What Training Qualifications UK does

Training Qualifications UK (TQUK) is an Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation and approved End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) headquartered in Sale, Manchester. Founded in 2013, the company develops and delivers regulated vocational qualifications across more than 20 sectors and operates as an independent assessor for apprenticeship standards. Its core service lines are (i) regulated qualifications (240+ titles) for adults and apprenticeships, eligible for Adult Education Budget funding; (ii) End-Point Assessment for apprenticeship standards across Business Administration, Customer Service, Digital Marketing, Multi-Channel Marketing, and Adult Care; and (iii) Functional Skills in English and Maths. Supporting product lines include Endorsed Courses, V Levels (co-developed with parent AQA), the Design Engineer Construct programme, and international centre recognition including TEFL. Operating capacity centres on a Lean team of 11–50 staff with significant associate assessor bench, supported by an Executive team led by Managing Director Andrew Walker.

TQUK's technology stack is anchored on the Verve Reg & Cert web portal — a secure centre-management system for learner registration, examination booking, and e-certificate issuance — together with the Pulse Analytics Dashboard (launched September 2024) for gateway, pass-rate, and learner-outcome reporting, and a remote on-demand assessment system that delivers Functional Skills assessments without in-person invigilation and returns results in approximately six days. These platforms, combined with dedicated Account Managers and monthly analytics portfolios, form the operational backbone that Recognised Centres use to deliver qualifications and complete apprenticeship EPAs. Since inception TQUK has certificated over 750,000 people, supported 13,600 AEB-funded learners in 2023, and works with more than 11,000 employers on EPA delivery.

Commercially, TQUK operates a per-transaction revenue model: certification fees per learner completed, per-EPA fees linked to apprenticeship funding bands (ranging £3,000 for Customer Service Practitioner to £11,000 for Digital Marketer), and one-time centre recognition and qualification approval fees. Go-to-market is sales-led through direct relationships with Recognised Centres (schools, colleges, training providers) and event-led through active participation in ATC, AELP, and AoC conferences. Channel expansion is augmented via employer and training-provider referral networks. In 2023 TQUK was acquired by AQA — the UK's largest general-education awarding body — gaining strategic capital, policy influence, and operational scale while retaining an independent brand and product roadmap.

Name

Training Qualifications UK

Legal name

Training Qualifications UK Limited

Website

https://tquk.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Training Qualifications UK is an Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation and End-Point Assessment Organisation that develops vocational qualifications and delivers independent apprenticeship assessments for Recognised Centres across 20+ UK sectors, serving over 11,000 employers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Qualifications & End-Point Assessment Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Awarding Organizations & Credentialing Bodies (Certificates/Diplomas) (EDADAFAC)

Keywords

• Vocational qualifications
• End-point assessment
• Apprenticeship assessment
• Functional skills qualifications
• Awarding organisation

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Qualification Certification: Fees charged to Recognised Centres for certifying learners who complete TQUK qualifications. Revenue generated per certification claim submitted.
2. End-Point Assessment Services: Fees for conducting EPA services for apprenticeship standards across multiple sectors including Business Administration, Customer Service, Digital Marketing, and Adult Care.
3. Centre Recognition and Qualification Approval: Fees for centre recognition process and qualification approval. Currently offering promotional waivers for new centres (£1,500 saving) and qualification approvals (£40 fee waiver until July 31).
4. Verve Reg & Cert Access: Currently no registration or ongoing maintenance fee for Verve Reg & Cert access for Recognised Centres.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Training Qualifications UK is an Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation and End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) that develops regulated vocational qualifications and delivers independent assessment services for apprenticeship standards. Its portfolio includes over 240 qualifications across 20+ sectors (mental health, education and childcare, social care, business administration), English and Maths Functional Skills with remote on-demand assessments, and End-Point Assessment for apprenticeship standards such as Business Administrator, Customer Service, Digital Marketer, Multi-Channel Marketer, and Adult Care Worker. Services are delivered through a secure web portal (Verve Reg & Cert), an analytics dashboard (Pulse), and remote assessment platforms, with dedicated account management provided to every Recognised Centre.

