What The Focus Training Group does

The Focus Training Group is an independent UK training provider, legally Focus Training (SW) Ltd, founded in 1995 (originally as DCET Training) and headquartered in Bristol. It delivers apprenticeships and commercial short courses across four South West England training centres — Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, and Cornwall — covering trades (electrical, plumbing and gas, fire and security, construction skills), business and professional qualifications (AAT accounting, business administration, customer services, marketing), healthcare and social care (adult care, mental health, dementia awareness), and education and childcare (early years, teaching assistant). The Exeter centre additionally operates a licensed NET AM2 Skills Test Centre for End Point Assessment of the Electrotechnical Apprenticeship Standard, a regulated capability few regional competitors hold.

The company monetises through three channels: government-funded apprenticeship delivery via the ESFA and Skills England (including selection for the initial rollout of the government's new apprenticeship unit model), fully funded Skills Bootcamps (Construction, Electrical and Plumbing, Green Skills, AAT, Early Years) for adult learners aged 19+, and fee-for-service commercial short courses priced per learner (e.g., Solar PV at £1,003+VAT, 18th Edition at £350+VAT, Domestic Gas Diploma at £2,380+VAT). It is accredited with City & Guilds, EAL, NICEIC, NET, OFTEC, ACS, WRAS, NUCO, FAA, and others, holds an Ofsted Good Provider rating (Grade 2), and ranks 4th in the South West for apprenticeship achievement rate at 72.4%, outperforming all regional FE colleges.

Distribution is regional, centred on direct in-person delivery at the four owned centres, supplemented by on-site employer training and online/virtual classroom options. Marketing is conducted through the company website, open day events, hand-picked employer partnerships, and an active social media presence across Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp. The senior leadership team comprises Managing Director Mark Trewin, Curriculum and Quality Director Bernard Collins (a former practising electrician), and Group Operational Development Director Mark Down; the firm experienced a leadership transition in the trailing 12 months.

Name

The Focus Training Group

Legal name

Focus Training (SW) Ltd

Website

https://thefocustraininggroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Focus Training Group is an independent UK training provider delivering apprenticeships and commercial courses across trades, business, healthcare, and childcare from four South West England centres, serving individual learners, career changers, and regional employers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training and Apprenticeships

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), 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

Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB), Sales, Customer Service & Soft Skills Training (BPACANAD)

Keywords

• Vocational apprenticeships
• Technical training courses
• Electrical skills training
• Government funded bootcamps
• Workplace qualifications

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Apprenticeship Delivery (Government-Funded): Focus Training receives government funding (via the Education Skills Funding Agency and Skills England) to deliver apprenticeship programmes. Employers may use their apprenticeship levy or access incentives (e.g., Youth Guarantee of up to £6,000) to fund training. The company was also chosen as part of the initial rollout of the government's new apprenticeship unit model.
2. Skills Bootcamps (Government-Funded): Fully funded Skills Bootcamp programmes (e.g., Construction Skills Bootcamp, Electrical & Plumbing Bootcamp, Green Skills Bootcamp, AAT Skills Bootcamp, Early Years Skills Bootcamp) funded through government provision for eligible adult learners aged 19+. No cost to eligible participants.
3. Commercial Course Fees: Fee-for-service commercial short courses including electrical, gas, plumbing, health & safety, professional and renewable technology training. Pricing varies by course (e.g., Solar PV at £1,003+VAT, 18th Edition at £350+VAT, NICEIC Safe Isolation at £195–221+VAT). Discounts available (e.g., £400 off Solar PV via Warm Homes Scheme).
4. Experienced Worker Assessments: Charges for Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) routes for electricians seeking formal recognition — Domestic Electrician and Installation Electrician pathways, plus associated AM2E/AM2ED assessments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Focus Training Group delivers apprenticeships and commercial training courses across the South West of England, spanning trades (electrical, plumbing & gas, fire & security, construction), business and professional (AAT accounting, business administration, customer services, marketing), healthcare and social care (adult care, mental health, first aid, dementia awareness), and childcare and education (early years, teaching assistant). Offerings include government-funded apprenticeships (via the Education Skills Funding Agency and apprenticeship levy), fully-funded Skills Bootcamps, and fee-paying short commercial courses at four training centres plus on-site and online delivery.

Product overview

The Focus Training Group is an independent training provider offering a portfolio of apprenticeships and commercial training courses across the South West of England. The core offering consists of apprenticeships spanning Trades (Electrical, Plumbing & Gas, Fire & Security, Construction Skills), Business (AAT Accounting, Business Administration, Customer Services, Marketing), Healthcare (Adult Care, Mental Health, First Aid, Dementia Awareness), and Education (Early Years, Teaching Assistant). Supporting this are commercial short courses organized into Electrical Training, Gas & Oil, Health & Safety, Professional, and Renewable Technology categories. The company also delivers Skills Bootcamps (Construction, Electrical/Plumbing, Green Skills, AAT, Early Years) with guaranteed job interviews. Key technical courses include NET AM2 Skills Testing, Solar PV installation, EV Charging, and gas/oil qualifications. The company operates four training centres in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, and Cornwall, and was founded in 1995 (originally as DCET Training).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Apprenticeships (Trades, Business, Healthcare, Education) Earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship programmes across Trades (Electrical, Plumbing & Gas, Fire & Security, Construction Skills), Business (AAT Accounting, Business Administration, Customer Services, Marketing), Healthcare (Adult Care, Mental Health, First Aid, Dementia Awareness), and Education (Early Years, Teaching Assistant). Funded via the apprenticeship levy / Education Skills Funding Agency with employer co-funding and Youth Guarantee incentives up to £6,000.
• Commercial Short Courses Fee-for-service short courses spanning E-Learning, Electrical Training, Gas & Oil, Health & Safety, Professional, and Renewable Technology categories, aimed at qualified tradespeople, businesses, and individuals seeking regulated certification renewal or upskilling.
• Skills Bootcamps Fully-funded short intensive Skills Bootcamps including Construction Skills Bootcamp (with CITB CSCS Card, Health & Safety Level 1, Emergency First Aid, and guaranteed job interview), Electrical and Plumbing Skills Bootcamp, Green Skills Bootcamp, AAT Skills Bootcamp, and Early Years Skills Bootcamp for adult learners aged 19+.
• NET AM2 Skills Test Centre (End Point Assessment) End Point Assessment (EPA) for the Electrotechnical Apprenticeship Standard delivered at Focus Training's licensed NET AM2 Skills Test Centre in Exeter, including AM2, AM2E and AM2ED assessments for apprentices and Experienced Worker Assessment candidates.
• Construction Skills Bootcamp Three-week government-funded Construction Skills Bootcamp for adults in Devon seeking entry into the construction industry, awarding CITB CSCS Card, Level 1 Award in Health & Safety, and Emergency First Aid Certificate, with a guaranteed job interview on completion.

