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Automate apprenticeship admin, elevate human impact.
Aptem Enhance is a set of AI features built into Aptem Apprentice. Each one works inside existing tutor and learner workflows – the learning plan, the marking interface, the programme flow and the review record – with human-in-the-loop controls to maintain high quality, compliant delivery.
Our four Aptem Enhance features are proven to help providers cut admin and focus on learner outcomes: checkpoint for objective progress monitoring, a virtual assistant for round-the-clock learner support, marking aid with the feedback assistant for faster, more consistent marking, and enhanced reviews with auto review actions for time-saving review management.
- More focused teaching time for tutors.
- Higher quality, more responsive coaching for learners.
- Increased engagement and learner retention for employers.
- Improved chances of successful apprenticeship completion.
By complementing valuable human expertise with a series of AI powered tools called Aptem Enhance, training providers will be able to unlock new levels of efficiency, enabling more meaningful learner interactions, and elevating teaching quality for all. Let's explore the Aptem Enhance features.
Aptem checkpoint monitors progress and supports learner development by presenting a series of questions to learners at relevant points in their apprenticeship. This boosts learner confidence and provides an instant snapshot to tutors of a learner's comprehension of their knowledge, skills, and behaviours.
Aptem's virtual assistant gives learners 24/7 access to information capitalising on their learning momentum by providing answers whenever, wherever, regardless of tutor availability. What makes our virtual assistant special is it is mapped to the apprenticeship standards greatly improving relevancy and accuracy compared to standard engines. Comprehensive audit tracking provides confidence that it is being actively used and used properly.
Aptem's marking aid reduces the time required to provide meaningful feedback on submissions. Customers tell us that tutors spend between 20% and 40% of their time marking work and evidence, accounting for a significant portion of their working week. We are automating the admin heavy tasks associated with marking, allowing tutors to better apply their expertise to ensuring high accuracy and meaningful feedback.
Aptem's enhanced reviews enables reviews to be truly learner focused by shifting the emphasis from note taking to coaching and feedback. This feature eliminates the trade off between valuable discussion and accurate record keeping by automatically documenting key discussion points, themes, feedback, and action points as each review conversation progresses.
And most of these capabilities are multipliers. When operating together, the benefits are even greater than each standalone contribution.
We are measuring the impact these features are having on our customers and their learners. Use the Aptem Enhance Impact Calculator to see the savings you could make. Here's what you can expect if you are a training provider with 1000 learners.
Aptem checkpoint: a 33% increase in planned end date accuracy resulting in total funding that could be gained yearly of £59,400.
Marking aid: 50% of your tutor's time currently spent marking is saved each week, resulting in total funding that could be gained yearly of £130,680.
Enhanced reviews: 50% of your tutor's time spent writing reviews is saved each week, resulting in total funding that could be gained yearly of £253,400.
Just three of the Aptem Enhance features will result in additional total funding of £443,480 with no changes to the cost base.
For more information on these AI driven features available within Aptem Apprentice, speak to your Customer Success Manager if you are an Aptem customer or book a demo if you haven't moved to us yet.
Here is what a provider with 1,000 learners could expect from Aptem Enhance, modelled with the Impact Calculator. See the calculator for the assumptions behind each figure.
3 days
a week saved per customer on review admin in 2026 due to enhanced reviews delivering timely, accurate, high-quality summaries with trackable actions and supporting productive, person-centred review discussions.
£253,440
annual saving
33%
improvement in planned end date accuracy due to checkpoint objective progress monitoring keeping learners on track and supporting early intervention.
£90,000
annual saving
400
hours a month saved in 2026 on routine learner queries from 60,000 messages to the Aptem virtual assistant per year, which has a usage growth rate of 65% as more learners discover the support available.
£216,000
annual saving
50%
reduction in marking time, reduced admin for learners and improved quality and consistency of assessment thanks to marking aid intelligent workflows and classification AI.
