Axia Solutions

What Axia Solutions does

Axia Solutions is a UK-based apprenticeship and training provider founded in 1999 and headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. The company delivers workplace-based apprenticeships and functional skills training to employers and apprentices across the West Midlands and broader UK, holding direct relationships with enterprise customers including Siemens, DHL, XPO Logistics, Wedgwood, Premier Foods, New Look, the National Veterinary Services (NVS), Bird Bellows, Ultra Maritime and the British Red Cross, alongside engagement with small and medium employers. Axia has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) since the college's 2014 acquisition and the subsequent 2016 group merger.

The company's core product is a portfolio of approximately 11 apprenticeship programmes spanning Levels 2 through 7 — covering Operations/Departmental Management, Team Leader, Business Administration, Customer Service, Warehousing, Facilities Management, Lean Manufacturing, Printing, Improvement Practitioner, a Level 4 AI for Business apprenticeship (launched 2025), and a Level 7 Women Senior Leader Apprenticeship (launched March 2024 in partnership with Strategi Solutions). These are complemented by fully government-funded Functional Skills qualifications (English, Maths, ICT, ESOL) awarded by City and Guilds, ILM Leadership & Management qualifications, and bespoke employer-led training programmes. Delivery is blended (face-to-face, video, remote), with end-point assessment via City and Guilds.

Revenue is predominantly government-funded through the UK Apprenticeship Levy and ESFA frameworks: large employers (wage bill over £3m) draw down levy funds to cover training fees in full, while non-levy SMEs contribute 5% co-investment. The Level 7 Senior Leader programme carries a £14,000 standard training fee (£700 employer contribution for SMEs). Axia operates a direct B2B sales motion via relationship coordinators offering free Training Needs Analyses and levy optimisation consultancy, supplemented by distribution leverage from NSCG's wider 890+ employer network. Strategic positioning is anchored on sector diversification beyond its ceramics heritage — into manufacturing, logistics, leadership, and emerging categories like AI training — and on quality outcomes historically measured by 92.7% apprenticeship and 98.9% Functional Skills success rates.

Name

Axia Solutions

Legal name

Axia Solutions

Website

https://axia-solutions.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Axia Solutions is a UK apprenticeship and training provider (founded 1999, Stoke-on-Trent), delivering workplace-based apprenticeships, functional skills and leadership programmes to employers and apprentices as a wholly owned subsidiary of Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training and Apprenticeship Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE)

Keywords

• Apprenticeship training
• Workforce development
• Functional skills training
• Vocational qualifications
• Leadership apprenticeships

Headquarters

HQ city

Stoke-on-trent

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Apprenticeship Training (Levy-Funded): Government-funded apprenticeship training for large employers with wage bills over £3 million. Fully funded through Apprenticeship Levy. For non-levy employers, government funds remainder with 5% employer co-investment.
2. Functional Skills Training: Fully funded English, Maths and ICT courses delivered in the workplace. Government-funded training for employees.
3. Senior Leader Apprenticeship (Level 7): Level 7 Women Senior Leader Apprenticeship at £14,000 standard training fee. Fully funded for levy-paying employers. For smaller employers, 5% (£700) co-investment with government funding remainder.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Axia Solutions is a UK vocational training and apprenticeship provider delivering on-the-job apprenticeships from Level 2 to Level 7 across sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, business administration, customer service, facilities management, warehousing, AI, and senior leadership. The core offering combines employer-led apprenticeship programmes with workplace-delivered Functional Skills qualifications in English, Maths, ICT, and ESOL, supported by ILM leadership qualifications, bespoke training solutions, and free Apprenticeship Levy consultancy. Training is delivered in workplace settings using blended learning (face-to-face, video calls, remote), culminating in End-Point Assessment.

