1ST FOR EPA: We assess apprenticeships

What 1ST FOR EPA: We assess apprenticeships does

1st for Awarding Ltd., trading as 1ST FOR EPA, is an Ofqual-recognised End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) headquartered in Stockton-on-Tees, England. The company conducts independent end-point assessments for apprentices completing UK apprenticeship programmes, evaluating candidates against defined competency standards and issuing results that enable completion certification. It assesses 38 apprenticeship standards across four sectors — Business & Administration, Digital, Foundation Apprenticeships, and Marketing & Creative — covering Levels 2 through 7 and including emerging digital and AI-related standards such as Artificial Intelligence & Automation Practitioner, Machine Learning Engineer, Data Analyst, and Software Developer.

The core technology is the proprietary Apprenticeship Assessment Tracker platform, paired with an Apprentice Portal hosted at epapro.co.uk, which together provide online booking, progress tracking, and results management for training providers and apprentices. The firm also maintains a library of exclusive support materials for each standard. There is no disclosed API, SDK, or AI/ML-driven assessment engine; the platform is positioned as workflow and content infrastructure rather than an automated assessment tool.

The business model is B2B fee-for-assessment: training providers register apprentices with 1st for Awarding at programme start and pay assessment fees upon gateway completion, with revenue classified as recurring. The go-to-market is primarily indirect through training-provider and college channel partners (e.g., Multiverse, Learning Curve Group, Just IT, and a roster of further-education colleges), supplemented by a direct employer motion (e.g., JD PLC, Trainline, NHS Mersey Care, Manchester Airport Group). Geographic scope is domestic — England only — constrained by the Ofqual regulatory perimeter, with no disclosed expansion into Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland and no external institutional funding. The company is privately held, with no acquisitions, leadership changes, or funding events disclosed.

Name

1ST FOR EPA: We assess apprenticeships

Legal name

1st for Awarding Ltd.

Website

https://1stforepa.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

1st for Awarding (1ST FOR EPA) is an Ofqual-recognised End Point Assessment Organisation providing apprenticeship assessments across 38 standards in Business, Digital, Foundation, and Marketing sectors to UK training providers, colleges, and employers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Apprenticeship Assessment Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

National/State Examination Boards & Testing Agencies (EDADAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Test Administration, Proctoring & Security Authorities (EDADAFAH), Skills Assessment & Talent/Employability Testing Platforms (EDAFADAM), Pre-Employment Screening & Aptitude Testing (BPACAMAA), Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE)

Keywords

• End point assessment
• Apprenticeship assessment services
• EPAO services
• Ofqual-recognised assessment
• Training provider partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockton-on-tees

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, Others

Revenue model

1. End Point Assessment (EPA) Fees: Revenue generated from conducting end point assessments for apprentices. Training providers register apprentices at the start of the apprenticeship and pay assessment fees upon gateway completion. The EPAO is responsible for scheduling final assessments, carrying out quality checks, and releasing results before completion certificates are claimed.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

1st for Awarding operates as an Ofqual-recognised End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) delivering expert-led end point assessment services for apprenticeship standards across four sectors: Business & Administration, Digital, Foundation Apprenticeships, and Marketing & Creative. The company assesses apprentices against defined competencies, schedules final assessments, carries out quality checks, and releases results before completion certificates are claimed. A proprietary Apprenticeship Assessment Tracker platform supports training providers and apprentices with bookings, progress monitoring, and access to exclusive support materials.

Product overview

1st for Awarding is an Ofqual-recognised End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) that provides expert-led apprenticeship assessments across four sectors: Business & Administration, Digital, Foundation Apprenticeships, and Marketing & Creative. The core offering is the End Point Assessment service, supported by the Apprenticeship Assessment Tracker tool for progress monitoring and an Apprentice Portal for candidate access. The company assesses 38 apprenticeship standards ranging from Level 2 to Level 7, covering roles such as Data Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer, AI & Automation Practitioner, Software Developer, Business Administrator, and Marketing Manager.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• End Point Assessment (EPA) Services