£73,500
annual saving
What Aptem Enhance delivers: measurable impact for providers, tutors and learners
Each new feature that is released makes the provider's job easier and more enjoyable, while also increasing the learner's chances of success.
Faster, more consistent marking
Marking aid works inside the marking interface, on exercises linked to the learning plan, so tutors mark where they already work and learners submit evidence and log their off-the-job hours in the same place. It suggests feedback for the tutor to review, edit and apply, and nothing reaches a learner without tutor sign-off.
Marking aid is built on classification AI, not a general language model, so its suggestions are consistent and can be explained, which matters for quality assurance and Ofsted evidence. With KSB criteria mapping, it helps tutors mark up to 50% faster without compromising quality, freeing time for the personalised guidance that supports learner progress.
Aptem's marking aid protects your organisation's bespoke marking requirements, tutor oversight and accountability, while significantly reducing the burden of marking administration. The result is high quality, fully explainable, quick results to learners.
Take a look at a learner's experience of the new marking aid from their learning plan. The learner can see that there is an exercise to be completed. They click on the exercise and then on submit evidence to complete the required information. The learner completes the exercise within the system. This means a smoother user experience and supports stricter version control. Once the exercise is completed, the learner can record the off-the-job hours spent completing the exercise. The exercise is now being recorded as sent to the tutor.
Let's look at the tutor's experience from the learning plan. The tutor can see that evidence has been submitted for marking. When viewing the exercise, the tutor can see a bank of relevant feedback suggestions from the marking aid. The feedback bank is based entirely on previous feedback, given on this specific exercise by themselves and other tutors within the organisation. Tutors can highlight sections of the exercise to deliver inline feedback or create a new piece of feedback to be added to the feedback bank. Tutors can map the criteria to the standard and add further personalised feedback on the exercise. The exercise is then marked as accepted or referred.
Marking aid is powered by classification AI, not generative AI like chat GPT. Why does this matter? Unlike generative AI, classification AI can't hallucinate, it won't present inconsistent results, it isn't biased and it can fully explain how it reached the suggested marking. Marking aid powered by classification AI meets the regulatory requirements defined by Osted and DfE.
Aptem's marking aid is your own walled garden. Your data is used to inform your marking and feedback and never shared with anyone else, protecting your reputation, standards, and intellectual property.
Discover the new marking aid and feedback assistant from Aptem, designed to raise the quality of feedback and marking across your organisation. Improve learner engagement through faster responses with constructive actionable feedback and save tutors time that they can spend on supporting learners. Aptem's marking aid, powered by classification AI, where human insight meets AI precision. Schedule a conversation or speak to your Aptem Customer Success Manager to find out more.
24/7 support for learners
The virtual assistant is available to learners throughout the platform, contextualised to their apprenticeship standard and learning plan, so its answers are relevant to their programme rather than generic.
Virtual assistant is connected to checkpoint, so a learner can ask for help on a question they have just attempted, and enhanced reviews so that they can query upcoming reviews and outstanding actions.
The feature gives learners instant and relevant standards-aligned support and functional skills guidance whenever they need it, and answers routine questions, for example whether an activity counts as off-the-job hours. Every interaction is recorded in a tutor-visible audit history, so tutors keep oversight.
Objective progress monitoring
Checkpoint runs inside the programme flow. It is triggered automatically in onboarding or delivery or set up by a tutor from the learning plan, so progress checks happen without extra work. It presents theory-based and work-based scenario questions mapped to the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) in the learner’s standard.
Learners get immediate feedback on where to improve, and tutors get an objective snapshot of each learner’s understanding to inform their support. Results are visible on the learner profile and in the checkpoint assessments and results report.
Aptem Enhance delivers the power of AI within Aptem. When the features work together, the value multiplies for learners and providers.
