The Engineering Trust
The Engineering Trust, via subsidiary Engineering Trust Training Ltd, delivers UK engineering apprenticeships (Levels 2-7) and HNC qualifications from Bicester and North Devon, serving 100+ engineering and manufacturing employers and funded primarily through government apprenticeship levy mechanisms.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersBicester, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Engineering Trust does
The Engineering Trust is a UK registered charity (number 287075) established in 1983 by Oxfordshire engineering employers to promote engineering as a career and to address regional skill gaps. Its operating subsidiary, Engineering Trust Training Limited (ETT), delivers work-based engineering apprenticeships across Oxfordshire, surrounding counties, and North Devon (the latter added through a January 2023 absorption of Group Training and Development Limited's apprenticeship programme). Core products are apprenticeship programmes at Levels 2 through 7, ranging from Intermediate (GCSE-equivalent, 12-18 months) through Advanced (A-level equivalent, 24-48 months) to Higher (HNC/foundation degree, 18-24 months) and degree-level qualifications, alongside a part-time HNC in Engineering delivered at The Engineering Skills Academy (TESA) in Bicester.
Delivery combines workplace learning with college-based qualifications through day release or block release models, supplemented by subcontractor partnerships with at least seven UK colleges (including PETROC, Derby College Group, Warwickshire College, SETA, South Essex College, HRUC, and IPS Kent). The training officer team consists entirely of practising engineers providing employer-led standard selection, six-week review meetings, and end-to-end apprentice recruitment services. The customer base spans 100+ engineering and manufacturing employers across verticals including motorsport (Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team), rail (Chiltern Railways), electrical equipment (Lucy Electric, Oxford Instruments), torque tools (Norbar), and marine/garden/industrial distribution (EP Barrus).
Revenue is generated primarily through UK government apprenticeship funding: levy-paying employers (payroll above £3 million) draw from their Apprenticeship Levy, while non-levy employers receive 95% government funding with a 5% co-investment. As a non-profit, ETT passes operating surpluses to The Engineering Trust to fund charitable activity including the STEM in Schools programme, careers events, the High Sheriff Young Engineer Awards, and a long-running Annual Awards programme that has run continuously since at least 2020.
The Engineering Trust firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Engineering Trust
- Legal name
- The Engineering Trust
- Website
- https://theengineeringtrust.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Engineering Trust, via subsidiary Engineering Trust Training Ltd, delivers UK engineering apprenticeships (Levels 2-7) and HNC qualifications from Bicester and North Devon, serving 100+ engineering and manufacturing employers and funded primarily through government apprenticeship levy mechanisms.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Engineering Trust industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Engineering Apprenticeship Training
- NAICS
- Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms (EDAFAMAL), Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE), Education & Training Providers (EDABALAI), Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep (EDAAANAL)
Keywords
Where The Engineering Trust is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bicester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Engineering Trust business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Apprenticeship Funding: Training costs are funded through government apprenticeship funding mechanisms. Levy-paying employers (payroll over £3 million) use their apprenticeship levy. Non-levy paying employers receive 95% government funding with 5% co-investment contribution. Funding covers training by the Training Provider and cannot be used for wages.
- Non-Profit Surplus Donations: Engineering Trust Training Ltd (ETT) is a non-profit organization. Any operating surpluses are passed to The Engineering Trust (parent charity) to support its charitable work promoting engineering to young people.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Levy Employer Apprenticeship Funding |
| Subscription | Annual | Non-Levy Employer Co-Investment |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Engineering Trust product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Engineering Trust, through its operating subsidiary Engineering Trust Training Limited (ETT), delivers work-based engineering, manufacturing and maintenance apprenticeships at Levels 2 through 7 across Oxfordshire, the Thames Valley and surrounding counties, plus a part-time HNC in Engineering. Apprenticeship delivery combines workplace learning with college-based qualifications using day or block release, supported by Training Officers who are practising engineers and an online apprentice application portal.
Product overview
The Engineering Trust operates as a charitable organisation with its subsidiary Engineering Trust Training Ltd (ETT) delivering work-based engineering apprenticeships. The core product portfolio consists of apprenticeship programmes at Levels 2 (Intermediate), 3 (Advanced), and 4 (Higher), complemented by The Engineering Skills Academy (TESA) - a dedicated training facility in Bicester offering part-time HNC engineering qualifications. Additional services include apprentice recruitment and matching, employer consultation, and the charitable STEM in Schools programme. The organisation also runs annual awards celebrating apprentice and employer achievements.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Engineering Apprenticeships (Level 2 Intermediate)
- Engineering Apprenticeships (Level 3 Advanced)
- Engineering Apprenticeships (Level 4 Higher)
- The Engineering Skills Academy (TESA)
- Part Time HNC in Engineering
- Apprentice Recruitment Services
Companies that use The Engineering Trust
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Engineering Trust technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Engineering Trust partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- EP Barrus LtdcoreBarrus is a Level 3 Partner and long-standing collaborator with the organization. Based in Bicester, they have a healthy apprenticeship programme. Barrus operates across Marine, Garden, Industrial and Vehicle sectors, importing and distributing engines and equipment representing over 60 brands including MTD, Brunswick, Yanmar and John Deere.
- Lucy Group LtdflagshipLucy Group Ltd sponsors the High Sheriff Young Engineer Awards, run in association with The Engineering Trust. The awards celebrate Oxfordshire's brightest young minds in engineering, with schools able to nominate students showing promise in engineering, science, and problem-solving.
