About us
Across the UK, Aptem is delighting training and employability providers, universities, colleges, tutors, assessors, employers and, most importantly, learners and jobseekers.
We were founded in 2009
There are over 100 of us
Supporting nearly 200 customers
And 130,000 learners and jobseekers
We’ve won 12 major industry awards
And have several certifications including ISO 9001 and ISO 27001, CHECK and Cyber Essentials Plus
Our partnership approach
Aptem was created to produce innovative technology products that support the delivery of complex, regulated skills and employability programmes. We have a simple mission – to develop technology solutions that enable people to learn and improve their lives.
Our partnership approach
We believe in a partnership approach, which is why our team is made up of industry experts who have worked in training providers, colleges, universities and employability providers. We have the set up you’d expect from any leading SaaS provider, including consultative business development, implementation, customer success and support, product, engineering and supporting business functions.
Trusted by
Expert support throughout your time with us
You can be confident that our Product team works collaboratively with your day-to-day Aptem contacts. We are privileged to have industry experts across Aptem, and we provide many opportunities to gain feedback and insights from customers.
Helping you to get started with Aptem
Our Business Development team is highly experienced in the skills and employability sector, each with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by mid-sized to large ITPs, employability providers, universities, colleges and employer providers. They will take you through the product, helping you to assess whether it’s right for your organisation.
Providing unrivalled sector expertise
You can be confident that our Product team works collaboratively with your day-to-day Aptem contacts. We are privileged to have industry experts across Aptem, and we provide many opportunities to gain feedback and insights from customers.
Personalised implementation
Each Aptem customer is supported by a dedicated team of Implementation Consultants, all of whom have a proven track record in implementing apprenticeship delivery systems. Feedback on the support during this critical implementation period is consistently glowing.
Supporting you post-implementation
Our Customer Success and Customer Support teams manage the relationship post-implementation. They have backgrounds in supporting SaaS technology products combined with industry experience.
Helping you get the most from your data
Your analytics requirements are supported by our Data Analytics and Research team.
Opportunities to join the Aptem community
We facilitate a network of industry peers. Customers are invited to become members of our forums and roundtables to come together regularly to discuss industry issues, product updates, and advise each other on delivery of apprenticeships. We run regular consultations with customers, giving them a voice in our product development.
Our story
2010
MyWorkSearch was formed to provide a scalable technology solution addressing unemployment following the 2008 financial crash.
2015
MyWorkSearch was one of the largest SaaS employability programme delivery providers.
2016
As unemployment declined, we pivoted our technology into Apprenticeships, rebranding as MWS Technology.
2017
Aptem launched with our first client – Corndel, and soon grew to service colleges, universities and training providers.
2020
Due to Covid we relaunched MyWorkSearch as Aptem Employ, securing large government contracts.
2022
Aptem is the market-leading, apprenticeship end-to-end platform, used by nearly 200 customers and 100k learners.
2025
Aptem is driving greater efficiency and quality for its customers through adoption of AI and language technology.
The things that matter to us - our company values
Expertise
We commit to build our knowledge and skills for the benefit of our business and our customers
Impact
We are outcome-focused, collaborate effectively, and use our time wisely to maximise our impact
Accountability
We take personal responsibility and ownership for our decisions, actions and results
Excellence
Quality underpins everything we do; we strive for operational excellence
Respect
We foster inclusivity and treat others with empathy and consideration
Proactivity
We grasp hold of opportunities to improve things, even if they are not our direct responsibility
Our leaders
We have a management team that represents all areas of the business, backed by a Board:
Richard Alberg
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
Richard is Founder and Executive Chairman of Aptem. Prior to Aptem, Richard founded Psychometric Services Ltd (PSL). PSL developed and published psychometric tests and was a pioneer in the field of online recruitment, integrating assessment with recruitment workflow software. The company was purchased by Kenexa, that was in turn acquired by IBM. Richard co-founded Corndel, a highly successful apprenticeship training provider, and is non-executive director of Oxford Risk Ltd.
Yetunde Ayodele
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Yetty joined Aptem in 2020. She is a chartered global management accountant with over 15 years’ experience managing, digitalising, and transforming finance and reporting functions across various industries. Yetty has spent the last 10 years of her career using data as an enabler to drive finance decision-making to enhance business performance. Yetty heads our finance team.