First, let's take a look at checkpoint, our objective progress monitoring tool that can significantly increase planned end date (PED) accuracy. Checkpoint presents a series of questions to learners at relevant points in their apprenticeship to support learning and monitor comprehension of KSBs.
Upon completing a question, learners are presented with a summary screen. This is where another feature, virtual assistant, can add value and make checkpoint even more supportive of learner progress. When looking at their answers, learners can ask for help with questions where they have given an incorrect answer, and where they are uncertain about the topic despite getting the answer correct. The virtual assistant will open with the relevant question entered automatically as a prompt. It then provides detailed feedback and allows further interaction for additional information.
Learners can even review historical checkpoints to review or reinforce their knowledge at any point. All of a learner's interactions with the virtual assistant are recorded in an audit history that the tutor can view to understand the learner's progress and understanding. This support for checkpoint is just one of the ways that the virtual assistant can help learners throughout their apprenticeship.
The virtual assistant also provides additional support to learners on their apprenticeship standard and functional skills. It can answer routine questions, for example, whether or not an activity counts as off-the-job hours, that can save the learner and the tutor a lot of time.
The value multiplier isn't just the value of the features working together to support learners. It's the added value of giving more time back to tutors for personalised support.
Working together, these AI-powered features from Aptem Enhance empower learners to take the initiative with their development. They also provide tutors with valuable insight and oversight of learning practices and support more accurate forecasting of planned end date and learner revenue. Discover the full range of Aptem Enhance features and unlock the value of AI. Aptem Enhance, the power of AI within Aptem.
Time-saving review management
Enhanced reviews works inside the review record, the same place tutors already write up reviews. It automatically documents the key points, themes, feedback and actions from each review, so the record reflects the whole conversation rather than notes written under time pressure, unclocking valuable, learner-focused conversations.
Auto review actions then turns the agreed actions into trackable items within the learning plan that tutors and learners can follow and close across reviews. The tutor reviews the summary and owns the actions, so the AI does the write-up and the tutor keeps the judgement.
Customers report that this saves 15 to 45 minutes of admin per review, amounting to an average of three days of admin time per week. Timely completion of accurate review documentation ensures compliance, and helps tutors and learners arrive well-informed for meaningful, productive discussions.
The enhanced reviews suite of AI powered features is designed to reduce the administrative burden of reviews so that tutors can focus on productive conversations and one-to-one support for learner success.
The review module will allow tutors to view previous reviews. Tutors can quickly review all previous review summaries to get a clear snapshot of a learner's progression. The most recent review will appear on the same page as the current review record.
For context, accurate documentation of reviews is important, but it can take tutors a lot of time to complete. The review summarisation tool eliminates the trade-off between valuable discussion and accurate record keeping by automatically documenting key discussion points, themes, feedback, and action points as each review conversation progresses.
To create the review summary, tutors just need to upload the transcript of their discussion with the learner. Users who have opted for an integration with our Teams communications connector will be able to populate this field directly from the Teams transcript. Once the document has been added to the system, a tutor can click on the summarise button for a well-structured, concise summary of the discussion. Crucial feedback and action points are clearly documented, helping to improve engagement, boost accuracy, and shorten feedback loops.
Action points can also be allocated deadlines and tracked within the system. Learners can mark actions complete as they progress their learning. Tutors can review all closed actions. These actions can be reopened when needed. They can also review all actions, open and closed. Tutors can edit, duplicate, and delete actions or mark them as not required.
Enhanced reviews is a suite of AI powered automation features designed to cut the administration burden of the review process in half. These tools deliver more efficient, high quality, compliant review documentation that saves tutors time so that your tutors can focus on productive conversations with learners that support better outcomes. Enhanced reviews, AI automation for personalised effective reviews. Schedule a conversation to find out more.
How our customers are benefitting from
Aptem Enhance
The impact of Aptem’s Enhance features is significant for us. Not only do they give back time to pressured tutors, but these features have delivered a more engaging learner experience, enabled us to embed compliance more fluently into our practice, and helped to drive a high-quality, inclusive learning experience.
