Tykes Teaching Alliance and HCAT are proud to be approved on the Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR), enabling us to deliver high‑quality, school‑led apprenticeships that directly strengthen the education workforce across South Yorkshire and the wider region. This approval marks a significant milestone, allowing apprenticeship levy funding to be reinvested back into local schools and communities—creating clear, supported progression routes for education staff at a time when recruitment, retention, and SEND demand continue to present considerable challenges across the sector.

Our initial focus is on delivering apprenticeships that provide structured, high‑quality professional development for Teaching Assistants, with a strong emphasis on specialist SEND and SEMH expertise and meaningful career progression pathways. Over time, this provision will expand to include a wider range of education workforce apprenticeships, supporting a sustainable “grow‑your‑own” approach that values staff, builds capacity within schools, and improves outcomes for children and young people.