Cambrian Training

What Cambrian Training does

Cambrian Training Company (CTC) is a Wales-based apprenticeship and vocational training provider founded in 1995 and headquartered in Welshpool. The company delivers work-based apprenticeship programmes across more than 14 occupational sectors, with particular depth in hospitality, food and drink manufacturing (including butchery), business administration, management, health and social care, retail, sustainable resource management, and financial planning. CTC operates the Apprenticeship Matching Service (AMS), a proprietary online platform for advertising vacancies and managing applications, alongside the Wales Essential Skills Toolkit (WEST) for essential skills delivery and the Learning Assistant learning management platform. The company reaches employers and apprentices through five regional offices across Wales (Welshpool, Llanelli, Builth Wells, Holyhead, Colwyn Bay) and a sub-contractor network of nine additional providers.

CTC generates the majority of its revenue through direct contract apprenticeship funding from the Welsh Government, supplemented by European Social Fund support, the Jobs Growth Wales programme (wage subsidies for 16-24 year-olds), and the Apprenticeship Employment Incentive scheme for SMEs. Ancillary revenue streams include the company-owned Chartists 1770 at The Trewythen restaurant-with-rooms in Llanidloes (opened 2021, £250,000 investment), Mid Wales Autumn Fayres events, and wholly-owned subsidiaries Irfon Valley Lamb Ltd (Welsh meat, founded 2003) and Trailhead Fine Foods (acquired 2017). The business serves a dual customer base: employers across Wales seeking workforce upskilling, and apprentices (school leavers, career changers, adult learners) seeking earn-while-learning vocational qualifications. On 27 March 2025, CTC transitioned to a 100% Employee-Owned Trust, changing its ownership structure while maintaining continuity of operations under Managing Director Faith O'Brien (appointed 2023).

Name

Cambrian Training

Legal name

Cambrian Training Company

Website

https://cambriantraining.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Cambrian Training is a Wales-based apprenticeship and vocational training provider delivering work-based learning programmes across hospitality, food manufacturing, and 12+ other sectors, funded primarily through Welsh Government direct contracts and serving 2,700+ employers via five regional offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Apprenticeship Training Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE), Education & Training Providers (EDABALAI)

Keywords

• Apprenticeship training programs
• Vocational education services
• Work-based learning
• Government-funded training
• Employer workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Welshpool

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Welsh Government Apprenticeship Contracts: Cambrian Training is one of ten Welsh Government commissioned direct contract apprenticeship providers. The Welsh Government funds most of the apprentice's training costs with support from the European Social Fund. Revenue is generated through delivering accredited apprenticeship qualifications across multiple occupational sectors.
2. Hospitality Operations - Chartists 1770 at The Trewythen: The company operates its own restaurant with rooms business in Llanidloes, opened in May 2021 following a £250,000 investment. This venture generates direct revenue from hospitality services and provides real-world training opportunities for apprentices.
3. Mid Wales Autumn Fayres: Following the business name change to Mid Wales Fayres Ltd, the company runs annual Autumn Fayres generating revenue through event management and vendor participation fees.
4. Jobs Growth Wales Programme: Welsh Government funded programme where Cambrian Training acts as intermediary, helping employers claim wage subsidies for hiring unemployed young people aged 16-24.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cambrian Training is a Wales-based vocational training provider delivering government-funded apprenticeship programmes across hospitality, food and drink manufacturing, business administration, management, health and social care, retail, sustainable resource management, and financial planning sectors. The company engages directly with employers to upskill existing staff or train new apprentices, and recruits school leavers, career changers, and adult learners through its Apprenticeship Matching Service (AMS) and website. It also operates the Supported Shared Apprenticeship Programme for individuals with additional needs, a network of five regional offices, a sub-contractor delivery network, and a hospitality training restaurant (Chartists 1770 at The Trewythen).

Product overview

Cambrian Training is a leading Welsh apprenticeship provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of vocational training programmes. The core offering consists of apprenticeship qualifications across 14+ occupational sectors including Hospitality, Food & Drink Manufacturing, Business Administration, Management, Health & Social Care, and Retail. The company operates the Apprenticeship Matching Service (AMS), a free online recruitment platform, and manages the annual Cambrian Training Awards Programme. Supplementary offerings include the Supported Shared Apprenticeship Programme for learners with disabilities, the Jobs Growth Wales programme for youth employment, and the Apprenticeship Employment Incentive for SME recruitment support. The company also operates Chartists 1770 at The Trewythen restaurant as a practical training venue and founded Irfon Valley Lamb Ltd to support its 'Pasture to Plate' ethos.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Chartists 1770 at The Trewythen: Restaurant with rooms operated by CTC, located in Llanidloes, opened in 2021 following £250,000 investment
• The Trewythen
• Cambrian Training Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards

