Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

Northern Skills business model

Business model

GTM type: B2B and B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

Government-Funded Apprenticeship Training: Primary revenue from government apprenticeship funding. Non-levy paying employers (approximately 98%) contribute 5% of training costs with Government covering 95%. Levy-paying employers with payroll over £3 million pay 0.5% of wage bill and receive £15,000 allowance. Employers with fewer than 50 employees can train 16-18 year old apprentices at no cost.
Commercial Training Courses: Revenue from technical and professional short courses, bespoke training programs, and ILM management courses for businesses and individuals. Training delivered at Middlesbrough College campus or on-site at employer locations.
Apprenticeship Levy Management: Revenue derived from managing apprenticeship training for levy-paying employers accessing their digital accounts. Employers with payroll over £3 million pay into levy system annually.
Foundation Apprenticeships: 8-month foundation apprenticeship programs funded through government grants and employer contributions, available in building services engineering, onsite trades, engineering/manufacturing, health/social care, and IT/digital sectors.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Subscription	Annual	Apprenticeship training funded by government and employer contributions
Other	Multi-year contract	Commercial short courses and bespoke training for businesses
Subscription	Annual	Apprenticeship levy for large employers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Northern Skills product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Northern Skills delivers over 100 different apprenticeships at Intermediate, Advanced, and Higher levels across the North East and Yorkshire, alongside Foundation Apprenticeships, T Level industry placements, and bespoke commercial training for businesses. As the apprenticeship and training arm of Middlesbrough College Group, it operates from a £120 million campus featuring a £20 million STEM Training Centre, supported by a free end-to-end recruitment service that helps employers identify, hire, and train apprentices.

Product overview

Northern Skills is the apprenticeship and training arm of Middlesbrough College Group, offering a comprehensive portfolio of vocational education services across the North East and Yorkshire. The core offering is the Apprenticeships Programme with over 100 different apprenticeship standards at Intermediate, Advanced, and Higher levels. This is complemented by Foundation Apprenticeships (8-month programmes), Higher Apprenticeships (Level 4-5 equivalent to university qualifications), and T Levels Industry Placements. For workforce development, they provide Bespoke Training tailored to specific business needs, Technical Training through the TTE centre, and a Recruitment Service to help employers find suitable apprentices. The STEM Training Centre (£20 million facility) and Specialist Facilities Hire support hands-on technical training. Smart Assessor serves as the e-portfolio platform for tracking learner progress. The Digital Apprenticeship Service enables access to government funding and training provider selection. The offering combines earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships with technical/professional courses to serve both individuals seeking careers and employers seeking workforce development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Apprenticeships Programme Comprehensive earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship programmes at Intermediate, Advanced, and Higher levels across 100+ industry sectors, including engineering, accountancy, digital, electrical, construction, customer service, manufacturing, and dental nursing. Designed for both candidates seeking vocational careers and employers recruiting and training new talent.
Higher Apprenticeships Higher apprenticeships at Level 4 and Level 5 equivalent to university-level qualifications, combining vocational workplace training with academic study. Available in Accounting, Digital, Engineering, Children's Residential, Construction, and Audiovisual Technician disciplines.
Foundation Apprenticeships Eight-month programmes providing young people with a head start in industry, available in Building Service Engineering, Onsite Trades, Engineering and Manufacturing, Health and Social Care, and IT and Digital disciplines. Funded through government grants and employer contributions.
T Levels Industry Placements T Level industry placement programmes providing students studying vocational courses the opportunity to apply theory in real work settings, combined with industry placements lasting from a few days to several weeks. Designed for employers to engage with vocational students.
Apprenticeship Recruitment Service Free bespoke recruitment service helping employers find apprentices with qualities tailored to their specific business needs. Includes conducting training needs analysis, advertising vacancies, shortlisting candidates, and supporting the interview process. Available across all industry sectors.
Bespoke Training Tailored training solutions designed to fit individual business needs across Health and Safety, Technical, Manufacturing and Business Improvement, Plant/Logistics/Warehousing, PLCs/Robotics/AutoCAD, Machining, International Standards, Finance/AAT, Human Resources/Leadership, Business Management, Sales/Marketing, and Leadership/Management disciplines.
Specialist Facilities Hire State-of-the-art training facilities, workshops, and learning spaces available for hire. Includes the STEM Centre Conference Suite accommodating up to 120 guests, seminar rooms with interactive technology, and catering services.
Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) Enablement Support service enabling employers to access the government's Digital Apprenticeship Service online platform, including apprenticeship standards, training provider selection, and apprenticeship levy fund management. Northern Skills guides employers through DAS usage and levy drawdown.

Quantifiable outcome

99% overall pass rate for apprentices
+3 more outcomes

Companies that use Northern Skills

Customer profile

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Northern Skills technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Northern Skills partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

Middlesbrough CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthern Skills is the apprenticeship and training arm of Middlesbrough College Group. Benefits from shared £120m campus, facilities, and administrative infrastructure. TTE and Middlesbrough College together form the group providing comprehensive training solutions.
TTE (Technical Training Excellence)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Middlesbrough College Group, TTE provides specialist technical and engineering training. Delivers £12m purpose-built TTE Centre opened in March 2025. Offers engineering apprenticeships, technical short courses, and international training programs.
Teesworks Skills AcademyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor strategic partnership for process, oil and gas, supply chain solutions, advanced manufacturing, and engineering training. Provides industrial skills development aligned with Tees Valley economic growth.
City and GuildscoreTechnology or IntegrationAwarding body partner for vocational qualifications across multiple apprenticeship standards and training courses.
OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA)coreTechnology or IntegrationAwarding body partner for academic and vocational qualifications.
MFC FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable partnership with Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation. Annual charity football tournament raising funds (over £40,000 in five years) for community programs. Collaborative community engagement initiative.
CaterpillarflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor employer partner providing apprenticeship placements and supporting engineering/manufacturing training programs.
British SteelflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteel industry employer partner for engineering apprenticeships and technical training aligned with manufacturing sector needs.
JacobsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional services firm providing apprenticeships and supporting engineering, construction, and digital training programs.
Anglo AmericanflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMining and minerals company partner supporting training in process operations and engineering disciplines.
ModecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialist vehicle manufacturer partner for engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships.
QuornminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood manufacturing company partner supporting apprenticeships in food production and related disciplines.
Education and Skills Funding AgencycoreOthersGovernment agency providing apprenticeship funding and regulatory oversight for training providers in England.
Skills Development ScotlandminorOthersScotland-focused skills development organization, though Northern Skills primarily operates in England (North East/Yorkshire).
Tees Valley Combined AuthorityflagshipOthersProvides Age Grant funding for new apprentices. Regional authority supporting economic growth and skills development across Tees Valley.
Tees Valley Business CompassflagshipOthersGrowth fund providing up to 33% funding for business growth projects including workforce training, marketing strategies, and digital transformation.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Northern Skills competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

Remit Group: UK training provider specialising in apprenticeship programmes across a range of sectors. Comparable in offering employer-led apprenticeship delivery and managing levy-funded training at scale.
Learning Curve Group: UK independent training provider delivering apprenticeships, traineeships, and commercial training across multiple sectors with a strong digital and online delivery model. Directly comparable as a multi-sector, multi-region apprenticeship provider serving both levy and non-levy employers.
Lifetime Training: One of the largest UK independent training providers, focused on apprenticeship programmes across active leisure, childcare, dental, and professional services. Directly comparable as a national apprenticeship delivery competitor with a similar SMB employer base.
Aspiration Training: UK-based independent training provider focused on apprenticeship delivery across multiple sectors. Comparable as a mid-sized apprenticeship provider targeting similar SMB and non-levy employer segments.

Broad incumbents

BPP Professional Education Group: Large UK-based professional and vocational education group offering apprenticeships, professional qualifications, and higher education. Comparable as a multi-sector apprenticeship provider with a much broader educational portfolio and national footprint.
QA (QA Ltd): Major UK technical training provider delivering apprenticeships and commercial technology training. Overlaps with Northern Skills on apprenticeship delivery and technical/commercial training, with a national reach and stronger tech specialism.
Kaplan UK: UK provider of apprenticeships, professional qualifications, and higher education across financial services, legal, and business. Comparable in delivering higher-level apprenticeships and professional development programmes to UK employers.
Babcock International — Training: Operates significant UK apprenticeship and skills training programmes, particularly in defence, engineering, and technical sectors. Comparable in delivering technical and engineering apprenticeships and partnering with major industrial employers.

Regional players

Newcastle College Group (NCG): Major North East England FE college group, parent of Newcastle College. Comparable as a regional further education group operating in the same North East geography, with similar apprenticeship and vocational training offerings.

Others

City & Guilds: UK awarding body for vocational qualifications, including apprenticeship standards. Comparable not as a direct training competitor but as a partner awarding body, ecosystem enabler, and indicator of qualification frameworks used by Northern Skills.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Northern Skills compliance and trust

Trust signal

Compliance2 records

Northern Skills financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Northern Skills leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Northern Skills funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Northern Skills M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Northern Skills

What does Northern Skills do?

Is Northern Skills a public or private company?

Northern Skills is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.

When was Northern Skills founded?

Northern Skills was founded in 2016. It employs 51 to 100 people.

Where is Northern Skills based?

Northern Skills is headquartered in Middlesbrough, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.

How does Northern Skills make money?

Four revenue lines are on record. Government-Funded Apprenticeship Training is the primary driver. The others are commercial Training Courses, apprenticeship Levy Management and foundation Apprenticeships.

Who are Northern Skills's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Remit Group, Learning Curve Group, Lifetime Training and Aspiration Training. Broad incumbents are BPP Professional Education Group, QA (QA Ltd), Kaplan UK and Babcock International — Training. Newcastle College Group (NCG) is listed as a regional player. City & Guilds is listed as an others.

Does Northern Skills have an API?

No public API is recorded for Northern Skills.

What industry is Northern Skills in?

Northern Skills's product category is Apprenticeship and Vocational Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACANAK, Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs, with a secondary code of EDAAAOAE, Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling. Its NAICS code is 611513 and its SIC code is 8200.