First Rung

What First Rung does

First Rung is a London-based registered charity (Charity No. 800614) and private company founded in 1983 that delivers vocational training, apprenticeships, and study programmes primarily for young people aged 16-18 and adults in North London. The organisation operates two physical training centres — The Hasina Ali Learning Centre in Colindale (NW9) and a second site in Ponders End, Enfield (EN3) — with additional reach into Hertfordshire via a partnership with Services for Young People at The XC Centre in Hemel Hempstead. Programmes span Level 1 through Level 5 qualifications across Accounting (AAT), Business Administration, Early Years, Health & Social Care, and Teaching Assistant pathways, with tailored support for learners holding Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) up to age 24.

The underlying technology is a modest online learning management system paired with an Apprentice Online Portfolio System that enables individual learners to track competencies, progress, and learning outcomes. First Rung is rated 'Good' across all categories by Ofsted (December 2022 inspection), maintains small class sizes (maximum 13 students for Study Programmes), and reports a 74% overall apprenticeship achievement rate with 69-71% progression rates to further education, apprenticeships, or employment.

The business model is principally government-funded: revenue flows from the Apprenticeship Levy (large employers) and government co-investment (smaller employers covering 5%), plus separate DfE/EFA funding for Traineeships and Study Programmes for 16-18 year-olds. The Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner is priced at £8,000 per programme, with non-levy employers paying only £400 (5%). Distribution is regional and direct via physical centres, open days, employer partnerships, school and college referrals, community workshops (with NHS, Human Trafficking Foundation, Jack Petchey Foundation), and a Free Apprenticeship Recruitment Service for North London employers.

Name

First Rung

Legal name

First Rung

Website

https://firstrung.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

First Rung is a London-based registered charity founded in 1983 that delivers government-funded vocational training, apprenticeships (Levels 1-5), and study programmes for young people aged 16-18 and adults, primarily across North London and Hertfordshire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training and Apprenticeship Services

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (6117), Child and Youth Services (62411), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

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

Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD), College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK)

Keywords

• Apprenticeship training
• Vocational education
• Study programmes
• Early years training
• Traineeship programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Apprenticeship Training: First Rung receives government funding to deliver apprenticeship programmes. Apprenticeships are funded through the Apprenticeship Levy for large employers or through government co-investment for smaller employers. Training covers various vocational areas including Accounting, Business Administration, Early Years, Health and Social Care, and Teaching Assistants.
2. Traineeship and Study Programme Funding: Government-funded Traineeship and Study Programme provision for 16-18 year olds (and up to 24 with EHCP), providing vocational training, maths/English qualifications, and employability skills.
3. Adult Training Services: Health and Social Care training for adults in London with employment opportunities, potentially funded through government adult education budgets.
4. Level 5 Apprenticeship Tuition: The Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner apprenticeship costs £8000. For levy-paying employers, it is free. For non-levy employers, the government pays 95% (£7,600) and the employer pays 5% (£400).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

First Rung delivers government-funded apprenticeship programmes (Levels 2, 3 and 5) in Accounting (AAT), Business Administration, Early Years, Teaching Assistant and Health and Social Care, alongside a Study Programme and First Rung Pathways for 16-18 year olds (up to 24 with EHCP) and adult Health and Social Care training. Programmes combine vocational qualifications with maths, English, work placements and pastoral support, delivered from training centres in Colindale and Ponders End in North London and a partner venue in Hertfordshire.

Product overview

First Rung is a single unified training and apprenticeship programme rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offerings include the Study Programme for 16-18 year olds, the First Rung Pathways Level 2 & 3 vocational programmes, and six distinct apprenticeship programmes at Levels 2, 3, and 5 spanning Business Administration, Accounting (AAT), Early Years (Practitioner and Educator), Teaching Assistant, and Early Years Lead Practitioner. All programmes provide vocational qualifications combined with employability skills, maths and English training, and work experience placements, with tailored support for learners with EHCPs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Study Programme A 16-18 year old programme (also available for 16-24 year olds with EHCP) offering individualised learning with vocational options including Business Administration Level 1, Early Years/Health and Social Care Level 1, Health and Social Care Level 2, and Accountancy (AAT) Level 2, along with English, maths and digital skills training.
• First Rung Pathways Level 2 and 3 vocational programmes enabling learners to progress to apprenticeships, Level 3 vocational qualifications, or employment. Includes Accountancy (AAT Level 2), Business Administration, Early Years, and Health and Social Care pathways with work placements.
• Business Administration Apprenticeship Level 3 apprenticeship (up to 18 months) covering the Business Administrator standard including modules on analysing business data, organising events, managing budgets, projects, and leading meetings, leading to roles as secretaries, office administrators and HR assistants.
• Accounting (AAT) Apprenticeship Level 3 apprenticeship (up to 18 months) providing AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting training covering Advanced Bookkeeping, Final Accounts Preparation, Management Accounting Costing, Indirect Tax (VAT), and Ethics for Accountants.
• Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 2 apprenticeship (12-15 months) training candidates to work as childcare practitioners under supervision, covering child development, positive care environments and paediatric first aid, leading to roles such as Nursery Assistant or Classroom Assistant.
• Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Level 3 apprenticeship enabling qualified professionals to ensure young children learn, develop well, and are kept healthy and safe, covering early education support, effective care planning, assessments, and partnership working with parents and professionals.
• Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 3 apprenticeship for teaching support roles in Primary, Special, and Secondary education, covering learning activity implementation, child development support, lesson plan delivery, and safeguarding, leading to Teaching Assistant positions.
• Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 5 work-based apprenticeship (24 months, £8,000 cost) for experienced Early Years practitioners with room leader responsibility, providing a leadership qualification equivalent to a foundation degree with online weekly sessions and workplace visits.
• Herts Step Up to Success Partnership programme with Services for Young People at The XC for 16-18 year olds (up to 24 with EHCP) in Hertfordshire, offering Level 1 Business Administration qualification, English, maths, Essential Digital Skills, and workplace skills with wraparound support at The XC Centre, Jarman Park, Hemel Hempstead.
• Apprenticeship Recruitment Service Free apprenticeship recruitment service connecting local employers with motivated, work-ready young people trained by First Rung, supporting employers with candidate shortlisting, training delivery and on-the-job coaching.