David Devine
CHIEF SALES OFFICER
David joined Aptem in 2018, bringing with him a wealth of experience, leading business development teams in large corporates and startups selling HR technology. In addition, David has over 10 years working in professional bodies implementing Frameworks and Standards in large multinationals and central government.
Isla Lightfoot
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
Isla joined Aptem in 2020, having previously consulted for brands including Nissan, Diageo, and HSBC. She developed and executed the marketing strategy for the largest change programme at Barclays, worked with Worldpay to set up their communications function and deliver their rebrand, and most recently set up the marketing function and rebranded Corndel. Isla holds an MBA, a post-graduate with Distinction in Digital Marketing and is a member of the IDM. She is responsible for oversight and delivery of all marketing activities.
James Love
CHIEF PRODUCT OFFICER
James leads the vision, strategy, and execution of innovative and scalable cloud-based technologies that empower education and employability providers to deliver better outcomes for learners and employers. He has over 15 years of experience in launching, growing, and maintaining market-leading B2B SaaS products for global scale-up and enterprise software development businesses.
Rien Sach
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Rien joined Aptem in 2022 as Chief Technology Officer and became Chief Executive in 2025. Rien has a strong background in leading product development organisations in both VC and PE-backed companies, with a passion for building great products and creating empowered, motivated teams. Rien has a BSc in software engineering, a PhD in psychology and software engineering, and an Executive MBA.
Christine Weddell
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Christine joined Aptem in 2020. She is a chartered accountant and has extensive experience in process improvement and providing outstanding client service. Christine spent 10 years at PwC and prior to Aptem worked at a high growth technology start up leading the implementation function and client onboarding process. Christine is responsible for overseeing all business operations at Aptem.
Isla Lightfoot
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
Isla joined Aptem in 2020, having previously consulted for brands including Nissan, Diageo, and HSBC. She developed and executed the marketing strategy for the largest change programme at Barclays, worked with Worldpay to set up their communications function and deliver their rebrand, and most recently set up the marketing function and rebranded Corndel. Isla holds a post-graduate with Distinction in Digital Marketing and is a member of the IDM. She is responsible for oversight and delivery of all marketing activities.
Rien Sach
DEPUTY CEO AND CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Rien joined Aptem in 2022. Rien has a strong background in leading product development organisations in both VC and PE-backed companies, with a passion for building great products and creating empowered, motivated teams. Rien has a BSc in software engineering, a PhD in psychology and software engineering, and an Executive MBA.
We're award winning and accredited
And we work with some fantastic organisations to deliver value beyond our products
Aptem news and events - get involved
We regularly host events and training, publish articles, white papers and eBooks, and commission research. Have a browse and get involved:
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Events
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Webinars
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Resources
Industry events
Bett UK
Wednesday 21 January – Friday 23 January | Excel, London
This event aims to unite educators, technologists, and policymakers to explore the latest innovations in educational technology and discuss the future of learning. The Aptem Assess team will be exhibiting at this event.
FIN Essential Inspection Preparation Bootcamp
Tuesday 27 January – Wednesday 28 January 2026 | FIN office, Shropshire
Our friends at the Fellowship of Inspection Nominees (FIN) are holding one of their very popular inspection preparation bootcamps, sponsored by Aptem. This two-day residential programme provides real insight into the education inspection framework, challenging perceptions and testing resilience. Recommended for Nominees, Shadow Nominees, Senior and Middle Managers, and Curriculum Champions, who want to be at the top of their game and inspection ready.
The Apprenticeships Conference
Tuesday 24 February 2026 | Millennium Point, Birmingham
Come and meet the Aptem team at this one-day event run by The Apprenticeships & Skills Group. The conference brings together professionals involved in apprenticeships and skills development to explore and adapt to evolving apprenticeship and skills policies. This year’s theme is ‘Future-Proofing Apprenticeships: Skills, Systems, and Sustainability’. Aptem is proud to be workshop sponsor.
A Day with Ofsted 2026 – AELP
Wednesday 25 February 2026 | The Crowne Plaza, Nottingham
Aptem is exhibiting at this hugely topical event run by AELP. Come and meet the team and discover how Aptem is best placed to support the 2025 Ofsted Inspection Framework.
