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 over
120,000 users
We’ve won 12 major industry awards
And have several certifications including ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 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 users, and launches the first AI feature.
2025
Aptem is driving greater efficiency and quality for its customers through widespread adoption of AI and language technology. Recognised as the Learning Technologies Awards Organisation of the Year.
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
Learning Technologies Gold Award: Learning Technologies Organisation of the Year
Aptem was awarded Gold for 'Learning Technologies Organisation of the Year' at the Learning Technologies Awards 2025, recognised for exceptional customer satisfaction and outstanding results for apprenticeship providers and their learners.
UK Business Tech Awards: EdTech - Finalist
Aptem was selected as a finalist in the EdTech category at the UK Business Tech Awards 2022, a leading awards programme celebrating the startups, scaleups and organisations driving technology innovation across the UK business ecosystem.
Edtech Awards: Cool Tool Finalist - Enrollment & Admissions
Aptem Enrol was selected as a finalist in the Enrollment & Admissions Solution category at The EdTech Awards 2022, recognised by EdTech Digest as one of the most promising solutions in the world's largest education technology awards programme.
British Data Awards: SME of The Year
Aptem was named SME of the Year at the British Data Awards 2021, recognised for its SaaS innovation in skills and employability, and its resilient growth throughout the pandemic.
IT Training Awards - Silver Winner
Aptem (then trading as MWS Technology) was awarded Silver at the IT Training Awards 2011, recognised for excellence in technology-driven learning and training innovation.
LinkedIn European Business Awards - Winner
Aptem was awarded the LinkedIn European Business Awards - Europe's largest business awards programme, recognising success, innovation and ethics in European business
Telegraph European Start-Up 100 - Feature
Aptem (then trading as MWS Technology) was selected for inclusion in the Telegraph European Start-Up 100 list in 2011, a prestigious ranking of the top 100 most promising technology companies across Europe, judged by a panel chaired by TechCrunch Europe.
Digital Education Awards: Business Education Learning Product of the Year - Winner
Aptem was named Business Education Learning Product of the Year at the Digital Education Awards 2025, with judges praising it as a leading end-to-end platform that has transformed the management of apprenticeships, employability, and skills development.
The Learning Awards: Platform Of the Year - Finalist
Aptem was selected as a finalist in the Learning Platform of the Year category at the 2024 Learning Awards, one of the most prestigious global accolades in workplace learning and development, attracting entries from 56 countries.
Education Investor Awards: ICT Platforms and Applications - Winner
Aptem (then trading as MWS Technology) was named winner of the ICT – Platforms and Applications category at the EducationInvestor Awards 2019, with judges praising it as an innovative, scalable EdTech business that created a genuinely impressive one-stop-shop solution for apprenticeship delivery.
Real Business Future 50 - Feature
Aptem (then trading as MyWorkSearch) was selected for the Real Business Future 50 in 2011, a list compiled by Real Business and Red Bull celebrating Britain's most innovative and disruptive young companies under four years old, recognised for its platform that helped slash the time it takes for unemployed job-seekers to find work by half.
Cabinet Office Innovation Launch Pad - Feature
Aptem (then trading as MWS Technology) was selected as one of just nine organisations to reach the final of the Cabinet Office Innovation Launch Pad in 2011, a government initiative designed to open up the public sector marketplace to innovative SMEs, with finalists receiving mentoring from leading British entrepreneurs and an invitation to present at a Product Surgery, followed by a reception at 11 Downing Street
National Online Recruitment Awards (NORA) - Finalist
Aptem (then trading as MyWorkSearch) was selected as a finalist at the National Online Recruitment Awards (NORAs) 2010, one of the UK's most established and respected awards recognising excellence in online recruitment, judged from the perspective of jobseekers themselves
e-Learning Awards: Most Innovative New Product
Aptem (then trading as MyWorkSearch) was named Most Innovative New Product or Tool at the e-Learning Awards 2010, recognised less than a year after launch for harnessing technology to deliver engaging, comprehensive support to jobseekers, from more than 200 entries across 16 award categories.
SME National Business Awards: Business of the Year - Finalist
Aptem was selected as a finalist in the Business of the Year (more than 50 employees) category at the SME National Business Awards 2023, a prestigious national competition celebrating the UK's most innovative and high-achieving small and medium-sized enterprises.
SOCOTEC ISO 9001 | ISO/IEC 27001
Cyber Essentials Plus
HM Government G-Cloud Supplier
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
2-day Inspection Bootcamp – Fellowship of Inspection Nominees
Wednesday 3 – Thursday 4 June 2026 | FIN Head Office, Shropshire
Aptem is once again sponsoring the highly interactive FIN Inspection Bootcamp. This is a dynamic, high-impact programme designed to equip senior leaders, nominees, shadow nominees, and key inspection personnel with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to excel under the revised inspection framework and methodology.
The Quality Professionals Awards 2026
Friday 19 June 2026 | The Midland, Manchester
Aptem is Reception Sponsor at this popular event that celebrates the people and initiatives driving excellence in quality and compliance across FE and employability. Congratulations to the finalists – we look forward to seeing you there.
AELP National Conference 2026
22 & 23 June 2026 | Novotel London West, London
Aptem will be exhibiting at the AELP National Conference 2026, which will bring together providers, policymakers and leaders at a pivotal time for skills and apprenticeships. We’re looking forward to being part of the conversation as the sector explores the latest changes and what they mean in practice for delivery and strategy.
The critical distinction: understanding the opportunity of different AI products
Thursday 28 May | 11 – 11.45am
This webinar turns strategy and understanding into choices. How to design your organisation’s AI tooling landscape. What belongs where, how the layers connect, and how to pick tools that strengthen each other rather than duplicate or drift. If you’re responsible for AI planning at an organisational level, a team-level, or just seeking personal productivity – this is the session for you.
Join Aptem Chief Product Officer James Love for a deep dive into two key AI models – large language models (LLMs) and classification AI.
During the session you will learn why the variable outputs of LLMs need human validation and the role they can play in drafting and summarising information. You will also discover why the consistent outputs and auditability of classification or predictive models can support more structured, high-stakes areas of the workflow.
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: Hawk Training
Hawk Training, a leading UK provider, has modernised its apprenticeship delivery by adopting Aptem’s AI-powered Enhance features. The move has helped reduce administrative burden, increase learner engagement and give tutors valuable time back, while supporting a more consistent, scalable approach to quality and compliance.
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.