- EAL Awards (Enginuity Group)coreEAL (Excellence, Achievement and Learning) Awards is a leading Awarding Organisation that has sponsored The Engineering Trust Annual Awards. EAL supports employers in developing new apprenticeship standards and is dedicated to engineering skills development.
- Derby College GroupminorSubcontractor for delivery of Level 2, 3 and 4 qualifications. 16-18 and 19+ Apprenticeship funding of £5,400 total for 24/25 academic year. Enables local provision for apprentices attending college-based training.
- PETROCminorSubcontractor for delivery of Level 2, 3 and 4 qualifications. Major subcontractor with £62,150 total funding for 24/25 (16-18: £33,900; 19+: £28,250). Supports North Devon area apprentices.
- SETAminorSubcontractor for delivery of Level 2, 3 and 4 qualifications. Funding of £5,400 for 16-18 apprentices in 24/25.
- Warwickshire CollegeminorSubcontractor for delivery of Level 2, 3 and 4 qualifications. Funding of £3,100 for 16-18 apprentices in 24/25.
- South Essex CollegeminorSubcontractor for delivery of Level 2, 3 and 4 qualifications. Funding of £2,430 for 19+ apprentices in 24/25.
- Harrow, Richmond & Uxbridge Colleges (HRUC)minorAlso known as West London Institute. Subcontractor for delivery of Level 2, 3 and 4 qualifications. Funding of £3,500 for 24/25.
- IPS KentminorSubcontractor for delivery of Level 2, 3 and 4 qualifications. Funding of £3,500 for 19+ apprentices in 24/25.
- The ManufacturercoreIndustry publication that judges the Apprentice of the Year Award at The Engineering Trust Annual Awards. Provides credibility and industry recognition for the award.
- British Motor MuseumminorVenue partner for The Engineering Trust Annual Awards 2026 celebration evening. Located in Gaydon, the museum provides private access to over 400 classic and modern vehicles for event guests.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Engineering Trust competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- JTL Training: UK apprenticeship training charity for building services engineering (electrical, plumbing, heating) — comparable non-profit apprenticeship provider model with employer-funded Levy streams, though focused on construction trades.
- Baltic Training Services: UK apprenticeship provider specialising in engineering and manufacturing with both direct employer engagement and subcontracted college delivery — comparable operational model to ETT.
- Tiro Training: Specialist UK engineering and science apprenticeship provider offering Level 3–7 programmes across multiple sectors — most directly comparable niche engineering apprenticeship specialist to ETT.
Broad incumbents
- Serco: International public services company that delivers apprenticeship and skills training programmes in the UK — competes for engineering and technical apprenticeship contracts at much larger scale.
- CITB (Construction Industry Training Board): Statutory training body for the UK construction industry, similar in being a sector-specific training infrastructure organisation — adjacent given overlap between engineering and construction trades apprenticeship delivery.
- Babcock International: Large engineering and apprenticeship training provider across defence, nuclear, and infrastructure — competes for the same UK engineering employer training budgets and Levy funding as ETT, but at much greater scale and with national reach.
- Learning Curve Group: UK training and apprenticeship provider with multi-sector coverage including engineering — comparable funding-driven business model with broader geographic and sector footprint.
- BPP Professional Education: Larger UK training provider offering professional apprenticeships including engineering pathways — competes for employer training spend and operates at significantly greater national scale.
- Lifetime Training: Large UK apprenticeship provider across multiple sectors including engineering, with national employer relationships and similar reliance on Apprenticeship Levy revenue — comparable business model at greater scale.
Others
- Enginuity Group (formerly Semta): UK engineering skills body that develops apprenticeship standards and supports engineering workforce development — already a partner of ETT through EAL Awards sponsorship and adjacent in the engineering apprenticeship ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Engineering Trust social profiles
Digital presenceThe Engineering Trust financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Engineering Trust leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Engineering Trust subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
The Engineering Trust funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Engineering Trust M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Engineering Trust
What does The Engineering Trust do?
The Engineering Trust, through its operating subsidiary Engineering Trust Training Limited (ETT), delivers work-based engineering, manufacturing and maintenance apprenticeships at Levels 2 through 7 across Oxfordshire, the Thames Valley and surrounding counties, plus a part-time HNC in Engineering. Apprenticeship delivery combines workplace learning with college-based qualifications using day or block release, supported by Training Officers who are practising engineers and an online apprentice application portal.
Is The Engineering Trust a public or private company?
The Engineering Trust is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Engineering Trust founded?
The Engineering Trust was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Engineering Trust based?
The Engineering Trust is headquartered in Bicester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Engineering Trust make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government Apprenticeship Funding is the primary driver. The others are non-Profit Surplus Donations.
Who are The Engineering Trust's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are JTL Training, Baltic Training Services and Tiro Training. Broad incumbents are Serco, CITB (Construction Industry Training Board), Babcock International, Learning Curve Group, BPP Professional Education and Lifetime Training. Enginuity Group (formerly Semta) is listed as an others.
Does The Engineering Trust have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Engineering Trust.
What industry is The Engineering Trust in?
The Engineering Trust's product category is Engineering Apprenticeship Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACANAK, Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs, with a secondary code of EDAFAMAL, Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms. Its NAICS code is 611513 and its SIC code is 8200.