Aptem Enhance facilitates alignment between compliance and funding rule requirements and the realities of work-based learning.
Vanessa Jones, Operations Director, Hawk Training
What sets Aptem apart is the way innovation is woven through the entire learning journey. The benefits of AI functionality are clear right from the outset of the learning journey, from a learner’s onboarding through to marking their knowledge check in’s and submitting their final EPA documents.
By improving visibility, communication, and data-driven insights, we can now see and measure impact across both learners and employers. It's a more joined-up, collaborative approach that brings real value to everyone involved.
Paul Drew, Apprenticeships Director, JBC Skills Training Ltd.
The meeting summary is going to be an absolute game-changer as far as I'm concerned! Having the ability to transcribe the review meeting accurately is not just a massive time saver, it also captures the discussion and summarises it very well. This addition is so simple to use and most effective. The previous meeting summary is also of huge benefit.
The two together will reduce my admin time down from an hour to about fifteen minutes, allowing for a much more effective use of my time and will enable me to keep the conversation flowing even more readily during reviews.
Michelle O'Boyle, Apprenticeships Assessor, City St. George's, University of London.
What sets Aptem apart is the way innovation is weaved through the entire learning journey. The Aptem team has clearly carefully considered how AI tools can be used across the system to work alongside our Trainers to boost consistency and efficiency. The benefits of AI functionality are clear right from the outset of the learning journey, from a learner’s onboarding through to marking their knowledge check in’s and submitting their final EPA documents.
By improving visibility, communication, and data-driven insights, we can now see and measure impact across both learners and employers. It's a more joined-up, collaborative approach that brings real value to everyone involved.
Josephine Moore, Digital Learning Manager, Travis Perkins
We’ve been really impressed with the [enhanced reviews] summarisation tool available within Aptem. We have found that it has the dual benefit of saving administrative time for our Degree Apprenticeship Assessors while also focussing the discussion on the progress of the apprentice and support from the employer. This means that the outcomes of reviews can be shared more quickly while the conversation and agreed actions are fresh.
Adam Greenwood, Associate Director University Degree Apprenticeships, Leeds Beckett University
The Aptem virtual assistant for learners is doing exactly what we’d hoped for. As an example, one of our learners asked it about a work scenario and whether this counted towards Off the Job hours. The virtual assistant correctly confirmed it did not - and gave the reasons. This is brilliant. It not only gave the learner an instant response but saved us a 5-minute phone conversation.
Emily Bowler, Head of MIS, Funding & Compliance,
BMS Progress
Having our learners be part of the virtual assistant beta trial was extremely helpful, as we launched with Aptem around the same time, so they could see the benefits of Aptem and its features. Aptem provided clear guidance at the beginning and during the trial, especially around user engagement and how our learners were utilising the tool.
Mark Holmes, Curriculum Lead,
Hawk Training
The virtual assistant and checkpoints are a game changer, and will enable us to evidence in-year progress, which is generally tricky to capture.
The new reviews functionality saves a significant 15-30 minutes of admin time per review. By adopting it, we’re giving Development Coaches time back so they can focus on what matters: helping learners and employers achieve.
Becki Lee
Director of Quality
Case studies
Hawk Training
Hawk Training, a leading UK provider, has strengthened quality and consistency across its apprenticeship delivery through the adoption of Aptem Enhance features including enhanced reviews, marking aid, the virtual assistant and checkpoint. These tools have significantly reduced administrative effort for tutors while supporting richer learner interactions and clearer progress tracking.
Since embedding Enhance, Hawk has seen learner feedback response rates reach up to 99% and saved hundreds of tutor hours each quarter, enabling staff to focus more time on coaching and learner support while maintaining high standards of compliance and quality.
