Access Industry

What Access Industry does

Access Industry is a UK-based apprenticeship training provider operating under the legal entity Access Further Education Ltd. (company number 02749258), previously known as Access to Music Limited. The company delivers government-funded apprenticeship programmes across six vocational sectors: Digital, Events, Sport, Business and Leadership, Education, and TV and Film. Apprenticeship standards are offered at Levels 2 through 5, with programmes including Level 3 Content Creator, Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer, Level 3 Live Event Technician, Level 3 Creative Venue Technician, Level 2-4 Sport apprenticeships, Level 3 Business Administrator, Level 4 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner, Level 3 Teaching Assistant, and Level 3/5 TV and Film technical programmes. The company also offers Level 5 AI Leadership Apprenticeship Units covering AI Tools & Business Applications, AI Strategy & Implementation, and Responsible AI & Governance. Complementary services include employer upskilling, apprenticeship levy transfer advisory, apprenticeship recruitment, and student support services.

The business serves employers ranging from SMEs to large enterprises (93 employer partners disclosed) who use the programmes to recruit apprentices, upskill existing staff, and access government apprenticeship funding. Customers span live events (PRG, NEC, 4Wall, Phoenix Pro AV), entertainment venues (Watford Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Theatre, LW Theatres), heritage (National Trust), sport (Community Multi Sports Coaching), marketing (The Chameleon Agency, SquareOne Training), and creative industries (Eclipse, Production Futures). Revenue is generated primarily through ESFA-funded apprenticeship training via the Growth and Skills Levy for large employers (payroll over £3M), the co-investment model for SMEs (government covers 95-100% for non-levy employers), and regional levy transfer schemes, with employers contributing 5% co-investment for apprentices aged 22+ where applicable. Average programme duration is 20 months with start dates in September, November, January and April, and progress reviews every 8-12 weeks.

The technology stack consists of an online learning platform with blended delivery combining virtual sessions and in-person workplace training, supported by HubSpot, Hotjar, LinkedIn, and Cloudflare integrations. The group operates trading names Access Industry, Access Creative College, National College for Creative Industries (NCCI), and Access Sport. Distribution is nationwide across England through direct employer consultation bookings, an apprentice vacancy portal, the Industry Ambassador referral programme, and strategic partnerships with Production Futures and Power of Events. The company reports a 100% pass rate, 59% distinction grade rate, 78 successful completions in the past year, and achievement rates over 4% higher than national averages on the Apprenticeship Accountability Framework.

Name

Access Industry

Legal name

Access Further Education Ltd.

Website

https://accessindustry.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Access Industry is a UK-based ESFA-approved apprenticeship training provider delivering government-funded apprenticeship programmes across Digital, Events, Sport, Business, TV and Film, and Education sectors to employers ranging from SMEs to large enterprises across England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Apprenticeship Training Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Education & Training Providers (EDABALAI), Information Technology & Software (EDAAAPAB)

Keywords

• Apprenticeship training
• Vocational education
• Workforce upskilling
• Government-funded apprenticeships
• Employer training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Apprenticeship Training: Access Industry delivers apprenticeship programmes funded primarily through the ESFA (Education and Skills Funding Agency). Funding comes from the Growth and Skills Levy (for large employers with payroll over £3M), co-investment model (government covers 95-100% for non-levy employers), and regional levy transfer schemes. Employers pay 5% co-investment for apprentices aged 22+ if non-levy paying. Additional £1,000 Young Apprentice Grant available for 16-18 year olds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Access Industry is a nationwide UK apprenticeship training provider delivering government-funded apprenticeship programmes at Levels 2-5 across Digital, Events, Sport, Business, Education, and TV and Film sectors. The company recruits and places apprentices on behalf of employer clients, delivers work-based training via an online learning platform combined with in-person workplace learning, and supports employers in accessing Growth and Skills Levy funding, co-investment models, and regional transfer schemes.

Product overview

Access Industry is a nationwide apprenticeship training provider offering a diverse portfolio of programmes across seven vocational sectors: Digital, Events, Sport, Business and Leadership, Education, and TV and Film. The core offering consists of apprenticeship standards ranging from Level 2 to Level 5, covering qualifications from GCSE-equivalent through to Foundation degree/HNC/D-level equivalents. These include programmes such as Level 3 Content Creator, Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer, Level 3 Creative Venue Technician, Level 3 Live Event Technician, Level 3 Events Assistant, Level 2/3/4 Sport programmes, Level 2/3 Business programmes, Level 4 Sustainability, Level 3 Teaching Assistant, and Level 3/5 TV and Film technical programmes. Additionally, Access Industry offers AI Leadership Apprenticeship Units (AI Tools & Business Applications, AI Strategy & Implementation, and Responsible AI & Governance) at Level 5, and supplementary services including employer upskilling, apprenticeship levy transfer advisory, recruitment services, the Industry Ambassador Programme, and student support services. The company positions itself as an industry-led provider working with both SMEs and large employers to deliver job-ready talent through work-based learning combined with online learning platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Level 3 Content Creator Apprenticeship A Level 3 apprenticeship programme that develops dynamic content creation skills, fostering authentic audience connections through blogs, social media, and video content for employer organisations.
• Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer Apprenticeship A Level 3 apprenticeship equipping organisations with proactive multi-channel marketing capabilities to drive customer engagement through integrated campaigns.
• Level 4 Marketing Executive Apprenticeship An advanced Level 4 apprenticeship developing strategic marketing leadership capabilities for organisations.
• Level 3 Creative Venue Technician Apprenticeship A Level 3 apprenticeship providing professional and technical knowledge in stage management, covering stage lighting, audio systems, staging, and stage management for venue operations.
• Level 3 Cultural Learning and Participation Officer Apprenticeship A 15-month apprenticeship training professionals to plan, deliver, and evaluate educational and participatory cultural activities, making arts more accessible.
• Level 3 Events Assistant Apprenticeship A 15-month apprenticeship providing event coordination, planning, and administration skills, including venue selection, supplier management, and logistics.
• Level 3 Events Coordinator Apprenticeship An apprenticeship focused on event coordination and project management within the events industry.
• Level 3 Live Event Technician Apprenticeship A Level 3 apprenticeship providing professional knowledge and experience in live event production, covering sound engineering, lighting design, rigging, and staging.
• Level 2 Community Activator Coach Apprenticeship A Level 2 apprenticeship developing coaching skills recognised across sport disciplines for community sports engagement.
• Level 3 Community Sport and Health Officer Apprenticeship A Level 3 apprenticeship enabling delivery of high-quality sport and community-based health programmes.
• Level 4 Sports Coach Apprenticeship An advanced apprenticeship blending on-the-job experience with study to develop elite, community, or school sports coaching skills.
• Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship A Level 2 apprenticeship focused on enhancing customer experience and satisfaction within organisations.
• Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship A Level 3 apprenticeship developing business administration competencies with emphasis on efficiency and integrity.
• Level 3 Customer Service Specialist Apprenticeship A Level 3 apprenticeship providing expert customer support skills for handling complex queries and complaints across various sectors.
• Level 4 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner Apprenticeship A Level 4 apprenticeship equipping individuals with skills to drive social, ethical, and environmental change within organisations.
• Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship A Level 3 apprenticeship equipping learners to support classroom delivery and foster development across educational settings from primary to further education.
• Level 3 Screen Lighting Technician Apprenticeship A Level 3 apprenticeship under the Creative Industries Production Technician standard, enhancing technical capabilities in screen and lighting production.
• Level 5 Audio Visual Technician Apprenticeship An advanced Level 5 apprenticeship focused on audio-visual technical skills for production environments.
• AI Leadership Apprenticeship Units (Level 5) A Level 5 apprenticeship unit bundle covering AI Tools and Business Applications, AI Strategy and Implementation, and Responsible AI and Governance, with a 30-hour minimum for compliance, equipping leaders to apply AI in business contexts.
• Employer Upskilling Services Professional upskilling programmes providing tailored training solutions for workforce development, addressing skill gaps in technology, leadership, and business domains for employers.
• Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Advisory Guidance services helping levy-paying employers maximise apprenticeship levy funds and supporting SME workforce growth through apprenticeship training.
• Apprenticeship Recruitment Services End-to-end apprenticeship recruitment support including candidate sourcing, matching, and onboarding for employer clients.
• Student Support Services Support services for apprentices with learning difficulties, disabilities, and medical conditions, including learning support workers and exam access arrangements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% pass rate across all apprenticeship programmes
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Production FuturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction Futures is a strategic partner committed to the pledge that by 2030, every business in the entertainment production industry will be able to offer a placement or apprenticeship. CEO Hannah Eakins collaborates with Access Industry to bridge the skills gap, empower fresh talent, and future-proof the industry through the Industry Ambassador Programme.
• Power of EventscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPower of Events is listed as an official partner of Access Industry, supporting the company's mission to expand apprenticeship opportunities in the events industry.
• SquareOne TrainingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSquareOne Training, Sales and Marketing Director Dan McGinley endorses Access Industry's apprenticeship programmes. Both company directors began as apprentices themselves and they have enrolled one of their own team members on the Multi-Channel Marketer Level 3 apprenticeship. They recommend the partnership to businesses they support.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Kaplan UK: Established UK education provider offering apprenticeships and professional training as part of a wider portfolio including accountancy, financial services and higher education. Overlaps with Access Industry on apprenticeship programmes but at larger scale.
• City & Guilds: UK awarding body and training organisation offering apprenticeship-end-point assessment and broader vocational qualifications. Overlaps as a credentialing and training infrastructure provider in the same apprenticeship ecosystem.
• Learning Curve Group: Large, established UK education and training group offering apprenticeships alongside broader vocational and online learning programmes. Comparable apprenticeship offerings but operates at significantly larger scale as part of a wider portfolio.

Direct peers

• Remit Training: UK-based apprenticeship training provider offering programmes across multiple sectors including business administration, customer service, and digital. Competes with Access Industry for the same employer apprenticeship budgets.
• QA Apprenticeships: One of the largest UK apprenticeship training providers, offering programmes across multiple sectors including digital, business and technology. Directly comparable employer-led model leveraging the same ESFA funding mechanisms.
• HIT Training: UK apprenticeship training provider offering programmes across hospitality, business administration, customer service, and digital. Comparable employer-funded apprenticeship model targeting SME and enterprise customers.
• Lifetime Training: Major UK apprenticeship provider with programmes across health, sport, business, and digital sectors. Comparable employer-funded apprenticeship model with similar reliance on government funding mechanisms.
• Corndel: UK training provider focused on professional, leadership, and digital apprenticeships at higher levels (Level 4-7). Closely comparable in employer-funded upskilling positioning and Level 5 leadership offerings.
• Whitehat Group: UK apprenticeship provider specialising in digital and technology apprenticeships for employers, very similar to Access Industry's digital sector offering. Operates a similar employer-led, government-funded model targeting the same apprenticeship levy and SME funding channels.
• Aspire Training: UK apprenticeship provider offering programmes across business administration, customer service, and management. Competes with Access Industry in the same ESFA-funded apprenticeship market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/access-industry
• Instagraminstagram.com/access.industry
• TikToktiktok.com/@access_industry

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Access Industry