Product overview

Training Qualifications UK (TQUK) operates as an Awarding Organisation and End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) offering a comprehensive portfolio of vocational education products and services. The core offering consists of three interconnected service lines: (1) Qualifications providing over 240 regulated qualifications across 20+ sectors eligible for Adult Education Budget funding; (2) End-Point Assessment delivering independent assessment for apprenticeship standards including Business Administrator, Customer Service, Digital Marketer, Multi-Channel Marketer, and Adult Care Worker; and (3) Functional Skills providing English and Maths qualifications with flexible remote assessment options. Supporting platforms include Verve Reg & Cert (centre management portal), Pulse Analytics Dashboard (learner data analytics), and Certificate Verification service. Additional offerings encompass Endorsed Courses, V Levels (jointly with AQA), Design Engineer Construct programmes, and international delivery including TEFL. Since 2013, TQUK has certificated over 750,000 learners and partners with more than 11,000 employers for EPA delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Qualifications (Awarding Organisation) Regulated vocational qualifications across 20+ sectors including mental health, education and childcare, social care, business administration, first aid, health, safety, food safety, and education. Over 240 qualifications developed since 2013, eligible for Adult Education Budget funding. Sold to Recognised Centres (training providers, colleges, schools) for delivery to learners.
• End-Point Assessment (EPA) Independent End-Point Assessment services for apprenticeship standards, including assessment planning meetings, dedicated account managers, and market-leading SLAs with average gateway-to-completion of 6 weeks. Sold to Recognised Centres and employers across multiple apprenticeship standards.
• Functional Skills Qualifications English and Maths Functional Skills qualifications at all levels, with remote on-demand assessments not requiring in-person invigilation. Results delivered in 6 days; e-certificates issued to learners within 24 hours. Designed for Recognised Centres and learners needing practical English/Maths qualifications for employment and apprenticeships.
• Endorsed Courses Quality-assured training courses including Certified Learning Courses, Professional Development Learning Courses, Recreational Learning Courses, and T Level Foundation Courses. Sold to Recognised Centres and providers seeking TQUK-endorsed short course content.
• V Levels Technical education qualifications developed jointly with AQA, designed to sit alongside A levels and T levels. Equivalent to A levels in size with 360 guided learning hours, focused on next-generation skills.
• Design Engineer Construct (DEC) Qualification and learning programme focused on the digital engineering and construction sector, with international delivery options through DEC International.
• TQUK International (ESEA) / TEFL International centre recognition and qualification delivery programme, including TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualifications for global markets. Sold to international training providers and learners.
• Business Administrator EPA Level 3 apprenticeship End-Point Assessment (ST0070) with £5,000 funding band. Components include Knowledge Test, Project Presentation, and Portfolio-Based Interview. Duration 12–18 months. Sold to Recognised Centres and employers.
• Customer Service Practitioner EPA Level 2 apprenticeship End-Point Assessment (ST0072) with £3,000 funding band. Components include Apprentice Showcase, Practical Observation, and Professional Discussion. Duration 12 months. Sold to Recognised Centres and employers.
• Customer Service Specialist EPA Level 3 apprenticeship End-Point Assessment (ST0071) with £4,000 funding band. Components include Practical Observation, Work-Based Project with Interview, and Professional Discussion. Duration 15 months. Sold to Recognised Centres and employers.
• Digital Marketer EPA Level 3 apprenticeship End-Point Assessment (ST0122) with £11,000 funding band. Components include Summative Portfolio, Synoptic Project, Employer Reference, and Interview. Duration 18 months. Sold to Recognised Centres and employers.
• Multi-Channel Marketer EPA Level 3 apprenticeship End-Point Assessment standard covering online and offline marketing channels. Features workplace projects, interviews, and presentations. EPA duration 4 months with pre-developed on-programme resources. Sold to Recognised Centres and employers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24-hour gateway review SLA
