The Skills Network
The Skills Network is a UK-based edtech company that operates the cloud-based EQUAL learning platform to deliver over 150 accredited distance-learning courses (Levels 1-4 and CPD) to individual learners, large employers including NHS Trusts and G4S, and a network of 500+ colleges and training providers across 30+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersSelby, United Kingdom
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Skills Network does
The Skills Network Limited is a UK-based educational technology company founded in 2009 and headquartered in Selby, North Yorkshire. The company develops and delivers technology-enabled distance learning courses and skills solutions to individuals, employers, and educational institutions through its proprietary cloud-based EQUAL platform.
The product portfolio centres on EQUAL, a cloud-based Learner Management System and learning platform delivering over 150 accredited courses spanning Health and Social Care, Childcare and Education, Business and Leadership, Digital, Retail and Hospitality, Sustainability, Accounting and Finance, and Personal Development, at qualification Levels 1-4 plus CPD certifications. EQUAL Assess, launched in May 2026, extends the platform into the qualification assessment layer for the Further Education sector. Content includes interactive videos, games, quizzes, and case studies, with auto-save, progress tracking, and tutor support. The platform is engineered for compliance with UK-specific regulators Ofsted, Ofqual, and ESFA. Payments are processed through Stripe and GoCardless, and no mobile app is offered.
The company operates a hybrid go-to-market: B2C self-serve online enrollment through courses.theskillsnetwork.com with full-cost courses priced £249-£399 and direct-debit payment plans; B2B enterprise field sales to large organisations (NHS Trusts, G4S, Lancashire County Council, Sunrise Senior Living, Bright Horizons, Unite the Union); and channel distribution through a network of 500+ colleges and independent training providers across 30+ countries. A material revenue stream comes from government-funded courses in England and Scotland. Skill Bootcamps and Functional Skills Resources address employer workforce training and educator support respectively. The company holds Cyber Essentials Plus certification, is registered with the ICO as a data controller, and reports supporting over 1.6 million learners and 5,000+ organisations cumulatively.
The Skills Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Skills Network
- Legal name
- The Skills Network Limited
- Website
- https://theskillsnetwork.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- The Skills Network is a UK-based edtech company that operates the cloud-based EQUAL learning platform to deliver over 150 accredited distance-learning courses (Levels 1-4 and CPD) to individual learners, large employers including NHS Trusts and G4S, and a network of 500+ colleges and training providers across 30+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Skills Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Distance Learning and Workforce Training
- NAICS
- Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Support Services (611710), Computer Training (61142)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Training Delivery Providers (In-Person, Virtual, Train-the-Trainer) (BPACANAM)
Keywords
Where The Skills Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Selby
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Skills Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Course Fees - Full Cost: Individual learners pay full course fees ranging from £249-£399 for individual courses. Example: Level 2 Certificate in Digital Marketing at £299.00.
- Government Funded Courses: Fully funded courses available in England and Scotland for eligible learners, funded through government skills and training initiatives.
- Direct Debit Payment Plans: Installment payment option available for course purchases through GoCardless payment processing.
- Employer Partnership Training: B2B training solutions for organisations including NHS, G4S, local councils, and corporations, with dedicated support teams and custom training programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Government Funded Courses |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Full Cost Individual Courses |
| Subscription | Monthly | Direct Debit Payment Option |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Skills Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Skills Network develops and delivers technology-enabled distance learning and skills training through its cloud-based EQUAL platform. It sells over 150 accredited courses (Level 1-4 plus CPD) to individual learners, provides workforce training and Skills Bootcamps to employers, and licenses its Learner Management System and EQUAL Assess product to colleges and Independent Training Providers across 30+ countries.
Product overview
The Skills Network is an educational technology company offering a cloud-based learning ecosystem centred on the EQUAL platform. The platform consists of the core EQUAL LMS, supplemented by EQUAL Assess for examination and qualification management. The company provides over 150 accredited courses across multiple sectors at qualification levels 1-4, plus CPD certifications. Skills Bootcamps serve employer and individual learners for workforce development, while Functional Skills Resources support educators. Courses are delivered entirely online through EQUAL with interactive content (videos, games, quizzes, case studies) and include tutor support and learner management tools for regulatory compliance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- EQUAL: Cloud-based learning platform delivering state-of-the-art products and services for the Further Education space, including a Learner Management System and EQUAL Assess product.
Products and services
- EQUAL Learning Platform Cloud-based learning platform and Learner Management System (LMS) delivering online courses with interactive content (videos, games, quizzes, case studies), progress tracking, and auto-save functionality. Built for educational providers to meet Ofsted, Ofqual, and ESFA regulatory requirements.
- EQUAL Assess Smarter assessment tool for the further education sector that enables providers to deliver high-quality, consistent qualification outcomes under regulatory pressure and tighter funding conditions.
- Skills Bootcamps Government-funded intensive training programmes for employers seeking to upskill their workforce and for individuals seeking personal development in areas aligned with labour market needs.
- Functional Skills Resources Educational resources focused on functional skills development (English, maths, ICT), providing materials for educators and partners to support learners in gaining these essential skills.
