APAR
SUPPORT

APAR Application Expert Support

The Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR) is the gateway to delivering funded apprenticeships. The application process is high stakes and highly detailed. If you are unsuccessful, you will not be able to deliver government funded apprenticeships until you are accepted onto the register.

How Skills Office Network supports your APAR application

We tailor our support to your starting point, timelines and experience with apprenticeships. Typically, this includes some or all of the following:

1. APAR Readiness Review

A high-level review to understand your apprenticeship plans, current delivery (if any) and existing policies and processes. We highlight gaps against APAR requirements and agree a realistic action plan.

3. Full application support – preparation and drafting

For organisations that want more hands-on help, we can:

Work with you to shape your apprenticeship offer and delivery model
Draft or refine responses based on detailed conversations with your team
Align policies, procedures and quality processes to DfE expectations
Highlight areas where your practice needs strengthening before you apply

All content remains specific to your organisation. We do not use generic, “off-the-shelf” templates that do not match what is actually happening in your organisation.

4. Refresh, re-application and change of circumstances

Already on APAR or applying again? We can:

Review your previous application and feedback
Help you respond to DfE feedback and conditions
Update responses and evidence in line with delivery changes
Prepare you for future refresh points and monitoring activity

5. Employer-providers and specialist routes

We also support employers that wish to become employer-providers, as well as specialist or niche providers who need help articulating their apprenticeship offer clearly and compliantly.

2. Critical-friend review of draft responses

If you prefer to write your own application, we act as a critical friend:

Review your draft responses against APAR criteria
Check consistency with policies, procedures and delivery
Provide written feedback, suggestions and risk areas
Identify where further evidence or clarification is needed

Why training providers choose Skills Office Network

Choosing the right support for an APAR application can make a significant difference to your success.

At Skills Office Network, we combine sector insight with hands-on experience to help you prepare a confident, credible submission.

Honest, practical advice

We are transparent about your readiness and any gaps we identify. Our guidance focuses on realistic improvements that strengthen both your application and your long-term delivery model.

Tailored to your organisation

We take time to understand your strategy, sectors and learners before shaping any responses. Everything we create aligns with your real-world processes - not generic templates.

Deep apprenticeship and compliance expertise

We work across ILR, funding rules, audits and Ofsted every day. This gives us a clear view of what strong apprenticeship delivery looks like and keeps your APAR application grounded in real quality.

Proven support for successful applications

We’ve supported employers, specialist providers and industry bodies to secure APAR success. Our cross-sector experience helps us clearly present your strengths to the DfE.