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• GMPLN (Greater Manchester Procurement and Logistics Network)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 August 2025TQUK joined GMPLN to support skills and workforce development across the Greater Manchester region, extending its reach into local business communities and educational initiatives.
• AQAflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023TQUK was acquired by AQA in 2023, marking a significant milestone. This partnership enables TQUK to leverage AQA's resources while maintaining its innovative approach. The combination aims to bring vocational and general education closer together, with TQUK continuing to challenge and shape policies with AQA's support.
• Federation of Awarding BodiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTQUK's Chief Operating Officer Kelle McQuade serves as Vice Chair of the Federation of Awarding Bodies Board, actively representing the sector with external stakeholders including Skills England, championing sector needs, and driving improvements.
• National Talent AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTQUK partnered with the National Talent Academy to boost personal and professional prospects for learners, supporting workforce development initiatives.
• Skills EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTQUK actively participates in ongoing policy and delivery discussions that influence the future of apprenticeships. TQUK contributes through involvement in Trailblazer Groups, Groups of Persons, and sector engagement to shape apprenticeship standards and assessment.
• Skills for CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTQUK Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate is approved by Skills for Care, enabling delivery of the Adult Care Worker apprenticeship standard qualification component.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• FutureQuals: FutureQuals is a UK Awarding Organisation regulated by Ofqual and CCEA offering vocational qualifications and End-Point Assessment. Direct competitor in regulated qualifications and apprenticeship assessment.
• NOCN: NOCN is a UK charity awarding organisation providing vocational qualifications and apprenticeship End-Point Assessment. It is a direct competitor for Ofqual-regulated qualifications and EPA delivery with overlapping sector coverage.
• NCFE: NCFE is a not-for-profit UK awarding organisation offering vocational qualifications and End-Point Assessment services across similar sectors as TQUK. Directly competes for the same Recognised Centres, apprenticeship providers, and apprenticeship standards in the same Ofqual-regulated market.
• AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group: AIM Qualifications is an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation providing vocational qualifications and EPA services. Direct competitor to TQUK in qualifications and End-Point Assessment across overlapping UK sectors.
• Open Awards: Open Awards is an Ofqual-regulated UK awarding organisation offering qualifications and EPA services in similar vocational sectors as TQUK. Direct competitor for centre recognition and apprenticeship EPA delivery.
• Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance and Training (HABC): Highfield (part of Highfield Qualifications) is a UK-based Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation and EPAO providing vocational qualifications and End-Point Assessment in many of the same sectors as TQUK. Direct competitor for centres, apprenticeship providers, and apprenticeship standards.

Others

• Skills for Care: Skills for Care is a UK workforce development partner that has approved TQUK's Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate for apprenticeship delivery. It is more of a sector partner and policy body than a direct competitor, but operates in the same adult social care skills ecosystem.
• Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB): FAB is the trade body for UK awarding organisations, of which TQUK is an active member (COO serves as Vice Chair). Not a competitor but a key ecosystem/administrative participant shaping policy and sector standards alongside TQUK and peers like NCFE and City & Guilds.

Broad incumbents

• City & Guilds: City & Guilds is one of the largest UK vocational awarding organisations, delivering qualifications and EPA across many of the same sectors as TQUK. It is a broad incumbent with a much larger portfolio and longer operating history, competing for the same employer and training provider relationships.
• Pearson (BTEC / Edexcel): Pearson offers BTEC vocational qualifications and assessment services and is one of the largest UK and global awarding organisations. It competes with TQUK in vocational qualifications and apprenticeship assessment as part of a much broader education portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/training-qualifications-uk/posts/?feedView=all
• Xx.com/tq_uk

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Training Qualifications UK