Hart Learning & Development

What Hart Learning & Development does

Hart Learning & Development is a private B2B learning and development provider headquartered in Stevenage, England, operating as the apprenticeship and professional training arm of the Hart Learning Group, itself a trading structure of the North Hertfordshire College Further Education Corporation. The company delivers UK government-funded apprenticeships (Levels 2-5), accredited professional qualifications including AAT Levels 2-4 in accounting, CIPD HR programmes, and Paediatric First Aid, plus a catalogue of online continuing professional development courses. Its customer base spans large enterprises (Hertfordshire County Council, Ocado, Co-op, Ramsay Health Care, Delta Group, Lloyds Banking Group, John Lewis Partnership, Metroline Travel) and SMEs across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Essex.

The company's technology stack is built primarily through partnerships rather than in-house product development: a blended learning platform delivered with Mindful Education for AAT courses (combining on-demand video lessons with face-to-face classroom sessions at the Stevenage campus), an online CPD delivery channel operated through The Skills Network for self-serve distance learning, and a Cognassist-branded individualized learning support layer for neurodivergent and additional-needs apprentices. An electronic portfolio system underpins evidence capture across apprenticeship programmes. Approved centre status with nine awarding bodies (City & Guilds, ILM, CMI, CIPD, AAT, Pearson, BCS, NCFE/Cache, TQUK), a Quality Mark, and direct employer relationships create a credentialed, partnership-driven operating model.

Hart generates revenue through three streams: government apprenticeship levy and co-funding for apprenticeship training (with employer top-ups of £4,000-£7,000 per programme), one-time professional qualification fees (AAT Levels 2-4 at £765-£2,573, Paediatric First Aid at £120), and direct employer-funded bespoke training programmes. Distribution combines direct enterprise sales through account managers and business development teams, on-campus delivery at North Hertfordshire College facilities in Stevenage and Hitchin, employer workplace delivery across four counties, and self-serve online enrolment via The Skills Network platform. Pricing is per programme or per apprentice rather than subscription at the enterprise level. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, and the company has no parent funding rounds on record.

Name

Hart Learning & Development

Legal name

North Hertfordshire College Further Education Corporation

Website

https://hartld.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hart Learning & Development is a private UK learning and development provider based in Stevenage, operating as part of the Hart Learning Group. It delivers government-funded apprenticeships, AAT and CIPD professional qualifications, and online CPD courses to enterprises and SMEs across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Essex.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training and Apprenticeships

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Accounting, Audit & Tax (CPA/CA/ACCA CPE) (EDAAALAA), Human Resources & Talent (SHRM/HRCI Recertification) (EDAAALAN), Education Professionals (Teacher/Administrator CE, CPD) (EDAAALAE), Project, Quality & Operations (PMP PDUs, Six Sigma, Quality CE) (EDAAALAM), Project, Process & Quality Certification Prep (PMP, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL) (EDANAIAE)

Keywords

• Apprenticeship training
• Professional qualifications
• Workforce development
• Blended learning
• Continuing professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Stevenage, England

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

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 Revenue: Hart Learning & Development generates revenue primarily through government-funded apprenticeship programs. The UK government provides apprenticeship funding including the apprenticeship and skills levy for larger employers and co-funding from the government for non-levy paying employers. Additional incentives include £2,000 per apprentice aged 16-24 hired by SMEs and £3,000 for hiring apprentices aged 18-24 who have been on Universal Credit for six months or more.
2. Professional Qualifications Fees: Revenue generated from professional qualification courses including AAT accounting qualifications (Level 2: £765, Level 3: £2,573, Level 4: £2,573), Paediatric First Aid (£120), and various CPD courses. Some courses are fully funded for eligible individuals through government initiatives like Free Courses for Jobs.
3. Employer-Funded Training: Direct revenue from businesses for bespoke training programs, professional development courses, and apprenticeship training not covered by government funding. Employers co-invest in staff development through apprenticeship programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hart Learning & Development delivers apprenticeships, professional qualifications, and online continuing professional development (CPD) courses to UK businesses of all sizes. Programs are structured around three pillars — apprenticeships (engineering, HR, leadership & management, early years, laboratory science, administration at Levels 2-5), professional qualifications (AAT accounting, CIPD HR, paediatric first aid), and online CPD short courses (business administration, digital marketing, mental health, SEND, safeguarding). Delivery combines on-campus classroom sessions at North Hertfordshire College campuses in Stevenage and Hitchin, online learning via partner platforms, and workplace-based coaching.

