This year marks a major milestone for Aim Higher Training as we celebrate 15 years of delivering accredited qualifications, empowering learners, and supporting businesses to thrive. I want to take a moment to reflect on the foundations that have shaped our story and the values that continue to guide everything we do.
From Frustration to Foundation
Aim Higher Training was born out of both passion and frustration.
In the early 2000s, I was working as a freelance assessor and IQA across a variety of training providers. While I met many dedicated professionals and inspiring learners. I also witnessed numerous examples of poor practice, from corner-cutting to outright fraud. There were missed opportunities to support learners properly, a lack of consistency in quality, and too often, qualifications were being treated as sheep dipping exercises rather than meaningful tools for development.
The final straw for me was when I walked into a centre where I had been doing some freelance internal quality assurance and found one of the administrators populating over two dozen portfolios with evidence. Worst still, these were for learners who didn’t qualify for an apprenticeship.
This and other experiences motivated me to take action. I believed, and still do, that high-quality training, delivered with integrity and care, can truly transform lives and businesses. And so, in 2010, I established Aim Higher Training and Development, becoming an accredited centre with OCR and later NCFE. We had one mission: to raise standards and provide an outstanding learning experience rooted in honesty, professionalism, and results that matter.
Fifteen Years of Growth and Impact
Over the past 15 years, Aim Higher Training has evolved into a trusted provider of accredited qualifications, collaborating with individuals, organisations, and communities across diverse sectors. We’ve supported hundreds of learners to achieve various qualifications. Some of our most popular ones are assessment, internal quality assurance, education and training, management, IT skills, and personal development. Explore our courses here.
Our commitment to quality has led to impressive outcomes:
- A 98.5% pass rate for apprenticeships.
- An almost 100% success rate for all other qualifications delivered through our NCFE centre.
- Enduring relationships with employers who return year after year because they trust the care, flexibility, and results we provide.
- Long-term relationships with individuals whom we’re able to support as they progress through their careers. Many return to us for support in achieving their professional goals.
But beyond statistics, what truly matters is the individual stories: the career changes, the confidence built, the leaders developed, and the businesses that have grown as a result of investing in their people.
Real Learner Impact
Many of our learners come to us after years of being out of formal education. Many lack confidence and often need to relearn some study skills, and are unsure that they can complete a new qualification. With personal support, encouragement, and a flexible approach to their studies, they go on to achieve their qualifications and make a significant impact in their roles and careers.
Our Values: At the Heart of Everything We Do
From day one, Aim Higher Training has been guided by a set of values that are more than just words on a page. They are the foundation of every course we deliver, every conversation we have, and every learner we support.
Honesty and Integrity
These are core values as we believe in doing the right thing, always. We’re transparent in our advice, honest in our assessments, and committed to ethical practices. We don’t cut corners, and we’re not afraid to challenge poor practice when we see it.
Excellence
Our learners and clients deserve the best. We continually invest in our continuous improvement and staff development. We achieve this by staying up-to-date with changes in the sector and upholding the highest standards in everything we do, from course materials to learner support.
Professionalism
With over 25 years of experience in learning and development and the FE sector, I know the importance of trust, reliability, and respect. Our clients know they can depend on us to deliver training that meets real-world needs, in a way that’s organised, clear, and impactful.
Nurturing and Supportive
We see the potential in every learner. Whether someone is returning to study after years away or stepping up to a new leadership role, we provide tailored support, constructive feedback, and encouragement every step of the way.
Quality
This runs through our veins as an accredited centre, as we know that embarking on studies towards a new qualification isn’t just about passing a course; it’s about developing knowledge, skills, and confidence that last a lifetime. Quality means robust assessments, excellent support and guidance, meaningful learning, and qualifications that carry real value in the workplace.
Looking Ahead
While we’re proud of how far we’ve come, we’re even more excited about what’s next. The world of work is evolving rapidly, and we’re committed to continuing to grow with it. We believe we can do this by offering flexible, future-focused qualifications and training solutions that meet the needs of modern learners and businesses.
As we celebrate 15 years, we want to thank every learner, employer, partner, and supporter who’s been part of our journey. Your trust and belief in our values have allowed us to grow, improve, and make a lasting difference.
Here’s to the next chapter. We’re still guided by the same values and the same unwavering commitment to helping people aim higher and achieve more.
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