Apprenticeships & Training Conference (ATC) 2026
Monday 2 March – Tuesday 3 March 2026 | ACC, Liverpool
Aptem is proud to be exhibition sponsor at this flagship event. For the second year, it takes place in Liverpool, and is the UK’s leading conference for skills, apprenticeships & workforce training. Aptem is delighted to be running a workshop ‘Efficiency unlocked: peer-led table talks on streamlining the apprenticeship learner journey’, facilitated by Claire Sykes and with contributions from providers.
A Day with the Departments 2026 – AELP
Tuesday 24 March 2026 | IET, Birmingham
Aptem is delighted to be headline sponsor at this inaugural event run by the AELP. As responsibilities for skills and employment evolve between the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions, this summit will examine where policy now sits, what remains within DfE’s remit, and what this means for sector organisations.
Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2026
Thursday 30 April 2026 | New Dock Hall, Leeds
Aptem is proud headline sponsor for this inspiring event. The awards ceremony aims to recognise and celebrate exceptional apprenticeship excellence across the UK. We look forward to celebrating with Aptem customers and those recognised from across the sector.
Aptem customer events
aSpire 2026 – Aptem’s Customer Conference
Learn more about the 2026 aSpire conference
Thank you to everyone who joined us on 15 May 2025, for our inaugural Aptem customer conference. From personalised “how-to” sessions and hands-on workshops led by our industry partners to sessions with our Support Consultants, Implementation Consultants, and Customer Success Managers, we aimed to offer something for everyone. We hope you left full of fresh ideas, practical tips, and new connections.
We are pleased to announce that the 2026 aSpire conference will take place on Thursday 14 May 2026, at the same venue, the ICC in Birmingham. Tickets are on sale now and we expect to sell out. Aptem customers, please contact your Customer Success Manager for booking details.
We deliver training sessions for tutors on how to get value from our exciting new AI-driven features.
- Aptem’s virtual assistant: Tutor tips for guiding learners | Access on demand here
- Lunchtime marking aid series | Monday 5 December to Friday 12 December 2025 | Register here
We regular share our latest and upcoming developments with customers and prospective customers.
- Join our next ‘Aptem product roadmap: quarterly update Q1 2026’ webinar on Wednesday 4 February at 11am. Register here
We are currently planning our full 2026 schedule of thought leadership and product webinars.
Recent eBooks
Using Aptem to prepare for R14 data submission and the new academic year – Read the eBook
Cognitive assessment tools and funding: A practical guide for UK post-16 education – Read the eBook
AI tools for managing apprenticeships: understanding the regulatory landscape – Read the eBook
AI strategy for apprenticeship providers: A practical guide to responsible and impactful implementation – Read the eBook
The impact of Aptem – Read the eBook
Aptem Intelligence Dashboard
We offer a free dashboarding tool that makes it easy for apprenticeship providers to analyse trends, see offerings gaps, produce competitor analysis, and make data-driven strategic decisions from the DfE data.
Access the Aptem Intelligence Dashboard here.
Recent articles
Does AI have a role in one-to-one reviews?
Transforming progress reviews: moving beyond box-ticking
How AI is raising quality standards in apprenticeship delivery
A blueprint for successful system implementation
Aptem named Learning Technologies Organisation of the Year at the Learning Technologies Awards 2025
Understanding the 2025 Ofsted framework and Aptem support for compliance, quality and evidence
Latest case study: tend (formerly Impact Futures) & Aptem
tend (formerly Impact Futures), one of the UK’s leading apprenticeship and workforce development providers, has undergone a digital transformation by implementing Aptem’s end to end platform. Supporting over 7,000 learners and 650+ employer partners, tend has leveraged Aptem to drive growth, enhance quality and deliver an outstanding experience for learners and employers alike.
We'd love to hear from you
The best way to experience our platform is through a consultative chat with one of our friendly experts. They can take you through the system and show you the benefits of Aptem that are most relevant to your business.
- Simplify your delivery with Aptem.
- Increase efficiency with workflows, automation and streamlined processes.
- Get insights into your delivery performance using Aptem's reporting tools.