Product overview

Hart Learning & Development is a progressive national learning and development business operating as part of the Hart Learning Group (a charitable organisation linked to North Hertfordshire College). The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of training programmes structured around three main pillars: Apprenticeships (including Engineering, HR, Leadership & Management, Early Years, Laboratory Science, and Administration at Levels 2-5), Professional Qualifications (AAT Accounting Levels 2-4 delivered in partnership with Mindful Education, CIPD HR programmes, and Paediatric First Aid), and Online CPD Courses (short courses in Business Administration, Digital Marketing, Mental Health, SEND, Safeguarding, and Equality & Diversity delivered via The Skills Network platform). The offering is delivered through multiple modalities including on-campus, online, and blended learning, primarily serving businesses in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Essex who wish to develop emerging talent.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship A Level 3 apprenticeship lasting 21 months that trains learners to work safely in laboratories, gather valid reliable data, perform routine and non-routine testing, and provide technical support across chemical, pharmaceutical, analytical science, and education establishments. Delivered across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire.
• Engineering Apprenticeships Level 2 engineering apprenticeships teaching sector-specific knowledge on engineering operations and maintenance, fault finding, and safe working practices following health and safety legislation.
• Team Leader / Supervisor Apprenticeship A Level 3 apprenticeship for first-line management roles with operational/project responsibilities, covering supporting, managing and developing team members, managing projects, planning and monitoring workloads and resources. Duration 15 months plus 2-3 months End-Point Assessment.
• Operations / Departmental Manager Apprenticeship A Level 5 apprenticeship for managers who manage teams and/or projects, covering creating and delivering operational plans, managing projects, leading and managing teams, managing change, and financial and resource management. Duration 18 months plus 3-5 months End-Point Assessment, remote delivery.
• Improvement Technician Apprenticeship A Level 3 apprenticeship for hands-on problem-solvers who help teams work smarter, faster, and more efficiently using Lean and Six Sigma methods, operating within operational teams to fix problems at the source. Duration 14-18 months plus 3 months End-Point Assessment.
• Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship A Level 2 apprenticeship for those working with children under five in various settings, supporting the planning and delivery of activities, purposeful play opportunities, and educational programmes within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Duration 14 months plus 2 months End-Point Assessment.
• Early Years Educator Apprenticeship A Level 3 apprenticeship for professionals working with children under five, ensuring young children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe, working within the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. Duration 15 months; includes Level 3 Early Years Educator Diploma and Level 3 Paediatric First Aid.
• CIPD & Human Resources Training CIPD-accredited on-campus and blended learning courses at Levels 3 and 5 for HR professionals, providing internationally-recognised qualifications for career advancement.
• AAT Accounting (Online & On Campus) Blended learning courses in partnership with Mindful Education combining online learning with face-to-face lessons for AAT qualifications at Levels 2, 3, and 4. Features on-demand video lessons with animations and motion graphics, accessible via phone, tablet or computer.
• AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting An AAT Foundation Certificate providing basic accounting principles and skills, covering double-entry bookkeeping, basic costing principles, purchase/sales/general ledgers, and accounting software. Priced at £765 including tuition fees, AAT membership, and exam fees.
• AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting An AAT Diploma providing technical training in accounting covering maintaining cost accounting records, preparing reports and returns, management accounting techniques, and ethical principles. Priced at £2,573 including tuition fees, AAT membership, and exam fees.
• AAT Level 4 Diploma for Professional Accounting Technicians An advanced AAT qualification covering drafting financial statements, managing budgets, personal and business tax calculations, audit, and advanced business awareness for professional accounting roles. Priced at £2,573 including tuition fees, AAT membership, and exam fees; Advanced Learner Loans available.
• Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector A 12-month Level 3 qualification preparing learners to become early years educators, covering skills and knowledge to work with children from birth to five years and development of children aged 5 to 7.
• Paediatric First Aid A 2-day practical course covering emergency actions, CPR, choking, first aid for injuries, and conditions including asthma, diabetes, and meningitis, leading to an industry-recognised certificate. Priced at £120.
• Online & Blended CPD Courses Flexible continuing professional development programmes including online courses in Business Administration, Digital Marketing, Lean Organisation Management, Mental Health, SEND, and Safeguarding, delivered via The Skills Network platform with rolling entry dates and approximately 13 weeks duration.
• Employability Courses Courses helping people aged 19+ successfully enter or return to work, providing training in key skills, knowledge, and experience needed for the job application process, with partnerships with local employers.
• Apprenticeship Support for SMEs Support services helping SMEs access the Youth Employment Package, including a dedicated account management team and business development support for apprenticeship programmes.
• Apprenticeship Funding Guidance Guidance on UK Government funding options and financial incentives including the apprenticeship and skills levy and co-funding from the government to help organisations access apprenticeship benefits.