Product overview

Axia Solutions operates as a training and apprenticeship provider with a portfolio of 11 distinct apprenticeship programmes spanning sectors including manufacturing, logistics, business administration, customer service, management, and emerging technologies like AI. The core offering combines on-the-job apprenticeship training with functional skills qualifications (English, Maths, ICT/ESOL), supplemented by ILM Leadership and Management professional qualifications and bespoke training solutions. All apprenticeships are delivered in the workplace by industry-trained assessors and culminate in End-Point Assessment, primarily with City and Guilds. The company also offers free apprentice levy consultancy services to help businesses optimise their training investments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Apprenticeships Core apprenticeship programmes combining on-the-job training with theoretical learning, covering sectors including manufacturing, logistics, business administration, and management, and concluding with End-Point Assessment (EPA) with City and Guilds.
• Artificial Intelligence for Business Level 4 apprenticeship programme teaching apprentices to analyse processes, identify AI opportunities, apply ethical AI principles, design workflows, and develop portfolios showcasing AI implementation.
• Senior Leader Level 7 Women Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship developed in partnership with Strategi Solutions, specifically for women transitioning into senior or strategic management roles, covering leadership, driving business performance, finance, governance, and stakeholder engagement. Completed over 14 months with End Point Assessment.
• Leader and Manager Level 5 Leader & Manager Apprenticeship helping individuals grow, lead and drive change within their organisation, with eligibility to apply for Chartered Manager status through the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
• Team Leader Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship providing management and leadership skills covering personal performance, team management, project planning, and operational delivery.
• Business Administration Business Administrator apprenticeship lasting 18 months focused on improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, increasing productivity, and delivering process improvement projects.
• Customer Service Practitioner Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner apprenticeship lasting 15 months focused on enhancing customer experience, identifying improvement areas, and helping retain and gain customers.
• Warehousing Operative Supply Chain Warehouse Operative Apprenticeship for individuals pursuing careers in warehousing, covering quality, warehousing, storage, despatch processes and safety standards.
• Facilities Management Facilities Management apprenticeships at Levels 2, 3, and 4 covering roles from Facilities Services Operative through to Facilities Manager.
• Lean Manufacturing Operative Level 2 Lean Manufacturing Operative apprenticeship for operatives working in fast-paced processing environments, developing multi-skilled operators through process ownership.
• Printing Technician Level 3 Printing Technician apprenticeship covering Pre-press, Press and Post-press roles, delivered over 28 months with specialist partner support.
• Improvement Practitioner Level 4 Improvement Practitioner Apprenticeship enabling apprentices to drive continuous improvement, boost efficiency, lead change, and improve business profitability.
• Functional Skills Training Fully funded workplace training in English, Maths, ICT and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), ranging from Entry Level to Level 2, awarded by City and Guilds.
• ILM Leadership and Management ILM Level 5 Certificate or Award in Leadership and Management designed for aspiring and current middle managers, delivered over 3.5 days with flexible online, in-person or workplace options.
• Bespoke Training Tailored training solutions to meet specific business needs, including workplace learning, functional skills, and short courses designed to be flexible and employer-led.
• Apprenticeship Levy Consultancy Free consultation services helping businesses understand and maximise their Apprenticeship Levy funds, including organisational needs analysis and strategic skills development planning.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92.7% apprenticeship success rate - highest in West Midlands (2016/17)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Strategi SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2024Joint collaboration on Level 7 Women - Senior Leader Apprenticeship programme. Strategi Solutions leads the programme with Axia as delivery partner. Participants attend 12 sessions at Strategi's offices in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Modules include workshops and masterclasses. Programme fully funded through Apprenticeship Levy for large employers. Groundbreaking venture aimed at developing next generation of female senior leaders.
• Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG)coreOthersAxia is a wholly owned subsidiary of NSCG. NSCG formed in 2016 when Newcastle-under-Lyme College and Stafford College merged. NSCG works with over 890 employers, 1,500 apprentices, around 5,500 full-time learners, and 900 higher education students. Axia trades independently from standalone premises whilst enjoying efficiencies and financial security of being part of larger group.
• LucideoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLucideon is the financial sponsor of the AMRICC Academy. Axia Value Solutions (likely related entity) is listed as a key partner in the AMRICC Centre, a £10m facility within the Midlands Industrial Ceramics Group's £18.27m research programme funded by UK Government's Strength in Places Fund.
• Science and Technology Facilities CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in AMRICC Academy for ceramics skills training. Part of the £18.27m research programme providing training programmes for scientists and engineers in ceramics sector.
• Hartree CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in AMRICC Academy for ceramics skills training. Part of the research programme addressing long-standing skills gap in traditional and advanced ceramics.
• Ceramic Technology AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in AMRICC Academy providing training programmes for scientists and engineers in ceramics sector.
• CidoriminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDelivery partner for Introduction to Construction Skills pre-employment course. Cidori's Customer Care Team conducts initial meetings with potential learners. Online course delivery via Zoom with Cidori and Axia collaboration.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• QA Ltd: Large UK training provider offering apprenticeships, digital/IT training, and professional development to enterprise customers. Comparable to Axia on enterprise B2B apprenticeship delivery, with stronger specialisation in technology and digital apprenticeships.
• Learning Curve Group: UK vocational training and apprenticeship provider delivering programmes across sectors including business administration, leadership, digital, and care. Closely comparable to Axia on multi-sector apprenticeship portfolio and workplace-based blended delivery.
• Aspiration Training: Independent UK training and apprenticeship provider delivering programmes across business, care, education and management sectors. Directly comparable to Axia on regional apprenticeship provider positioning and employer-led B2B model.
• Remit Training: Independent UK training provider specialising in apprenticeships and vocational qualifications across business admin, customer service, leadership and management. Directly comparable to Axia on apprenticeship-focused B2B employer model and multi-standard portfolio.
• Paragon Skills: UK independent training provider focused on apprenticeships across business administration, customer service, early years, and management. Closely comparable to Axia on apprenticeship standard portfolio and workplace delivery model.
• Lifetime Training: One of the largest independent apprenticeship and training providers in the UK, offering apprenticeship standards across multiple sectors with national coverage. Directly comparable to Axia on apprenticeship delivery model and employer-funded B2B GTM motion.
• BPP Professional Education: UK professional education provider offering apprenticeships in law, accountancy, management and leadership alongside degree programmes. Comparable to Axia on apprenticeship delivery and employer-funded training, with stronger focus on professional services sectors.
• Kaplan UK: UK provider of professional apprenticeships, accountancy training, and higher education programmes with strong employer relationships. Comparable to Axia on apprenticeship delivery and employer-funded B2B GTM, with a broader professional services focus.

Broad incumbents

• Babcock International (Training): Large UK defence and nuclear services group with a dedicated training/apprenticeships division serving defence, engineering and infrastructure employers. Comparable to Axia on apprenticeship delivery and enterprise B2B relationships, though operating as part of a much larger diversified industrial group.

Others

• City and Guilds: UK awarding body that certifies Axia's apprenticeship End-Point Assessments and Functional Skills qualifications. Included as an ecosystem partner (not a competitor) given Axia's recognition-of-excellence award from City and Guilds and its role as the primary EPA body.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AxiaSolutions
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true
• Xx.com/axiatraining

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Axia Solutions