Independently Verified

Real Feedback. Real Impact. Real Results.

Testimonials gathered by an independent government assessor during our matrix Standard accreditation — alongside reviews from employers and learners on Google and Trustpilot.

4.9/5Google Rating
4.9/5Trustpilot
97%Employer Satisfaction
GoodOfsted Rating
matrix Standard — Accreditation Review 2025 Assessed by Kathy Leahy • 9 staff, 9 learner, 3 partner interviews

What the Independent Assessor Heard

During our January 2025 matrix Standard accreditation, an independent assessor interviewed employers, learners, and staff. These are the things they said — unedited and unscripted.
Employer Partners
3 partner interviews
"They have done nothing but impress me."
Employer Partner
"They are small enough to care, but big enough to be on it."
Employer Partner
"They understand that apprenticeships are meant to be employer-led."
Employer Partner
"They listened to our needs — they have built a relationship with us."
Employer Partner
Apprentices & Learners
9 learner interviews
"I feel really comfortable speaking with my Skills Coach."
Apprentice Learner
"It's a personalised approach — my coach genuinely wants me to achieve."
Apprentice Learner
"My Skills Coach is fantastic — so supportive."
Apprentice Learner
"I know they are there to provide support whenever I need it."
Apprentice Learner
Our Culture
9 staff interviews
"It's a family orientated company — you are not a number, you are a person."
TESS Staff Member
"Communication is really open — senior managers are very accessible."
TESS Staff Member
"They practice what they preach — it's refreshing."
TESS Staff Member
"We are learner focussed — we are able to focus on learners' needs."
TESS Staff Member

What the Assessor Concluded

Our January 2025 matrix Standard assessment was conducted by Kathy Leahy, who interviewed 9 staff, 9 learners, and 3 employer partners. The assessment result: Standard Met — with accreditation maintained through January 2028.

The assessor noted that partners were "effusive in their praise" and described the relationship as a genuine partnership where concerns are addressed swiftly.

90%+ retention and 85%+ satisfaction targets confirmed by the 2024 Position Statement
Positive culture with open communication — staff spoke of a strong supportive environment
Personalised learning journeys — each learner receives bespoke IAG and Skills Coach support

How We Deliver Impact

We work with organisations of every size across the country — from FTSE 100 companies to the public sector and NHS. Here are some of the partnerships we're most proud of.
Energy

EDF Energy

Upskilling team leaders and senior managers across EDF's UK operations through CMI leadership apprenticeships and bespoke coaching programmes.

CMI Level 5 Coaching L5 Senior Leader L7
Full Case Study Coming Soon
Transport

Transport for London

Delivering leadership and management apprenticeships for TfL supervisors and operational managers to strengthen frontline people capability.

Team Leader L3 Operations Mgr L5
Full Case Study Coming Soon
Media & Publishing

Financial Times

Supporting the FT's digital transformation with AI & Data apprenticeships, embedding practical AI skills across editorial and commercial teams.

AI People Leaders L4 Data Analyst L4
Full Case Study Coming Soon
Beauty & Retail

Clarins

Developing Clarins' retail and regional managers through coaching and leadership apprenticeships, improving team engagement and commercial performance.

CMI Level 3 Coaching L5
Full Case Study Coming Soon
Logistics

DPD — £140,000+ Annual Savings

Jade Murphy's driver app improvement saved £90,000 and Harrison Stephens' operational project saves £50,000/year — all through fully levy-funded apprenticeships with TESS Group.

Improvement Specialist Ops Manager L5 Team Leader L3
E-Commerce & Retail

BuyItDirect — Distinction, £8k Saved & 10% Growth

Ashton Vlahovic achieved a Distinction using a blend of AI, project management and improvement methodology — delivering his project £8k under budget with 10% growth.

Project Management AI & Data Improvement
Health & Public Sector

NHS Trusts

Partnering with multiple NHS trusts to deliver HR, coaching, and leadership apprenticeships for clinical and non-clinical managers.

CIPD Level 5 CMI Level 5 L&D Practitioner L3
Full Case Study Coming Soon

See What Our Clients Are Saying

Beyond the independent assessment, our learners and employers leave reviews on the platforms they trust.
★★★★★
4.9
Google Reviews
452+ verified reviews
Read on Google →
★★★★★
4.9
Trustpilot
237+ verified reviews
Read on Trustpilot →
★★★★
Good
Ofsted
Last inspected 2024
View Ofsted Report →

The People Behind the Results

Behind every programme completion is a real career transformed. These are some of the stories from learners across our employer partners.
🎯
From Apprentice to Promotion
Team Leader Level 3 • The Openwork Partnership
The challenge: An experienced team member stepping into leadership for the first time, needing the formal skills and confidence to lead effectively — not just manage tasks, but inspire a team.
The outcome: A direct promotion following programme completion, with measurably stronger leadership presence and a renewed commitment to their employer. The programme didn’t just build skills — it transformed how they saw their own career trajectory.
“The programme didn’t just give me theoretical knowledge — it provided the direct path to a promotion. Beyond the title change, it significantly enhanced my personal development and gave me a newfound confidence in my leadership abilities.”
Promotion Achieved Leadership Confidence
📈
Immediate ROI in Executive Coaching
Coaching Professional Level 5 • Snowplow Analytics
The challenge: A high-performing professional at a fast-growing data analytics company who needed structured coaching skills to unlock more value from their team — and to formalise their own career development.
The outcome: Secured a promotion during the programme and immediately applied new coaching techniques to streamline workflows and improve team output. The apprenticeship delivered measurable returns from day one.
“The ROI was immediate. Not only did it help me secure a promotion, but it gave me the tools to do my job more effectively every single day. