Workpays

What Workpays does

Workpays Limited is a privately held UK further-education and employability training provider founded in 2013 (with 13 years of operational experience reported on its website) and headquartered in Derby with its registered office in Chesterfield. The company delivers apprenticeships at Levels 2-5 (priced £3,500-£18,000 per programme), Skills Bootcamps (often fully funded by local authorities), short courses and vocational qualifications, and dedicated programmes for long-term unemployed individuals such as the Restart Scheme and Path 2 Apprenticeships. Its employer-facing portfolio includes a green skills sub-brand, Greenpays, which offers Solar PV, EV charger, PAT testing, and 18th Edition electrical courses at £245-£375 per course. Workpays serves two primary customer segments: UK employers seeking workforce upskilling (Co-operative Bank, Marriott, Morrisons, Nandos, Costco, Arriva, Stepnell) and individual learners seeking employment or career progression, with public-sector bodies (Worcestershire County Council, Leicester City Council, DWP, DfE, ESFA) acting as both funders and contract partners.

The business is a services-led training provider with no proprietary technology platform; delivery relies on ten physical regional centres across the Midlands (Derby, Chesterfield, Corby, Coventry, Hinckley, Kettering, Leicester, Market Harborough, Droitwich, Wolverhampton) supplemented by an online learning portal (wpconnected.co.uk) built on third-party learning management systems. Go-to-market combines enterprise field sales to employers, direct-to-consumer learner acquisition via the website and social channels, and event-driven engagement through local-authority-funded Skills Bootcamps. The revenue model is dominated by government-funded training (95% apprenticeship co-funding, Restart Scheme, Skills Bootcamps), with a smaller fee-for-service stream from green skills short courses.

In May 2026 Workpays acquired Suffolk-based W S Training with a seven-figure HSBC UK debt facility, expanding into East of England and into construction and commercial training verticals. The acquisition is projected to drive a 46% group revenue increase with an additional 20% organic growth forecast for FY26. Workpays reports supporting 11,400+ individuals, an 85% qualification success rate, and a 40% placement rate for unemployed learners into work, and holds Ofsted GOOD, Cyber Essentials, and ISO 9001 certifications alongside FE News and AELP awards.

Name

Workpays

Legal name

Workpays Limited

Website

https://workpays.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Workpays is a Midlands-based UK training provider delivering government-funded apprenticeships (Levels 2-5), Skills Bootcamps, green skills courses, and employability programmes to employers and individual learners across ten regional centres, recently expanded via the W S Training acquisition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training and Apprenticeships

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Educational Support Services (611710), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK), Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM), Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE)

Keywords

• Apprenticeship training
• Vocational education
• Skills bootcamps
• Workforce development
• Employability training

Headquarters

HQ city

Chesterfield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Apprenticeship Training: Revenue from delivering apprenticeship programmes to employers, funded through apprenticeship levy transfers or government grants (95% government grant available). Apprenticeship costs range from £3,500 to £18,000 per programme.
2. Government-Funded Programmes: Delivery of government-funded employment and skills programmes including Restart Scheme, Skills Bootcamps, and Path 2 Apprenticeships, funded by bodies including Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Education, and Education and Skills Funding Agency.
3. Short Courses and Green Skills Training: Fee-for-service short courses including Green Skills training (Solar PV Installer, EV Charger Installer, PAT Testing, 18th Edition). Prices range from £245.30 to £375 per course.
4. Acquisition-Driven Growth: Recent acquisition of W S Training with HSBC UK seven-figure funding package, projected to drive 46% increase in group revenue with 20% growth forecast for FY26.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Workpays is a UK training provider delivering apprenticeships (Level 2–5), Skills Bootcamps, short vocational courses, and government-funded employment programmes for both individual learners seeking employment and employers seeking workforce development. Programmes are funded via apprenticeship levy, government grants (up to 95% co-funding), local authority contracts, and fee-paying short courses delivered through ten Midlands regional centres and an online learning portal.

Product overview

Workpays is a multi-award-winning UK training provider operating as a single unified platform offering vocational training, apprenticeships, and employment support programmes. The core Workpays brand serves as the primary training provider, supported by specialised sub-brands and programmes including Greenpays (green skills training), Apprenticeships (Level 2-5 programmes), Path 2 Apprenticeships (pre-employment), Restart Scheme (long-term unemployment support), Skills Bootcamp in Green Skills Leicester, Skills Bootcamp in Worcestershire, and Short Courses/Vocational Qualifications. Together these offerings provide end-to-end support from initial skills development through to employment placement and workforce upskilling.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Greenpays: Green skills training brand offering courses in solar PV installation, EV charger installation, PAT testing, and 18th Edition electrical qualifications.

