Most employers use an external training organisation to provide the apprenticeship training. There are 3 types of provider:
- Main provider – The main provider enters into contracts with employers that use the Apprenticeship Service to pay for apprenticeship training, or holds a contract with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to deliver to employers who don’t pay the apprenticeship levy.
- Supporting provider – The supporting provider enters into subcontracts with main providers and employer providers to enhance apprenticeship training for employers and their apprentices.
- Employer provider – The employer provider trains their own employees or those of connected companies, and uses the Apprenticeship Service to pay for the apprenticeship training.