Starting Off

Starting Off is a Northamptonshire-based apprenticeship training and recruitment provider specialising in office-based roles. Established in 1989, it delivers apprenticeships and recruitment solutions for both new entrants and existing staff, working with employers across the UK. The organisation focuses on business-related apprenticeships, including accounting, customer service, business administration, ICT/information technician, digital marketing and team leader, combining on-the-job learning with structured off-the-job training. Apprentices receive regular remote assessor visits, feedback on their work and access to workshops and sessions designed to build workplace skills and knowledge. Starting Off also organises visits to local businesses and destinations such as the House of Commons to broaden apprentices’ understanding of the workplace. For employers, the provider offers an in-house recruitment service to source and match suitable candidates to job roles and organisational culture, while also supporting upskilling of existing staff through apprenticeships. In addition to funded programmes, Starting Off offers private training packages, notably for AAT accountancy and team leader development, including leadership workshops delivered from its Northampton town centre base at Vulcan Works. Their delivery is underpinned by core values of Support, Honesty, Ambition, Passion and Excellence.