Esteem
Esteem Training is a Glasgow-based, employee-owned vocational training provider that delivers Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SCQF Levels 6–11), Modern Apprenticeships, and senior leadership programmes exclusively to the UK construction industry, funded primarily through Skills Development Scotland and CITB.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersGlasgow, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Esteem does
Esteem Training Limited is a UK-based vocational training provider focused exclusively on the UK construction industry. Founded in 1986 by Trudy MacKenzie and headquartered at The Whisky Bond in Glasgow, the company has delivered leadership, management, and business improvement programmes to construction since 2008 and began delivering Construction Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland in 2017. It became 100% employee-owned under an Employee Ownership Trust in 2022 and operates a 4-day working week.
The core product portfolio is a vertical ladder of accredited Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) programmes mapped to SCQF levels: Occupational Work Supervision (SCQF 6), Construction Site Supervision (SCQF 7), Construction Site Management (SCQF 10), and Build a Better Leader (SCQF 11, Masters-equivalent), plus an accelerated CSM Fast Track online route. Programmes run through a proprietary Learning Assistant e-portfolio platform and in-house toolkit workbooks that cover more than half of each qualification, with delivery modes spanning workshops, virtual workshops, and self-paced online learning. Funding flows primarily through Skills Development Scotland (Modern Apprenticeship Scheme and ITA) and CITB grants and training funds (TPN member), with smaller commercial delivery outside Scotland. Accreditations include QS Approved Centre, CITB Training Provider Network, CIOB Approved Learning Centre, and memberships in FMB and CECA, providing routes to CSCS Gold/Black cards and fast-track MCIOB chartered membership.
The company is privately held, employee-owned, and serves construction employers ranging from sole traders and SMBs to mid-market contractors across the UK, with named clients including Sidey, CCG Group, George Leslie, Haldane, and Veitchi. Revenue is generated through commissioned funded apprenticeships (Scotland), CITB grant-backed training for eligible employers, and self-pay commercial training for out-of-Scotland delivery; the firm does not publicly disclose revenue.
Esteem firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Esteem
- Legal name
- Esteem Training Limited
- Website
- https://esteemtraining.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Esteem Training is a Glasgow-based, employee-owned vocational training provider that delivers Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SCQF Levels 6–11), Modern Apprenticeships, and senior leadership programmes exclusively to the UK construction industry, funded primarily through Skills Development Scotland and CITB.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Esteem industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Construction Industry Training
- NAICS
- Apprenticeship Training (611513), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)
- 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), Leadership & People Skills (Influence, Managing Up, Supervisory Readiness) (EDAAAKAI), Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep (EDAAANAL), Credentialing, Certification Prep & Exam Training (BPACANAJ)
Keywords
Where Esteem is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glasgow
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Esteem business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Skills Development Scotland Modern Apprenticeship Funding: In Scotland, programmes are funded under the Skills Development Scotland Modern Apprenticeship Scheme, covering tuition costs for eligible candidates. This represents the primary revenue stream for Scottish-based apprentices.
- CITB Grants and Training Funds: CITB registered employers may receive achievement grants upon candidate completion, and funds such as CITB Skills and Training Fund, Employer Networks, Short Period Qualification Grant, and Leadership and Management Fund are accessible to eligible companies.
- Commercial Training Delivery (Non-Scotland): Programmes delivered outside Scotland are supported in exploring funding options, suggesting a commercial/private pay revenue component for UK-wide delivery.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Funded Modern Apprenticeship (Scotland) |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | CSM Fast Track Online Programme |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Multi-year contract | CITB Grant-Backed Training (UK) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Esteem product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Esteem Training delivers Modern Apprenticeships and Leadership & Management training programmes specifically designed for the UK construction industry. Its portfolio spans vocational qualifications at SCQF Levels 6, 7, 10, and 11, covering occupational work supervision, construction site supervision, construction site management, and a senior leadership programme (Build a Better Leader), with delivery supported by a proprietary Learning Assistant e-portfolio platform and bespoke toolkit workbooks.
Product overview
Esteem offers a portfolio of vocational training programmes for the construction industry, consisting of three Modern Apprenticeships at different SCQF levels (Occupational Work Supervision at SCQF 6, Construction Site Supervision at SCQF 7, and Construction Site Management at SCQF 10) plus the Build a Better Leader senior management programme at SCQF 11. The Modern Apprenticeships build progressive pathways from single-trade supervision to multi-trade supervision to full site management, while the BBL programme provides Masters-level leadership development for senior construction directors and managers. A CSM Fast Track option enables accelerated online completion of the Construction Site Management qualification.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Modern Apprenticeship in Occupational Work Supervision (OWS) An SVQ at SCQF Level 6 designed for single-trade construction supervisors seeking to formalise their supervisory competence and progress toward a CSCS Gold Supervisor card. Delivered through Skills Development Scotland Modern Apprenticeship funding for eligible Scottish candidates and their employers.
- Modern Apprenticeship in Construction Site Supervision (CSS) An SVQ at SCQF Level 7 aimed at multi-trade construction site supervisors and foremen who need to demonstrate competence to obtain a CSCS Gold Supervisor card. Funded via Skills Development Scotland for apprentices employed by construction employers.