Products and services

• Apprenticeship Programmes
• Hospitality Apprenticeships
• Food & Drink Manufacturing Apprenticeships
• Business Administration Apprenticeships
• Management & Team Leading Apprenticeships
• Health, Social Care & Early Years Apprenticeships
• Customer Service & Retail Skills Apprenticeships
• Sustainable Resource Management Apprenticeships
• Financial Planning Services Apprenticeships
• Supported Shared Apprenticeship Programme
• Apprenticeship Matching Service (AMS)
• Chartists 1770 at The Trewythen
• Irfon Valley Lamb Ltd
• Jobs Growth Wales (JGW) Programme
• Apprenticeship Employment Incentive

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% of apprentices stay in employment after completing their qualification
• +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

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sirius SkillscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2012CTC appointed first sub-contractor Sirius Skills in 2012 to provide Health and Social Care apprenticeships. Sirius Skills continues as a key delivery partner operating sub-contractually under CTC's Welsh Government contract.
• Culinary Association of WalescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCTC became a sponsor of the Culinary Association of Wales in 2015. This partnership supports the development of culinary skills and butchery competitions including the Welsh heat of WorldSkills UK National competition.
• Skills Competition WalescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCTC was appointed in 2014 to run the Hospitality competitions in the newly established Skills Competition Wales, promoting vocational skills excellence across Wales.
• WorldSkills UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCTC launched the Welsh heat of Butchery WorldSkills UK National competition in 2015, identifying and developing talent for national and international competitions.
• Trailhead Fine FoodsminorOthersTrailhead Fine Foods was purchased by CTC in 2017, expanding the company's food-related business operations.
• PearsoncoreTechnology or IntegrationAwarding body providing BTEC qualifications including Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration delivered through CTC apprenticeship programmes.
• BIIABcoreTechnology or IntegrationAwarding body for various apprenticeship qualifications delivered by CTC.
• FDQ (Awarding Body for Food & Drink Food Manufacturing)coreTechnology or IntegrationAwarding body for food and drink manufacturing qualifications, key partner for CTC's food sector apprenticeships.
• wamitabcoreTechnology or IntegrationAwarding body for waste management and sustainability qualifications, partner for CTC's Sustainable Recycling Activities apprenticeships.
• Marie CurieminorOthersCTC's charity partner for 2021. Company undertook Cambrian Way Path virtual walk (291 miles) to raise funds for Marie Curie, the UK's leading end of life charity.
• Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids ClubsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting children's care, learning and development apprenticeships.
• Celtic Collection / Celtic Manor ResortcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor hospitality employer partner with over 200 apprenticeships since 1982. Celtic Collection includes Celtic Manor Resort, Green Giraffe Nursery and other leisure brands.
• KepakcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest meat processing plant and abattoir in Wales with nearly 1,000 employees. CTC delivering apprenticeships for workforce upskilling with 50+ staff signed up initially.
• Compass GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor food service company operating multiple apprenticeships through CTC, winning multiple awards at Cambrian Training's annual awards.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Kaplan UK: Large UK education and training provider offering apprenticeships, professional qualifications, and vocational programmes across multiple sectors. Overlaps with Cambrian Training's apprenticeship and professional development offerings but operates at much larger scale.
• City & Guilds: Major UK awarding body and vocational training organisation that also delivers apprenticeship programmes. Comparable to Cambrian Training's accredited qualification delivery model and provides benchmark for sector credentialing.
• Babcock International (Babcock Training): Large UK defence and nuclear services company with a training arm delivering apprenticeship programmes across multiple sectors. Comparable to Cambrian Training's apprenticeship delivery but at significantly larger scale and broader scope.

Emerging players

• Multiverse: Tech-focused apprenticeship provider in the UK specialising in digital and data apprenticeships. Adjacent competitor to Cambrian Training's broader apprenticeship portfolio, particularly relevant if CTC expands into IT/digital apprenticeships.
• Corndel: UK apprenticeship provider specialising in management and leadership apprenticeships. Comparable to Cambrian Training's management and team-leading apprenticeship programmes.

Direct peers

• Learning Curve Group: National apprenticeship and vocational training provider in the UK with multi-sector coverage including health, education, and digital skills. Direct competitor to Cambrian Training in the apprenticeship delivery space.
• Lifetime Training: One of the largest independent apprenticeship training providers in the UK, offering apprenticeship programmes across multiple sectors including hospitality, health, and business. Directly comparable to Cambrian Training as a government-funded apprenticeship specialist.
• Paragon Skills: UK apprenticeship provider with a focus on adult apprenticeships and a multi-sector delivery model including business administration, customer service, and management — overlapping with Cambrian Training's portfolio.
• Total People: UK-based apprenticeship and training provider offering programmes across business, childcare, dental, and management sectors. Comparable to Cambrian Training in scale and multi-sector apprenticeship delivery model.

Regional players

• Remit Training: UK apprenticeship provider with regional delivery including England-focused programmes in automotive, business, and care. Comparable to Cambrian Training's apprenticeship delivery model but operating in different UK regions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ctcwbl
• Facebookfacebook.com/CambrianTrainingCompany

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Cambrian Training