Quantifiable outcome

• 72.4% apprenticeship achievement rate — ranked 4th in the South West, outperforming all General FE colleges in the region (DfE 2024/25 data)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 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

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Skills England / Department for EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocus Training operates as an approved training provider under the government's apprenticeship funding system managed by Skills England and the Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). They deliver apprenticeships and Skills Bootcamps under government-funded programmes. Focus was also selected as part of the initial rollout of the government's new apprenticeship unit model.
• Hand-Picked Regional EmployerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocus Training partners with hand-picked regional employers who are genuinely invested in building confidence and career progression for apprentices. Employers participate in apprenticeship recruitment, open days, and interview days. Examples include Mayflower Auto Services in Plymouth. Focus only works with employers who care about quality outcomes.
• City & GuildscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocus Training is a registered Training Provider for City & Guilds qualifications, offering a wide range of courses including electrical, professional, and business qualifications under the City & Guilds accreditation framework.
• EAL (Employment & Apprenticeship Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegistered Training Provider for EAL qualifications including Solar PV Level 3, EV Charging Points Level 3, and other electrical and renewable energy courses.
• NICEICcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocus Training is a NICEIC Training Partner, offering NICEIC-accredited courses including Domestic Ventilation and Safe Isolation. NICEIC-registered candidates receive reduced pricing on certain courses.
• NET (National Electrotechnical Training)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocus Training's Exeter centre is a fully licensed NET AM2 Skills Test Centre, enabling delivery of the End Point Assessment (EPA) for the Electrotechnical Apprenticeship Standard. NET applies for the apprenticeship certificate via ESFA upon successful completion.
• OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocus Training delivers OFTEC oil qualifications including OFT 50, OFT 101, OFT 105E, OFT 600A, supporting candidates in gaining OFTEC registration for oil-fired heating installations.
• ACS (Accredited Certification Scheme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocus Training delivers ACS initial assessments and reassessments for gas engineers, required for Gas Safe registration. ACS is managed by the Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers (IGEM).

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Remit Training: Remit Training is a national independent training provider delivering apprenticeships and vocational courses across multiple sectors including trades, business, and care. It directly competes with Focus Training for apprenticeship levy and Skills Bootcamp funding across the UK.
• Lifetime Training: Lifetime Training is a large independent apprenticeship provider with programmes across fitness, business, childcare, and healthcare. It competes directly with Focus Training's healthcare, business administration, and childcare apprenticeship offerings.
• JTL Training: JTL is one of the UK's largest electrical and plumbing apprenticeship providers, offering earn-while-you-learn programmes with employer partnerships. It is a direct competitor to Focus Training's core electrical and plumbing apprenticeship lines and trades test centre capability.
• Learning Curve Group: Learning Curve Group is a national vocational training and apprenticeship provider covering trades, digital, and professional programmes. It is a direct competitor to Focus Training on government-funded apprenticeship and Skills Bootcamp contracts.

Regional players

• Weston College: Weston College is a regional FE college in the South West offering apprenticeships and vocational programmes. It competes with Focus Training for apprenticeship candidates and employer relationships in the Bristol and wider South West region.
• City College Plymouth: City College Plymouth is a regional FE college providing apprenticeships and vocational training in Plymouth and Devon. It is a direct competitor to Focus Training's Plymouth centre across trades, business, and care apprenticeships.
• City of Bristol College: City of Bristol College is a regional FE college offering apprenticeships and vocational courses across multiple sectors in the Bristol area. It competes head-to-head with Focus Training's Bristol centre for apprenticeship recruitment and Skills Bootcamp candidates.
• Cornwall College (Truro & Penwith): Cornwall College is a regional FE college delivering apprenticeships and vocational training across the South West, including trades, business, and care. It directly competes with Focus Training for apprentices and employers in Cornwall and Devon.

Broad incumbents

• Babcock Training (Babcock International): Babcock delivers a broad portfolio of apprenticeships and skills training across defence, engineering, and infrastructure sectors through its training division. It is a large, well-capitalised incumbent competing for apprenticeship contracts in regions where Focus Training operates.

Emerging players

• Baltic Apprenticeships: Baltic Apprenticeships is a growing national apprenticeship provider focused on digital, business, and technology pathways. It is an emerging competitor to Focus Training's business administration, marketing, and customer service apprenticeship lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheFocusTrainGroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thefocustraininggroup
• Instagraminstagram.com/focustraining_sw
• TikToktiktok.com/@thefocustraininggroup?lang=en

Compliance20 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 The Focus Training Group