VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED
Highland Learning Academy (formerly Virtual Learning Academy) is a private Scottish training provider delivering accredited professional and vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and leadership development programmes to individuals, employers, schools, and the public sector across Scotland. It holds CMI, AAT, and SQA accreditations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersInvergordon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED does
Highland Learning Academy, legally VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED and previously operating under the same name, is a private Scottish vocational and professional education provider headquartered at The Green House, Beechwood Park North, Inverness. The company delivers accredited qualifications and apprenticeships across Scotland, primarily the North of Scotland, with both face-to-face delivery in Inverness and online delivery to remote candidates. Its product portfolio spans Modern and Foundation Apprenticeships (delivered via Skills Development Scotland frameworks and in partnership with schools and employer networks), the full CMI management qualification suite from Level 3 through Level 7 including the Chartered Manager Status pathway, AAT accountancy qualifications with on-site exam facilities, project management and customer service qualifications, and bespoke leadership and organisational development programmes.
The business operates three distinct go-to-market motions: direct-to-consumer self-serve booking via a Corsizio-powered course calendar on the website, direct enterprise engagement with employers for apprenticeships and bespoke training, and community-led partnerships with Scottish secondary schools for Foundation Apprenticeships. Revenue is generated from individual course fees (with interest-free 6- or 12-month instalment options), employer-funded apprenticeship contracts routed through Skills Development Scotland, and customised corporate leadership programmes invoiced directly to employers. The underlying technology stack is light: a third-party Corsizio booking platform for scheduling, standard online delivery tooling, and traditional in-person instruction — there are no proprietary technology assets, AI capabilities, or API products disclosed.
The customer base is diversified across individual learners, SMEs, large employers (e.g., Murphy Group, Ross County Football Club), and public sector bodies (e.g., Highland Council). The company holds full accreditation from CMI, AAT, and SQA, which collectively form the core of its competitive position and represent the primary barrier to entry for new providers. No revenue figures, funding history, or ownership structure are disclosed in available sources.
VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED
- Legal name
- Highland Learning Academy
- Website
- https://vla.scot
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Highland Learning Academy (formerly Virtual Learning Academy) is a private Scottish training provider delivering accredited professional and vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and leadership development programmes to individuals, employers, schools, and the public sector across Scotland. It holds CMI, AAT, and SQA accreditations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vocational Education and Training
- NAICS
- Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Subject-Specific Short Courses & Academies (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAIAC)
Keywords
Where VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Invergordon
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Professional Qualification Courses: Revenue from delivering accredited professional qualifications including CMI management qualifications, AAT accounting qualifications, and project management courses. Course fees charged to individuals or employers with payment options including spread over 6 or 12 months.
- Modern Apprenticeships: Delivers Modern Apprenticeship programmes across the North of Scotland funded through Skills Development Scotland. Revenue generated from apprenticeship delivery contracts with employers.
- Foundation Apprenticeships: Delivers Foundation Apprenticeships in schools working with schools, pupils and employer network. Funded through apprenticeship frameworks for school-based learning.
- Leadership Development Programmes: Bespoke management and leadership development programmes designed and delivered to organisational needs. Customised training engagements for corporate clients.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Flexible payment options for all courses |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Highland Learning Academy (formerly Virtual Learning Academy) is a Scottish vocational and professional education provider delivering accredited qualifications including Modern and Foundation Apprenticeships, CMI management qualifications (Levels 3-7), AAT accountancy qualifications, project management and customer service certifications, and bespoke leadership and organisational development programmes. Courses are delivered face-to-face at Inverness facilities or online with interest-free payment plans, serving individual learners and employers across Scotland.
Product overview
Highland Learning Academy (formerly Virtual Learning Academy) operates as a multi-product vocational and professional education provider offering a portfolio of interconnected learning services. The core offerings include Modern and Foundation Apprenticeships across Scotland, professional qualifications through CMI (Chartered Management Institute) and AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) at multiple levels (3, 5, 7), Project Management and Customer Service qualifications. These are supplemented by specialist programmes such as the Visionary Leadership Programme, Development Programmes, and Digital Marketing courses. All offerings can be delivered face-to-face at the Inverness facility or online, with payment flexibility options including interest-free instalment plans.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Modern Apprenticeships
- Foundation Apprenticeships
- CMI Qualifications
- AAT Qualifications
- Project Management Qualifications
- Customer Service Qualifications
- Visionary Leadership Programme
- Leadership Development Programmes
- Development Programmes (Organisational)
Companies that use VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Chartered Management Institute (CMI)coreFully accredited CMI centre delivering the full range of management qualifications from Level 3 (supervisor) to Level 7 (director). Qualifications include First Line Management, Management and Leadership, and Strategic Management and Leadership. Also offers Chartered Manager Status pathway.
- Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)coreFully accredited AAT approved centre providing progressive accountancy qualifications. Offers exam facilities in comfortable Inverness location. Qualifications include all AAT levels from foundation to professional.
- Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)coreAccredited to develop, deliver, and award certifications for various qualifications through SQA. Partner for apprenticeship frameworks and vocational qualifications in Scotland.
- Skills Development ScotlandcoreGovernment skills body providing funding and framework for Modern Apprenticeship delivery. HLA delivers Modern Apprenticeships across the North of Scotland through this partnership.
- Employer NetworkcoreWide network of employers across Scotland for Foundation Apprenticeships placement. Employers provide workplace learning opportunities for school pupils undertaking Foundation Apprenticeships.
- Schools PartnershipcorePartnerships with secondary schools to deliver Foundation Apprenticeships, breaking down barriers between schools and the workplace. Pupils gain early exposure to professional qualifications.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Inverness College (UHI Inverness): Local further-education college within UHI delivering vocational qualifications and apprenticeships in Inverness and the surrounding Highlands, directly overlapping with HLA's primary geography and qualification stack.
- University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI): Regional higher education institution operating across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland offering vocational, apprenticeship and professional pathways — competes with HLA for the same Scottish employer and learner base within the same geography.
Emerging players
- The Skills Network: UK distance-learning and apprenticeship provider offering accredited vocational and professional qualifications online to learners and employers, comparable in delivery model and qualification mix to HLA.
- ICS Learn: Online-focused professional training provider offering flexible, distance-learning vocational qualifications to individuals across the UK, directly comparable to HLA's online self-serve learner proposition.
Direct peers
- Babington: UK-based apprenticeship and vocational training provider delivering across multiple sectors with both levy and non-levy contracts, directly comparable to HLA's Modern Apprenticeship and employer-funded training offering.
- QA (QA Apprenticeships): Large UK training and apprenticeship provider offering accredited professional and technical qualifications to enterprise and individual learners, comparable to HLA across the CMI/AAT qualification delivery model.
- Learning Curve Group: National UK training provider delivering apprenticeships, professional qualifications and bespoke corporate training programmes across government-funded and commercial channels, structurally similar to HLA's multi-stream model.
- Lifetime Training: Major UK apprenticeship and professional training provider delivering vocational qualifications to employed learners and employers, comparable in business model and customer segments to HLA's apprenticeship and workforce development streams.
Broad incumbents
- Kaplan UK: Established UK professional and vocational education provider with a much broader catalogue and national footprint; competes with HLA for employer-funded CMI/AAT-style qualifications and individual learner enrolments.
- BPP Professional Education: Large UK-based professional education group offering qualifications and apprenticeships to individuals and corporate clients; overlaps with HLA in management, leadership and professional qualification delivery.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED social profiles
Digital presenceVIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED 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 VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED
What does VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED do?
Highland Learning Academy (formerly Virtual Learning Academy) is a Scottish vocational and professional education provider delivering accredited qualifications including Modern and Foundation Apprenticeships, CMI management qualifications (Levels 3-7), AAT accountancy qualifications, project management and customer service certifications, and bespoke leadership and organisational development programmes. Courses are delivered face-to-face at Inverness facilities or online with interest-free payment plans, serving individual learners and employers across Scotland.
Is VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED a public or private company?
VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED founded?
VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED based?
VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED is headquartered in Invergordon, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Professional Qualification Courses are the primary driver. The others are modern Apprenticeships, foundation Apprenticeships and leadership Development Programmes.
Who are VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Inverness College (UHI Inverness) and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Emerging players are The Skills Network and ICS Learn. Direct peers are Babington, QA (QA Apprenticeships), Learning Curve Group and Lifetime Training. Broad incumbents are Kaplan UK and BPP Professional Education.
Does VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED have an API?
No public API is recorded for VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED.
What industry is VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED in?
VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY LIMITED's product category is Vocational Education and Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIAIAC, Subject-Specific Short Courses & Academies (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts). Its NAICS code is 611513 and its SIC code is 8200.