BIIAB

What BIIAB does

BIIAB (BIIAB Qualifications Limited) is a UK-based, regulated awarding organisation and End-Point Assessment Organisation headquartered in Nottingham. Founded in 2000 and operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Skills and Education Group since February 2021, the company delivers more than 200 regulated qualifications and apprenticeship End-Point Assessments across 13 sectors — including Business and Administration, Care Services, Catering and Hospitality, Creative and Design, Education and Early Years, Protective Services, and Skills for Life and Work — to training providers, employers, further education colleges, and individual learners across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The company's technology stack comprises four core platforms: the XAMS online examination system with Integrity Advocate remote proctoring; the ACE360 EPA management system for booking, gateway tracking, and result release; the Accredited Training Programme (ATP) platform with dual-branded certification; and learner/centre e-certification portals. Qualifications are regulated by Ofqual, CCEA, and Qualifications Wales, with select programmes endorsed by Skills for Care and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC). BIIAB recorded 40,971 course registrations in the 2020/2021 academic year and is currently subject to Ofqual regulatory action (July 2026) halting new learner registrations for door supervision and security guarding qualifications.

BIIAB's revenue model combines per-qualification unit pricing (varying by standard), subscription-based ATP accreditation fees (£1,100–£1,650 annually for up to 3 or 5 courses; ATP+ from £2,750), two-stage EPA fees paid by training providers on behalf of employers, and ancillary sales of handbooks (£5.00–£9.25) and replacement certificates (£42.00 incl. VAT). Go-to-market is relationship-manager-led with five named regional Relationship Managers covering the UK, supplemented by a self-serve learner booking portal and direct enterprise EPA relationships. Distribution is conducted via a network of approved training provider Centres (channel partners) and direct employer engagement, with the Skills and Education Group providing cross-sell into membership, CPD, and grant funding services.

Name

BIIAB

Legal name

BIIAB Qualifications Limited

Website

https://biiab.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BIIAB Qualifications Limited is a UK-regulated awarding organisation and End-Point Assessment Organisation delivering 200+ qualifications and apprenticeship EPAs across 13 sectors to training providers, employers, FE colleges, and learners, operating as a subsidiary of the Skills and Education Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Qualifications and Assessment Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

National/State Examination Boards & Testing Agencies (EDADAFAA)

Keywords

• Vocational qualifications
• End-point assessment
• Awarding organisation
• Regulated qualifications
• Apprenticeship assessments

Headquarters

HQ city

Nottingham

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Qualification and Assessment Fees: BIIAB generates revenue by charging training providers (Centres) fees for qualifications and End-Point Assessments. Qualification fees vary by standard; EPA fees are paid in two stages with a small amount at the beginning and the remainder at Gateway. The 2025/26 fees brochure outlines specific pricing for each qualification type. Additional charges apply for resits and retakes.
2. Accredited Training Programme (ATP) Fees: ATP generates revenue through provider and programme approval annual fees (£1,100 for up to 3 courses, £1,650 for up to 5 courses) and per-certificate charges (£10 for e-certificate, paper certificate, or both). ATP+ has an annual licence fee starting from £2,750, with costs tailored to customer needs. This stream serves non-regulated training programme accreditation.
3. Handbook and Resource Sales: BIIAB sells handbooks to support qualification delivery. Handbooks are priced individually (e.g., Handbook for the Award for Personal Licence Holders at £9.25, Workbook at £7.99, Handbook for Emergency First Aid Made Easy at £5.00). Replacement certificates are issued for £42.00 (incl. VAT).
4. End-Point Assessment Fees: EPA fees vary by apprenticeship standard and are paid by the training provider on the employer's behalf as part of their contract with BIIAB. Fees are structured in two stages with staged payments. Costs in excess of available funding band must be met by the employer. Additional charges apply for resits and retakes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

BIIAB Qualifications Limited is a UK-regulated awarding organisation and End-Point Assessment Organisation that develops, delivers, and certifies vocational qualifications, apprenticeship End-Point Assessments, and the Accredited Training Programme (ATP) for non-regulated bespoke training. It serves training providers (approved Centres), employers taking on apprentices, and further education colleges across 13 industry sectors, with qualifications regulated by Ofqual, CCEA, Qualifications Wales, and Qualifications Scotland.

