South West Association of Training Providers

What South West Association of Training Providers does

South West Association of Training Providers Ltd (Swatpro) is a not-for-profit training provider partnership, registered in England (Company No. 07465523) and headquartered at Marsh Barton, Exeter. Founded in 2011 in response to minimum contract levels introduced by the Skills Funding Agency, the organisation was created to enable smaller training providers to collectively continue delivering further and higher education across the South West. Swatpro describes itself as one of the largest independent training providers in the region, offering apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps, online and in-person short courses, full-cost qualifications, and bespoke training across nine vocational sectors: Business and Leadership, Accountancy, Engineering, Construction, Early Years, Creative Industries, Health/Public Services and Care, Hospitality and Catering, and Education. Coverage spans Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Bath and Bristol.

Name

South West Association of Training Providers

Legal name

South West Association of Training Providers Ltd

Website

https://swatpro.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Swatpro is a not-for-profit training provider partnership delivering apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps, and vocational courses across nine sectors throughout the South West of England, serving both employers and individual learners via dedicated academies and online learning portals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Apprenticeship Training

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), 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 industry

Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF)

Keywords

• Apprenticeship training
• Vocational education
• Workforce development
• Skills bootcamps
• End point assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

Exeter

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Apprenticeship Training Funding: Revenue generated through government-funded apprenticeship programmes. Swatpro was formed in 2011 in response to minimum contract levels introduced from the Skills Funding Agency, enabling providers with smaller valued contracts to continue providing further and higher education. The not-for-profit approach with low service fees and surplus distribution into learning creates a sustainable model.
2. Employer Co-investment: Cost-effective training solutions for employers, with the partnership offering apprenticeships, advanced learner loans and full cost provision. Some apprenticeship EPA costs are charged to employers (e.g., Commis Chef EPA at £1,024, Hospitality Supervisor EPA at £800).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Swatpro is a not-for-profit training partnership that delivers government-funded apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps, vocational short courses and full-cost qualifications across nine sectors (Business and Leadership, Accountancy, Engineering, Construction, Early Years, Creative Industries, Health/Public Services and Care, Hospitality and Catering, and Education) at Levels 2–5. It serves both employers seeking workforce development and individual learners seeking career entry or progression, using a blended learning model delivered through regional academies, specialist training partners, and dedicated online learning portals (Clicks2Learn, Health & Social Care Portal, Engineering Learning Portal).

