AccreditationsWe Invest in Apprentices
WE INVEST INAPPRENTICES
Give every apprentice the best chance of success.
Nearly two in five apprentices don't complete their qualification. Most of the reasons sit with the support around them rather than with the apprentices themselves, which means they're within an employer's power to change.
We Invest in Apprentices is a three-year accreditation and continuous improvement framework. It looks at how well you support apprentices from recruitment through to the opportunities available once they've completed their End Point Assessment.
39.5%
of apprentices did not complete their programme in 2023/24
Source: Dept. for Education, Apprenticeships: Academic Year 2023/24, published 2025
The problem worth solving
WHY APPRENTICES DON'T COMPLETE, AND WHAT HELPS THEM FINISH
The research points consistently to the same things: unclear expectations, limited organisational support for each qualification, and a disconnect between the apprentice, their line manager and their training provider.
37%
of apprentices who did not complete cited a lack of support from their employer as a contributing factor.
Source: Apprenticeship Outcomes and Destinations, The St Martins Group, 2022
All of that is fixable. It just needs to be deliberate rather than assumed.
Commissioned by the Department for Education
BUILT WITH THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW APPRENTICESHIPS
There was no standard for measuring the success of an organisation's apprentice scheme. The Department for Education commissioned Investors in People to change that.
We built the framework, working with apprentices, employers, parents, training providers and policymakers, drawing on organisations ranging from Nestlé and Bentley to the Ministry of Defence, the NHS, the Young Apprentice Ambassador Network and the Federation of Small Businesses. The result reflects how apprenticeships actually work in practice, not how they look on paper.
What you get from We Invest in Apprentices
INDEPENDENT INSIGHT. STRUCTURED IMPROVEMENT. REAL RECOGNITION.
A view of the whole apprentice journey
The framework takes a holistic view of how you support apprentices, from recruitment through to the opportunities available after End Point Assessment. Twelve topics across three areas, each broken into three specific markers, cover everything that shapes whether an apprentice completes and thrives.
Built around your apprentices, not your whole organisation
Assessment is scoped to your apprentices. Your practitioner speaks directly with them and the people closest to them, their line managers, mentors, and apprenticeship or HR leads, rather than surveying the organisation at large. The focus is on the support your organisation provides, not the quality of the training provider.
A structured roadmap for improvement
Your assessment shows where your provision is strong, where the gaps are, and how the assessment can help you get maximum value from your investment in apprentices. Accreditation lasts three years, and your practitioner stays alongside you throughout.
Recognition that matters to apprentices
Accreditation shows prospective apprentices that your organisation takes its commitment to them seriously. That’s a real advantage when good candidates are choosing where to apply.
Everything that determines whether an apprentice thrives
The We Invest in Apprentices framework
We Invest in Apprentices is built around three areas. Together they cover everything that determines whether an apprentice thrives or withdraws. Each of the twelve topics describes what good looks like at Silver, Gold and Platinum, so you can see exactly where your programme sits and what the next step involves.
Commitment
Whether apprenticeships are genuinely built into how your organisation thinks and plans. Is there a robust business case for taking on apprentices? Is recruitment designed with apprentices in mind? Does induction set them up properly from day one?
Topics
- Business case
- Recruitment
- Induction
- Benefits
Development
How apprentices are stretched, supported and prepared to succeed. Are objectives challenging enough? Are line managers equipped and willing? Is there real support in the run-up to assessments?
Topics
- Objectives
- Learning
- Management
- Assessments
Communication and Support
The relationships, voice and recognition that keep apprentices engaged. Is there a strong partnership between apprentices, mentors, managers and training providers? Do apprentices know their voice matters? Is their wellbeing genuinely considered?
Topics
- Partnerships
- Empowerment
- Wellbeing
- Celebration
Your journey to accreditation
How We Invest in Apprentices works
Your journey to accreditation is practitioner-led from start to finish. Your Investors in People practitioner gets to know your programme, your apprentices, and your ambitions before assessment begins and stays alongside you long after accreditation is awarded.
Step 1 of 5
Getting to know your programme
Your practitioner starts with a conversation about your organisation, the programmes and qualifications you offer, and what you want to get out of the process.
Accreditation is a journey
Accreditation levels: Silver, Gold and Platinum
We Invest in Apprentices is awarded at three levels. Each reflects a genuine step forward in how well your organisation supports its apprentices, across all levels and qualifications, and the level you achieve is a judgement across all twelve topics rather than a fixed formula.
Silver
The foundations are in place and working. For example, we will explore the business case for having apprentices and your approach to induction, wellbeing and safeguarding. We will also review your partnerships with training providers, and check that apprentices have a clear development pathway.
Gold
We look beyond the basics into areas such as how apprentices form part of your organisation’s succession planning, and how apprenticeship learning extends beyond the core curriculum. We will also explore the improvements you make to the apprenticeship journey, and how you involve apprentices in shaping them.
Platinum
At this highest level of accreditation we explore, for example, how you extend your reach and impact beyond your own organisation, collaborating with schools, membership organisations or other partners to create more opportunities for apprentices. We will also capture the impact your apprentices are having on your organisation.
If we don't award accreditation this time
You'll still receive our full report, with recommendations for where to focus, and we'll work with you on an action plan to get to the point where you're ready to take the assessment again.
What accredited organisations report
86%
confirm they have a motivated and engaged workforce
80%
report a positive impact on staff wellbeing
72%
report a positive impact on training practices
Source: Investors in People accredited community survey
View the Guide
Maximising your apprentice completions
If you're trying to understand why your apprentices are leaving and what it would take to fix it, we've put together a detailed guide to maximising apprentice completions.
Everything you need to know
WE INVEST IN APPRENTICES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Still have a question? Our team is happy to help.
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
Tell us about your organisation and a member of our team will be in touch.