Products and services

• Workpays Apprenticeships (Level 2–5) Structured apprenticeship programmes for UK employers and learners at Levels 2–5 spanning business administration, customer service, financial services (e.g., Mortgage Adviser, Business Analyst), HR support, team leading, project management, and coaching. Funded via apprenticeship levy or government grant (up to 95% co-funding).
• Greenpays Green Skills Short Courses Sub-brand delivering short courses in Solar PV Installation, EV Charger Installation, PAT Testing, and 18th Edition Amendment 4 electrical qualifications, targeting qualified electricians and tradespeople expanding into renewable energy and green technologies.
• Path 2 Apprenticeships Pre-employment training programme helping individuals prepare for apprenticeships through employability skills development, career guidance, and guaranteed progression pathways into employment sectors.
• Restart Scheme Government-funded employment support programme helping long-term unemployed individuals overcome barriers and secure sustainable employment, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions.
• Skills Bootcamp in Green Skills (Leicester) Four-week fully funded bootcamp in partnership with Leicester City Council enabling qualified electricians to gain Level 3 qualifications in solar PV and EV charge point installation.
• Skills Bootcamp in Worcestershire Four-week virtual Skills Bootcamp in partnership with Worcestershire County Council providing training in construction, warehousing, and hospitality with guaranteed employer interviews for eligible individuals aged 19+.
• Short Courses and Vocational Qualifications Wide-ranging short courses and vocational qualifications including ESOL, Functional Skills (English and Maths), childcare, health and care, construction, hospitality, logistics, and digital skills at Entry Level to Level 2.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% qualification success rate across all programmes
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Worcestershire County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver Skills Bootcamp in Worcestershire covering Construction, Warehousing, and Hospitality sectors - a fully funded programme for eligible individuals.
• Leicester City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver Skills Bootcamp in Green Skills for qualified electricians covering solar PV and EV charge point installation, funded by Leicester City Council.
• West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal enterprise partnership supporting skills and employment initiatives in the West Midlands region.
• D2N2 Local Enterprise PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal enterprise partnership covering Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire supporting skills and growth initiatives.
• SEMLEPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership supporting economic growth and skills development.
• Co-operative BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor employer partnership delivering Financial Services apprenticeships and Business Analyst programmes with 100% apprenticeship retention rate.
• SercominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic services company partnership for employment and skills delivery.
• CW Growth HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of Commerce growth hub providing business support and skills development services.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• QA (QA Consulting / QA Apprenticeships): Large UK technology and corporate training provider with a significant apprenticeship division. Overlaps with Workpays in apprenticeship delivery but operates at larger scale and with a stronger technology/digital curriculum focus.
• Kaplan UK: Established UK education and training provider covering apprenticeships, professional qualifications, and higher education. Comparable in apprenticeships and vocational training but with broader international scale and different segment mix.
• City & Guilds: UK awarding body and vocational qualification provider with training arm. Comparable as a UK vocational training and qualification infrastructure player, though City & Guilds operates primarily as a certification body rather than direct apprenticeship deliverer.
• Serco (Skills & Employment): Global public services company that delivers large-scale UK employment and skills programmes including Restart Scheme contracts. Comparable to Workpays in delivering Restart-style government employment programmes but at much larger scale.
• Babcock Training (Babcock International): Major UK training provider operating as part of Babcock International's defence and nuclear services portfolio. Much larger scale and broader scope, but directly comparable apprenticeship and skills programme delivery to Workpays.

Direct peers

• Remit Training: UK-based apprenticeship and traineeship provider with employer-focused GTM, offering programmes from Level 2 to Level 5. Competes with Workpays in apprenticeship delivery and shares the multi-region, multi-Lep operating model.
• Paragon Skills: Ofsted-rated UK apprenticeship provider specialising in care, education, and business apprenticeships. Directly comparable in apprenticeship delivery, government funding reliance, and learner-outcome-focused model.
• Learning Curve Group: National UK training provider delivering apprenticeships, funded programmes, and adult education through both direct and government contract channels. Comparable business model, learner demographics, and contract structure to Workpays.
• Lifetime Training: One of the largest UK apprenticeship and vocational training providers, delivering government-funded programmes across multiple sectors. Directly comparable to Workpays in core offering (apprenticeships, bootcamps, employment support) and target segments (employers, learners, local authorities).

Emerging players

• Multiverse: Tech-forward apprenticeship provider focused on digital and data apprenticeships with a proprietary learning platform. Comparable as an apprenticeship business but differentiated by its tech-first delivery model and premium employer positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/workpays
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WorkpaysUK/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/WorkpaysLtd
• LinkedInuk.linkedin.com/school/workpays
• Instagraminstagram.com/workpays_uk
• TikToktiktok.com/@workpaysltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Workpays