- Course Portfolio Over 150 accredited courses spanning sectors including Accounting and Finance, Business Leadership, Childcare and Education, Digital, Health and Fitness, Health and Social Care, Retail and Hospitality, and Sustainability. Courses range from CPD certifications to professional qualifications at Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1.6 million learners supported over the past decade
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Skills Network
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Skills Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability2 records
Feature4 records
The Skills Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and notable.
- NHS TrustscoreLong-established partnership with the National Health Service. Upskilled over 1,400 NHS employees across 45 NHS Trusts including Warrington and Halton, Mid Cheshire Hospital, and South Tyneside. Provided CPD courses and Level 2 qualifications in mental health, dementia care, and end of life care.
- OneSourcenotablePartnership with OneSource (back office council support for London Boroughs of Newham and Havering). Over 200 employees enrolled, over 150 achieved qualifications. Fully funded training opportunities for Level 2 qualifications.
- Bright HorizonsnotableExclusive partnership since January 2018 with childcare provider Bright Horizons to provide distance learning qualifications. Provides fully funded training courses in Understanding Autism, Team Leading, and Customer Service. Over 400 Bright Horizons employees enrolled onto Level 2 qualifications across England and Scotland settings.
- Unite the UnioncoreSelected by Britain's largest trade union (1.42 million members) to implement distance-learning training solution with government funded Level 2 qualifications. Started regionally in September 2017, expanded nationally in January 2018 with enrollment growing from 75 to 850 members.
- Lancashire County CouncilcoreSince November 2016, working with Lancashire County Council to support residential day care homes. Implemented distance learning solution for 15 care home locations. 180 employees trained with 99% achievement rate on Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism.
- Sunrise Senior LivingnotableStrategic partnership since 2015 helping over 500 elderly care staff across 25 care homes in England and Wales achieve government funded Level 2 qualifications in medication handling, dementia care, end of life care, infection control, and behaviour management.
- G4SnotableCollaborated in 2014/15 to develop compliant e-learning qualification for G4S Events staff. Innovative approach with cost savings of over £800,000, over 2,000 staff qualified to steward at major UK events. Program enables over 25,000 G4S staff to benefit from e-learning.
- London Early Years FoundationnotablePartnership with LEYF (37 nurseries across London) to upskill childcare professionals, nursery staff and SENDCOS. Provided government funded Level 2 certificates in Understanding Autism with flexible online and distance learning options.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Skills Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NCFE: UK awarding organisation and vocational qualifications provider with a strong Further Education and apprenticeship portfolio; mirrors TSN's regulated Level 1–4 qualification focus.
- learndirect: UK-based distance-learning and online training provider offering government-funded qualifications to individuals and employers — closest direct overlap with TSN's EQUAL-led, government-funded individual learner and employer model.
- Reed Learning: Corporate training arm of Reed, delivering accredited vocational and professional development programmes to UK employers — directly comparable on B2B workforce training and CPD delivery.
- NetCom Training: UK-based IT and digital skills training provider delivering vendor-aligned and bespoke courses to corporates; directly comparable on the Digital Courses portfolio within TSN's catalogue.
Broad incumbents
- Pearson: Global education and assessment company with significant UK FE and vocational qualifications exposure via Pearson Edexcel and Workforce Skills solutions; competes on enterprise training and assessment content.
- BPP: UK professional education provider across accountancy, law, healthcare and management — overlapping target customer base of adult learners and employers investing in CPD and accredited qualifications.
- QA Ltd: Large UK corporate training provider covering technology, leadership and apprenticeship programmes; comparable on B2B workforce training sales motion and apprenticeship/Skills Bootcamp funding.
- Skillsoft: Global enterprise digital learning provider covering compliance, leadership and technology training — relevant on the EQUAL Assess / enterprise content delivery side, particularly for multi-national employer contracts.
- City & Guilds: Long-established UK vocational awarding body offering regulated qualifications across multiple sectors; broader incumbent that competes for the same regulated course market and FE partner colleges.
Emerging players
- Avado: UK-based online professional learning provider offering apprenticeships and digital skills bootcamps; comparable on government-funded Skills Bootcamps and employer-funded digital programmes.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Skills Network social profiles
Digital presenceThe Skills Network compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Skills Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Skills Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
The Skills Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Skills Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Skills Network
What does The Skills Network do?
The Skills Network develops and delivers technology-enabled distance learning and skills training through its cloud-based EQUAL platform. It sells over 150 accredited courses (Level 1-4 plus CPD) to individual learners, provides workforce training and Skills Bootcamps to employers, and licenses its Learner Management System and EQUAL Assess product to colleges and Independent Training Providers across 30+ countries.
Is The Skills Network a public or private company?
The Skills Network is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Skills Network founded?
The Skills Network was founded in 2009.
Where is The Skills Network based?
The Skills Network is headquartered in Selby, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Skills Network make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Course Fees - Full Cost is the primary driver. The others are government Funded Courses, direct Debit Payment Plans and employer Partnership Training.
Who are The Skills Network's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NCFE, learndirect, Reed Learning and NetCom Training. Broad incumbents are Pearson, BPP, QA Ltd, Skillsoft and City & Guilds. Avado is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Skills Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Skills Network.
What industry is The Skills Network in?
The Skills Network's product category is Online Distance Learning and Workforce Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACANAM, Training Delivery Providers (In-Person, Virtual, Train-the-Trainer). Its NAICS code is 6114 and its SIC code is 8200.