Quantifiable outcome

• Past apprentices progress to supervisory and management positions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mindful EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership with Mindful Education, an edtech company specializing in blended learning courses for professional qualifications. Mindful Education provides the technology platform for AAT accounting courses (Level 2, 3, and 4), combining online video-based learning with face-to-face classroom sessions. The partnership delivers award-winning flexible learning that enables learners to study around work commitments.
• North Hertfordshire CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHart Learning & Development operates as a subsidiary of North Hertfordshire College Further Education Corporation, trading as Hart Learning Group. NHC provides campus facilities, administrative support, and additional educational services. Hart L&D delivers apprenticeships and professional qualifications at NHC campuses in Stevenage and Hitchin.
• City & GuildscoreTechnology or IntegrationAccredited awarding body for apprenticeship qualifications and assessments. City & Guilds provides the framework for various apprenticeship standards including engineering and construction programs.
• Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM)coreTechnology or IntegrationApproved centre status for delivering ILM leadership and management qualifications. ILM credentials are embedded in team leader and operations manager apprenticeship programs.
• Chartered Management Institute (CMI)coreTechnology or IntegrationApproved centre status for delivering CMI qualifications including Level 3 Certificate in Principles of Management and Leadership and Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership, integrated into apprenticeship programs.
• CIPDcoreTechnology or IntegrationApproved centre status for delivering CIPD-accredited HR and people practice qualifications. CIPD credentials available from foundation to advanced level.
• Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for delivering AAT accounting qualifications at Levels 2, 3, and 4 through blended learning format. AAT provides accreditation, membership, and exam framework.
• NCFE/CachecoreTechnology or IntegrationAccredited by NCFE/Cache for various professional qualifications including early years and childcare courses.
• The Skills NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline learning platform partnership for delivering CPD courses. The Skills Network platform hosts Hart Learning & Development's online professional development courses including business administration, digital marketing, mental health, SEND, and other vocational topics.
• Hart Schools TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Hart Learning Group ecosystem. Hart Schools Trust is a multi-academy trust including Thomas Alleyne Academy and Roebuck Primary School in Stevenage.
• STEM Discovery CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Hart Learning Group ecosystem. The STEM Discovery Centre is an education facility inspiring young people to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, and maths.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Kaplan UK: Large UK apprenticeship, professional qualification, and training provider with broader portfolio across financial services, accounting, and management. Comparable in AAT/CIPD delivery and apprenticeship scale, but operates at materially larger scale.

Direct peers

• Learning Curve Group: UK training provider offering apprenticeships and vocational qualifications across multiple sectors via distance learning and online platforms. Comparable in online CPD delivery model through The Skills Network-like platforms.
• Lifetime Training: UK apprenticeship provider delivering programs across health, social care, childcare, and business services. Direct competitor in early years, healthcare, and leadership apprenticeships.
• Estio Training: UK IT and digital apprenticeships provider with BCS-approved centre status. Overlaps with Hart L&D's BCS accreditation and IT training, serving similar employer cohorts.
• Babington Business College: UK specialist apprenticeship and professional training provider offering accountancy, leadership, and sector-specific apprenticeships. Closely comparable in apprenticeship portfolio breadth, employer-funded delivery model, and blended learning approach.
• Corndel: UK leadership and management apprenticeship provider focused on Level 5/7 programs for major UK employers. Direct overlap in organisational leadership and management apprenticeship offerings.

Regional players

• Aspire Training Solutions: UK apprenticeship provider operating primarily in the North West with similar sector coverage. Comparable apprenticeship delivery model but different geographic focus.

Emerging players

• Multiverse: UK-focused digital apprenticeship provider specialising in data, tech, and leadership apprenticeships. Comparable apprenticeship delivery model with technology-led differentiation; primarily targets large enterprise employers.

Others

• The Skills Network: Online CPD and distance learning platform partner that hosts Hart L&D's CPD courses. Acts as both a channel partner and an adjacent provider of online vocational courses in overlapping subjects.
• Mindful Education: Edtech platform partner providing blended learning technology for Hart L&D's AAT accounting courses. While not a direct competitor, it is an enabling technology peer whose platform is integral to Hart L&D's differentiation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Hart Learning & Development