Quantifiable outcome

• 74% overall apprenticeship achievement rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• NHSminorOthers · 13 March 2024NHS delivered an educational workshop on sexual health to First Rung students as part of enrichment activities.
• Talk The Talk by Jack Petchey FoundationminorOthers · 22 January 2024Talk The Talk delivered a confidence-building workshop to First Rung students, beneficial for future goals and career development.
• Human Trafficking FoundationminorOthers · 16 January 2024Delivered a workshop to First Rung students on human trafficking and grooming awareness, providing education on protecting vulnerable young people.
• Services for Young People at The XCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Rung partnered with Services for Young People at The XC to launch the Step Up to Success programme for 16-18 year-olds and up to 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The XC provides wraparound support including one-to-one advice and guidance, personalised progression planning, CV and interview coaching, mental health and wellbeing support, and help with travel costs and financial assistance.
• Unlocking PotentialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTherapeutic partner providing specialist support to learners alongside First Rung's core vocational training and personal development programmes.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Corndel: Corndel is a UK apprenticeship provider specialising in leadership, management, and data apprenticeships for working professionals. Comparable to First Rung on UK apprenticeship delivery and levy-funded model, though focused on higher-level professional apprenticeships rather than entry-level youth programmes.
• Multiverse: Multiverse is a UK apprenticeship platform focused on data, tech, and management apprenticeships for working professionals and entry-level talent. Comparable to First Rung as a UK apprenticeship competitor using government levy funding, but differentiated by digital-first delivery and substantial venture-capital backing enabling rapid growth.

Broad incumbents

• QA Apprenticeships: QA is one of the UK's largest commercial training providers, offering a broad apprenticeship portfolio alongside corporate training and certifications. Comparable to First Rung on apprenticeship delivery across business administration, digital, and accountancy, but operates at significantly larger national scale as part of a broader commercial training portfolio.
• BPP University: BPP is a UK provider of professional education, apprenticeships, and accountancy training with strong apprenticeship portfolios in business, law, and finance. Comparable to First Rung on apprenticeship standards (especially AAT accountancy), but at materially greater scale and with broader higher-education positioning.
• Kaplan UK: Kaplan UK is a major education and training provider offering apprenticeships, professional qualifications, and accountancy training (AAT). Directly comparable to First Rung on accountancy (AAT) apprenticeship delivery and broader vocational offering, though operating as part of a much larger global education group.

Direct peers

• Paragon Skills: Paragon Skills is a UK-wide apprenticeship provider focused on early years, childcare, teaching assistants, and business administration programmes. Closely comparable to First Rung on apprenticeship subject mix (especially Early Years and Teaching Assistant), ESFA-funded delivery model, and employer-partnered training approach.
• Remit Training: Remit Training is a UK apprenticeship provider delivering vocational programmes including early years, business administration, and health and social care. Directly comparable to First Rung on subject mix, ESFA-funded apprenticeship delivery, and employer-partnered model across England.
• London Learning Consortium: London Learning Consortium is a London-based training provider and membership body delivering ESFA-funded programmes including apprenticeships and study programmes to young people and adults. Highly comparable to First Rung on geography (London), funding model, and youth-focused provision; even cited in First Rung board member backgrounds.
• WhiteHat: WhiteHat is a UK apprenticeship provider focused on connecting employers with young apprentices across business, tech, and professional services. Directly comparable to First Rung on apprenticeship delivery, employer-partnered model, and government co-investment funding, but differentiated by a digital-first platform and venture-backed scale.
• Lifetime Training: Lifetime Training is one of the UK's largest apprenticeship and traineeship providers, delivering government-funded vocational programmes across sectors including health, social care, early years, and business administration. Directly comparable to First Rung on apprenticeship portfolio, funding model (levy/co-investment), and employer-partnered delivery, though operating at significantly greater national scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/First_Rung
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 First Rung