Named customers37 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

37 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MultiversecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh-profile apprenticeship platform partner. Multiverse is a prominent apprenticeship training provider and employer network, making this a strategically important partnership for referrals and volume assessment bookings.
• Cisco Networking AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology education partnership for digital and IT-related apprenticeship standards. Provides credibility and access to IT/digital apprenticeship cohorts.
• Cheshire College South & WestcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFurther education college partner that selects 1st for Awarding as their EPAO for various apprenticeship standards.
• Trafford & Stockport College GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollege group partner using 1st for Awarding for EPA services across multiple apprenticeship standards.
• Bolton CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFurther education college partner selecting 1st for Awarding for apprenticeship assessments.
• Learning Curve GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational training provider partner using 1st for Awarding for EPA across multiple apprenticeship standards.
• South Staffordshire CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollege partner for apprenticeship assessments and EPA services.
• JD PLCminorOthersMajor UK retailer employer partner using EPA services for their apprenticeship programme apprentices.
• Manchester Airport GroupminorOthersAirport operator employer partner using 1st for Awarding for apprenticeship assessments.
• NHS Mersey CareminorOthersNHS healthcare trust employer partner for apprenticeship assessments across various standards.
• Gateshead CouncilminorOthersLocal government employer partner using EPA services for council apprentices.
• BSI (British Standards Institution)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStandards body partnership providing credibility and alignment with quality standards in assessment practices.
• Ginger Nut TrainingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining provider partner using 1st for Awarding for EPA services.
• Boom TrainingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining provider partner for apprenticeship assessments.
• Velocity AcademycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining provider partner using 1st for Awarding for EPA services.
• Baltic ApprenticeshipscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining provider partner for apprenticeship assessments.
• ApprentifycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining provider partner using 1st for Awarding for EPA services.
• Just ITcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIT specialist training provider partner for apprenticeship assessments.
• JBC Skills TrainingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSkills training provider partner using 1st for Awarding for EPA services.
• SWARM ApprenticeshipscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApprenticeship training provider partner for assessments.
• Apprentice TeamcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApprenticeship services provider partner using EPA services.
• Professional ApprenticeshipscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining provider partner for apprenticeship assessments.
• Royal Ballet SchoolminorOthersSpecialist institution using EPA services for their apprenticeship programmes.
• Poundland, Dealz and PEP&COminorOthersRetail employer partner using apprenticeship assessment services.
• EquansminorOthersFacilities management company employer partner for apprenticeship assessments.
• St James PlaceminorOthersWealth management company employer partner for apprenticeship assessments.
• TrainlineminorOthersTechnology company employer partner using apprenticeship assessment services.
• Alton TowersminorOthersHospitality and leisure employer partner for apprenticeship assessments.
• Bartlett MitchellminorOthersCatering and hospitality company employer partner.
• Croydon CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFurther education college partner using 1st for Awarding for EPA services.
• Stockton Riverside CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollege partner for apprenticeship assessments.
• Colchester InstitutecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollege partner using 1st for Awarding for EPA services.
• Cirencester CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollege partner for apprenticeship assessments.
• Runshaw CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollege partner using 1st for Awarding for EPA services.
• GB Met CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollege partner for apprenticeship assessments.
• Cambridge Marketing CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialist marketing college partner using 1st for Awarding for EPA services.
• NWSLC (North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLarge college group partner for apprenticeship assessments.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Training Qualifications UK (TQUK): Ofqual-recognised awarding body and EPAO; competes with similar newer-entrant positioning and overlapping standards coverage, often in the same competitive bids against training providers.
• NCFE: Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation and EPAO; directly competes with 1st for Awarding for training provider selections across multiple apprenticeship standards, with similar mid-market positioning.
• Highfield Qualifications: Ofqual-recognised awarding body offering EPA across multiple apprenticeship standards; directly competes for training provider volume in business, digital, and customer service standards.
• Open College Network (OCN): Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation offering EPA across apprenticeship standards; competes for similar college and training-provider partnerships.
• ProQual: UK-based awarding body offering EPA services across technical and vocational apprenticeship standards; directly contests provider selections in overlapping sectors.
• Innovate Awarding: Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation and EPAO; competes in similar standards (digital, business) for training-provider and employer relationships.

Broad incumbents

• Pearson: Global education and assessment company; offers Edexcel-branded EPA services as part of its BTEC/qualifications portfolio, competing for enterprise training-provider and employer contracts.
• City & Guilds: One of the UK's largest awarding organisations; offers EPA as part of a broader vocational qualifications portfolio, providing scale advantages and brand recognition that 1st for Awarding must compete against.

Emerging players

• Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH): Specialised awarding organisation offering EPA in healthcare and public-health-related apprenticeship standards; partial overlap relevant to NHS and healthcare employer relationships.

Regional players

• Qualifications Scotland (SQA): National awarding body for Scotland; offers comparable assessment services but in a distinct national apprenticeship framework — useful proxy for understanding how 1st for Awarding could expand into non-English jurisdictions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1st-for-awarding

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 1ST FOR EPA: We assess apprenticeships