QA Ltd and Generation UK launch partnership to accelerate diverse talent into Level 4 apprenticeships

This exciting collaboration is designed to address the persistent challenges facing organisations across the UK, including ongoing digital skills shortages, youth unemployment and the exclusion of underrepresented groups from early-career tech opportunities.

By combining Generation UK’s new intensive pre-apprenticeship bootcamps with QA’s market-leading delivery of Level 4 and above digital, data and technology apprenticeships, the partnership creates a structured pathway for those who are unemployed and facing barriers to employment into paid roles.

A core element of this partnership is an eight-week Data Analytics pre-apprenticeship bootcamp which is designed to prepare learners for progression onto a range of Level 4 apprenticeships.

The fully online programme delivers up to 300 hours of expert-led training, alongside mentoring and 6 months of employability support.

Learners develop applied skills in data fundamentals and digital tools, as well as professional behaviours to support them with entering onto their apprenticeship with as strong a technical foundation as possible.

As part of this, with QA’s support, Generation UK has mapped its curriculum to align with apprenticeship standards while avoiding duplication of content.

This allows learners to build Level 3 capability in an accelerated format before progressing into Level 4 apprenticeships developed by QA and supported by employers.

Generation UK has placed more than 3,000 people into roles since 2019, with over 40% of learners coming from the most disadvantaged areas of the UK.

More than 70% of graduates secure employment within 6 months, with average starting salaries of £25,000 and sustained earnings growth tracked over one, three and five years.

The partnership enables employers to use Apprenticeship Levy funding to recruit motivated, job-ready candidates while contributing to measurable social impact through hiring.

The announcement comes during National Apprenticeship Week which highlights the power of apprenticeships to open doors for people from all backgrounds and create meaningful routes into employment.

With nearly one million young people currently not in education, employment or training in the UK, the collaboration provides a structured route into high-growth digital careers while helping employers build resilient, future-ready workforces, alongside measuring their social value.

Jo Bishenden, Chief Learning Officer at QA Ltd, said:

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Generation UK to support individuals to develop the necessary digital skills to thrive in long-term employment. Their expertise in identifying and preparing motivated individuals from underrepresented backgrounds perfectly complements our focus on delivering high-quality Tech and Digital apprenticeships.

“By combining intensive pre-apprenticeship training with structured Level 4 programmes, we can help employers build sustainable digital and data capability while opening up meaningful career opportunities in the digital, data and technology sectors.”

Jess Sewter, Chief Partnerships Officer at Generation UK, said:

“We are excited to be working in partnership with QA. Unemployment remains a significant issue in the UK, and those from diverse and under-represented backgrounds are often locked out of opportunity.

“Generation finds, nurtures and trains motivated talent that employers want, and QA delivers the apprenticeship programmes that ensure candidates are successfully onboarded with industry-aligned training for their roles.

“Our Pre-Apprenticeship Data Analyst bootcamp creates a clear bridge into Level 4 apprenticeships, helping learners transition smoothly into technical roles while building on our work with employers to provide access to a ready-made pipeline of capable, motivated talent.”