- Modern Apprenticeship in Construction Site Management (CSM) An SVQ at SCQF Level 10 designed for construction site managers who need a CSCS Black Manager card and a recognised route toward MCIOB professional membership. Delivered over 18-24 months via an SDS Modern Apprenticeship pathway with CITB grant support where eligible.
- Build a Better Leader (BBL) A senior leadership programme at SCQF Level 11 aimed at construction directors and senior managers. Delivered in cohorts over a multi-year framework combining residential workshops, peer-coaching pods, and one-to-one coaching, with a focus on business improvement projects.
- CSM Fast Track An accelerated virtual version of the Construction Site Management programme designed for site managers outside Scotland who are not eligible for SDS funding, delivered over approximately 12 weeks via live online workshops and the Learning Assistant e-portfolio platform.
Quantifiable outcome
- SCQF Level 11 (Masters degree equivalent) qualification in Construction Senior Management
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Esteem
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Esteem technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Esteem partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Skills Development Scotland (SDS)coreSDS is the primary commissioning and funding body for Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland. Esteem operates as an SDS-approved provider, delivering programmes under the SDS Modern Apprenticeship Scheme, which forms the backbone of their OWS, CSS, and CSM delivery in Scotland.
- CITB (Construction Industry Training Board)coreCITB is the statutory industry training board for construction in England, Scotland, and Wales. Esteem is a CITB Training Provider Network (TPN) member, enabling access to CITB grants, funds (Skills and Training Fund, Employer Networks, Leadership and Management Fund), and short qualification grants for eligible candidates.
- Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)coreCIOB is the professional body for construction professionals. Esteem is a CIOB Approved Learning Centre, and their BBL programme provides a fast-track route to MCIOB membership. CSM programme also supports MCIOB candidacy.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Esteem competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- City & Guilds: UK vocational awarding body whose qualifications underpin many construction training programmes. Comparable as an ecosystem enabler whose credentials intersect with Esteem's SVQ-aligned pathways.
- Chartered Management Institute (CMI): UK professional body awarding management and leadership qualifications. Comparable as a qualifications ecosystem participant whose credentials overlap with Esteem's leadership training offerings.
Regional players
- Edinburgh College: Scottish further-education college with construction apprenticeship delivery. Comparable as a regional Scottish training competitor in the same Modern Apprenticeship funding market.
- Glasgow Clyde College: Scottish further-education college delivering construction vocational qualifications and apprenticeships. Comparable as a Scottish regional training provider in the same apprenticeship market, though competing via FE-funded rather than employer-funded commercial delivery.
Broad incumbents
- QA Limited: Major UK technology and management training provider with apprenticeship levy delivery across sectors. Comparable as a broad UK training incumbent offering funded apprenticeship and leadership pathways, though less construction-vertical.
- Skills Training UK: UK workforce development and apprenticeship training provider with employer-funded programmes. Comparable in business model (employer-paid/levy-funded vocational training) though serving multi-sector rather than exclusively construction.
- Pearson (UK Vocational Qualifications): Global education and qualifications company with vocational credentials used by UK construction training providers. Comparable as a wider education incumbent intersecting with Esteem's qualifications ecosystem.
- Babcock International (Skills & Training): Large UK training and skills business with apprenticeship programmes including construction-adjacent cohorts. Comparable as a UK vocational training incumbent delivering funded apprenticeships at materially larger scale than Esteem.
Direct peers
- NHBC Training Services: UK-focused construction training provider delivering vocational qualifications, supervisor/manager programmes, and CITB-aligned courses. Directly comparable to Esteem in vertical (construction), customer (employers), and product (SVQ-aligned apprenticeships and leadership training).
Emerging players
- Skillsoft: Global digital learning provider with leadership and management content delivered via online platforms. Comparable as an emerging online-learning alternative for the leadership/management segment that competes with Esteem's BBL programme.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Esteem social profiles
Digital presenceEsteem financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Esteem leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Esteem funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Esteem 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 Esteem
What does Esteem do?
Esteem Training delivers Modern Apprenticeships and Leadership & Management training programmes specifically designed for the UK construction industry. Its portfolio spans vocational qualifications at SCQF Levels 6, 7, 10, and 11, covering occupational work supervision, construction site supervision, construction site management, and a senior leadership programme (Build a Better Leader), with delivery supported by a proprietary Learning Assistant e-portfolio platform and bespoke toolkit workbooks.
Is Esteem a public or private company?
Esteem is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Esteem founded?
Esteem was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Esteem based?
Esteem is headquartered in Glasgow, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Esteem make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Skills Development Scotland Modern Apprenticeship Funding is the primary driver. The others are CITB Grants and Training Funds and commercial Training Delivery (Non-Scotland).
Who are Esteem's main competitors?
Others on record are City & Guilds and Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Regional players are Edinburgh College and Glasgow Clyde College. Broad incumbents are QA Limited, Skills Training UK, Pearson (UK Vocational Qualifications) and Babcock International (Skills & Training). NHBC Training Services is listed as a direct peer. Skillsoft is listed as an emerging player.
Does Esteem have an API?
No public API is recorded for Esteem.
What industry is Esteem in?
Esteem's product category is Construction Industry Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACANAK, Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs, with a secondary code of EDAAAOAE, Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling. Its NAICS code is 611513 and its SIC code is 8200.