Product overview

BIIAB (BIIAB Qualifications Limited) is an awarding organisation and End-Point Assessment Organisation that provides regulated qualifications and assessments across 13 sectors. The company offers a unified portfolio consisting of: Qualifications for training providers (core regulated qualifications across Business, Care Services, Catering and Hospitality, Creative and Design, Education and Early Years, Protective Services, and Skills for Life and Work sectors); Apprenticeships with End-Point Assessments; the Accredited Training Programme (ATP) for bespoke non-regulated accreditation; and digital certification services. BIIAB operates as part of the Skills and Education Group family and supports work-based learning providers, employers, and further education colleges.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Qualifications for Training Providers A portfolio of over 200 regulated qualifications across 13 sectors including Business and Administration, Care Services, Catering and Hospitality, Creative and Design, Education and Early Years, Protective Services, and Skills for Life and Work. Delivered through approved Centres (training providers) to learners seeking nationally recognised credentials.
• Apprenticeships and End-Point Assessments Comprehensive apprenticeship services including Foundation Apprenticeships and End-Point Assessments (EPA) for work-based learning providers, employers, and FE colleges. EPA covers standards for Business, Care Services, Catering and Hospitality, and Transport and Logistics sectors, with managed processes through ACE360 from booking to result release.
• Accredited Training Programme (ATP) Bespoke accreditation and quality assurance service for non-regulated training programmes. Allows organisations to deliver custom programmes with dual-branded certificates featuring the client's logo and BIIAB branding. Annual provider and programme approval fee starts at £1,100 for up to 3 courses. ATP+ annual licence starts from £2,750.
• Courses for Individuals Courses delivered by BIIAB-recognised training providers, available online or at training venues. Learners can search and book courses through the courses.biiab.co.uk portal, selecting from virtual and in-person options across all sectors.
• Handbooks and Resources Supplementary printed and digital resources supporting the delivery of BIIAB qualifications. Includes handbooks for hospitality, security, first aid, food safety, fire safety, health and safety, and customer service. Individual prices range from £5.00 to £9.25.
• Digital Certification Portal Secure learner and centre portals for e-certificate access and management. Learners can register, access digital certificates, and request replacement certificates (£42.00 incl. VAT) through the portal.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40,971 course registrations recorded in 2020/2021 academic year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Skills and Education GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2021BIIAB Qualifications Limited joined the Skills and Education Group in February 2021, transitioning from the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII). The Skills and Education Group is a further education and skills sector membership body providing national awarding services. BIIAB retains its identity and focus on hospitality while gaining access to the group's wider portfolio of qualifications, EPA services, and support infrastructure including professional development, grant funding, and Centre discounts.
• British Institute of Innkeeping (BII)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2021BIIAB was previously part of the British Institute of Innkeeping before joining the Skills and Education Group. The BII continues to serve its members and collaborate with BIIAB (now part of Skills and Education Group) to support the hospitality industry's workforce development. The BII focuses on its core membership services including expert helplines, information resources, awards, and government engagement.
• Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNISCC is the regulatory body for the social care workforce in Northern Ireland. BIIAB and Skills and Education Group Awards work with NISCC to offer care service qualifications specifically developed for Northern Ireland, including the upcoming Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care Services (NI), which is fully endorsed by NISCC.
• Security Industry Authority (SIA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SIA is the regulator for the private security industry in the UK. BIIAB offers SIA licence-linked qualifications including Door Supervisor, Security Officer, and CCTV Operator awards. Following Ofqual's regulatory action in July 2026, the SIA removed BIIAB courses from its course finder tool as part of Operation RESOLUTE, though existing enrolled learners may continue under strict controls. Restrictions will remain until BIIAB demonstrates compliance with Ofqual's regulatory obligations.
• People 1stminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeople 1st serves as the External Quality Assurance Organisation (EQAO) for the hospitality sector End-Point Assessments provided by BIIAB. EQAOs are responsible for quality assurance of End-Point Assessment Organisations. From summer 2022, all EQA is conducted by Ofqual.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Training Qualifications UK (TQUK): TQUK is a UK-based awarding organisation and EPAO offering regulated qualifications and End-Point Assessment across vocational sectors — comparable to BIIAB in scope, Centre-led distribution, and apprenticeship standards coverage.
• Highfield Qualifications: Highfield Qualifications is a UK awarding organisation offering regulated vocational qualifications and EPA services with a comparable mix of compliance, security, care, and hospitality qualifications — directly competing in similar Centre markets.
• City & Guilds: City & Guilds is a major UK awarding organisation and End-Point Assessment Organisation offering regulated qualifications across vocational sectors. It directly competes with BIIAB in regulated qualifications, EPA, and technical/vocational credentials for Centres and employers.
• NCFE: NCFE is one of the largest UK awarding organisations offering vocational qualifications and End-Point Assessment services across multiple sectors — directly comparable to BIIAB in regulated qualification delivery, EPAO operations, and Centre network distribution.
• Cache (NCFE subsidiary): Cache specialises in early years and care qualifications, directly competing with BIIAB's Education and Early Years and Care Services qualifications, particularly in apprenticeship and regulated qualification segments.
• NOCN: NOCN is a UK awarding organisation offering regulated qualifications, apprenticeship End-Point Assessment, and accredited training programmes — closely comparable to BIIAB in scale, sector breadth, and EPAO positioning.

Broad incumbents

• AQA: AQA is a major UK awarding body primarily known for general qualifications but also offering vocational and technical qualifications. It overlaps with BIIAB as a fellow Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation, though at much larger scale.
• Oxford Cambridge and RSA (OCR): OCR is a UK awarding organisation offering vocational and general qualifications regulated by Ofqual. As a larger incumbent within the same regulatory framework, OCR is comparable to BIIAB in regulated qualification delivery though with broader portfolio reach.
• Pearson (Edexcel/BTEC): Pearson's Edexcel and BTEC brands offer regulated vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and assessment services across the UK. As a much larger incumbent, Pearson overlaps with BIIAB's qualification and EPA offering but operates at significantly greater scale.

Regional players

• Chartered Management Institute (CMI): CMI is a UK-based professional body offering management and leadership qualifications and accreditation — comparable to BIIAB's Business and Administration and Leadership qualifications, with particular overlap in apprenticeship standards.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/biiab
• Xx.com/TheBIIAB

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 BIIAB