Product overview

Swatpro is a not-for-profit training provider partnership delivering apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps, and vocational courses across the South West of England. The organisation operates as a confederation of training providers offering programmes in nine vocational categories: Business and Leadership, Accountancy, Engineering, Health/Public Services and Care, Hospitality and Catering, Early Years, Education, and Creative Industries. Apprenticeship levels range from Level 2 (intermediate) through Level 5 (higher), with delivery through both online learning portals (Clicks2Learn, Health & Social Care Portal, Engineering Learning Portal) and in-person training at academies throughout Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Bath and Bristol.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business and Leadership Apprenticeships Apprenticeship programmes in business administration, leadership, management, and customer service up to Level 5, for employers and individuals across the South West.
• Accountancy Apprenticeships Apprenticeship programmes including Assistant Accountant (Level 3) and Professional Accounting Technician (Level 4), offered in locations such as Bath.
• Engineering Apprenticeships Engineering apprenticeship programmes including Engineering Fitter, Mechatronics Maintenance Technician, Metal Fabricator, Machining Technician, Plate Welder, and Welder at Levels 2–3, delivered across the South West.
• Health, Public Services and Care Apprenticeships Health and social care apprenticeships including Adult Care Worker, Lead Adult Care Worker, Lead Practitioner in Adult Care, Leader in Adult Care, Domestic and Sexual Abuse Support Worker, Senior Healthcare Support Worker, and Operational Firefighter at Levels 2–5.
• Hospitality and Catering Apprenticeships Hospitality apprenticeship programmes including Commis Chef, Hospitality Team Member (F&B), Hospitality Supervisor, Hospitality Manager, and Senior Production Chef at Levels 2–4.
• Early Years Apprenticeships Early years apprenticeship programmes including Early Years Practitioner (Level 2) and Early Years Educator (Level 3), offered in Dorset and other locations.
• Education Apprenticeships Education apprenticeship programmes including Specialist Teaching Assistant at Level 5, offered in Plymouth and remote formats.
• Creative Industries Apprenticeships Creative industries apprenticeships including Creative Industries Production Technician and Event Assistant at Level 3.
• Construction Apprenticeships Construction apprenticeship programmes delivered through the Swatpro network of training partners across the South West.
• Skills Bootcamps Short-term skills bootcamp programmes for individuals and businesses seeking rapid upskilling, offered alongside apprenticeships.
• Clicks2Learn Online Learning Portal Online learning portal for apprentices to access course materials, assignments, and progress tracking, hosted on the Charity Learning Hub platform.
• Health & Social Care E-Learning Portal Dedicated e-learning platform for health and social care apprentices to access training materials and certifications.
• Engineering Learning Portal Specialist online learning platform for engineering apprentices to access curriculum, resources, and practical training materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93.5% of apprentices rated Quality of Teaching as 4 or 5 out of 5
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner providing Operational Firefighter apprenticeship programme. The partnership prepares learners with skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to respond confidently and professionally to a wide range of emergency situations.
• Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship programmes. Offers role-specific pathways including Adult, Theatre, Maternity, Therapy, and Diagnostic Imaging leading to Level 3 City & Guilds Diploma.
• North Bristol NHS TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship programmes in the Bristol area. Supports development of enhanced healthcare knowledge and role-relevant clinical skills.
• Learning 3DminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining provider partner offering Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship programmes. Provides higher-level qualification for experienced teaching assistants supporting learning across specialist areas such as SEND, SEMH, or curriculum interventions.
• GHQ TrainingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining provider partner within the Swatpro network, delivering apprenticeships across the South West.
• White Horse TrainingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining provider partner within the Swatpro network, delivering apprenticeships across the South West.
• Wessex Training & AssessmentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining provider partner within the Swatpro network, offering apprenticeships in Early Years education. Delivers Early Years Educator programmes.
• Train 4 All Construction & EngineeringminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining provider partner specialising in Construction & Engineering apprenticeships, delivering engineering programmes across the South West.
• Be AstuteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSkills training partner within the Swatpro network, offering apprenticeships and skills bootcamps.
• Puffins Training LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining provider partner within the Swatpro network, delivering apprenticeships in Early Years.
• Bema (Bristol Educational Manufacturing Association)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEngineering training partner in Bristol area, delivering engineering apprenticeships. Located at BEMA training centre in Yate.
• Muti LiveminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining provider partner within the Swatpro network, offering apprenticeships and training programmes.
• Swatpro Engineering Learning CentrecoreTechnology or IntegrationDedicated online engineering learning portal providing access to training resources, course materials and progress tracking for engineering apprentices.
• Clicks2LearncoreTechnology or IntegrationCharity learning hub platform providing online learning management system for Swatpro learners, enabling access to course materials and training resources.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Remit Training: Independent apprenticeship provider delivering programmes across health, business, and service sectors in the UK. Comparable in operating model and sector coverage to Swatpro, particularly in health and public services.
• HIT Training: UK specialist apprenticeship provider focused on hospitality, catering, adult care, and early years — directly overlapping Swatpro's hospitality apprenticeship portfolio (Commis Chef, Hospitality Supervisor, Senior Production Chef).
• QA Apprenticeships: Major UK apprenticeship provider delivering programmes across business, digital, and technical sectors. Closely comparable to Swatpro's Business and Leadership, Accountancy, and Digital/AI apprenticeship offerings.
• Learning Curve Group: UK training and apprenticeship provider operating across multiple sectors including adult care, public services, and digital — overlapping with Swatpro's federated, multi-sector apprenticeship delivery model.
• Lifetime Training: One of the largest UK independent apprenticeship providers, with deep specialisation in health, social care, and early years apprenticeships — directly overlapping Swatpro's NHS-anchored health & social care and early years portfolios.

Broad incumbents

• BPP Professional Education: Larger established UK professional training provider offering apprenticeships in accountancy, business, and leadership — overlapping with Swatpro's higher-level Accountancy and Business and Leadership apprenticeship offerings.
• Babcock Training (Babcock International): Large national apprenticeship and skills training provider operating across multiple sectors including engineering, public services, and emergency services — directly comparable to Swatpro's Operational Firefighter and Engineering apprenticeship offerings, but at national scale.
• Kaplan UK: Large established UK training and professional education provider offering apprenticeships alongside broader qualifications. Comparable to Swatpro in accountancy and professional apprenticeships but operates at significantly larger scale.
• Seetec: Major UK training, employability, and apprenticeship provider with public-sector contracts. Overlaps with Swatpro's employer-led workforce development model, particularly across health and public services.

Others

• City & Guilds: UK awarding body and end-point assessment organisation for apprenticeships, including several qualifications Swatpro delivers (e.g., Level 3 City & Guilds Diploma in Senior Healthcare Support). Not a direct competitor but a critical ecosystem partner for EPA delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/south-west-association-of-training-providers

Compliance1 record

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 South West Association of Training Providers