“The impact of Aptem’s Enhance features is significant for us – not only do they give back time to pressured tutors, but they’ve delivered a more engaging learner experience and helped drive a high-quality, inclusive learning experience.”
Vanessa Jones, Operations Director, Hawk Training.
tend (formerly Impact Futures) & Aptem
tend, 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.
“The virtual assistant and checkpoints are a game changer, and will enable us to evidence in-year progress, which is generally tricky to capture. We were part of the pilot group for the virtual assistant, and we have had incredible feedback from learners around that.”
Becki Lee, Director of Quality, tend
Aptem Enhance virtual assistant beta trial
In July 2024, we launched a beta trial of the Aptem Enhance virtual assistant, partnering with BMS Progress, Hawk Training, and Pareto to support 1,790 learners. The virtual assistant provided instant responses to common queries, reducing tutor workload and improving learner engagement.
“For our learners, the fact that they have the assistant available outside of core working hours is great. They could be thinking about something and try to remember to ask their skills coach on Monday or whenever it might be… having that instant response is so valuable for them.” Madeleine Robinson, Head of Operations and Transformation, Pareto
Aptem Enhance FAQs
Why use Aptem Enhance rather than a general AI tool?
General AI tools lack grounding in apprenticeship standards and offer no audit trail or explainability — risks that matter to Ofsted. Aptem Enhance is purpose-built for apprenticeships, generates traceable suggestions from predefined criteria, maintains full records within the platform, and keeps learner data secure. It’s designed for compliance and quality assurance, not just speed.
How does checkpoint support Ofsted inspection evidence?
Checkpoint results are visible on learner profiles and in the checkpoint assessments and results report. This gives providers a consolidated, reportable view of knowledge development across their caseload. Being able to demonstrate that learners are assessed against KSBs at regular intervals, and that the data informs tutor interactions, is exactly the kind of evidence that supports a strong quality narrative.
How does the enhanced reviews AI-generated summary compare to a tutor writing up the review themselves?
Inconsistency in review documentation is a common quality issue for providers. When summaries depend entirely on what a tutor chooses to record, the depth and structure can vary considerably between individuals. AI-generated summaries work from the full transcript, so the record reflects what was discussed rather than a selective account written under time pressure. Aptem customers report that the feature saves them between 15 and 45 minutes of admin time for every review, which adds up to a considerable timesaving.
What is marking aid and how does it work?
Marking aid generates structured feedback suggestions based on a rubric and library of tutor-created examples. Rather than starting from a blank page, tutors review AI-generated suggestions and apply, edit, or discard them. The AI assesses submissions against defined criteria, so feedback is anchored to the standard being marked. This means that tutors retain full control and that no feedback reaches a learner without human sign-off.
Is it appropriate to use AI to support learner queries?
Tutors are the right people to handle interactions that require professional expertise, contextual knowledge of the learner, or pastoral sensitivity. A lot of what learners ask between review meetings does not fall into that category. The virtual assistant handles routine queries directly, at any time of day, freeing tutors to spend their time on the interactions that require their professional expertise.
Where do the Aptem Enhance features sit in my delivery?
Each feature works inside a step you already use. Checkpoint runs in the programme flow, the virtual assistant is available from every page that a learner can access, marking aid is in the marking interface, and enhanced reviews is in the review record. There is no separate system to learn, and a tutor stays in control of each one.
Further questions?
Our team can walk you through how Aptem Enhance fits your delivery model.
Why Aptem Enhance is important to our customers
Hear how these features will help learners, providers and employers to get more out of the apprenticeship experience and build thriving careers.
A learner story
A tutor story
An employer story
A responsible approach to incorporating AI into apprenticeship delivery
Each new feature that is released makes the provider's job easier and more enjoyable, while also increasing the learner's chances of success
Aptem Trust Centre
As part of our ongoing commitment to data privacy and security, the Aptem Trust Centre gives customers instant access to resources that support audits, compliance checks, and security queries.
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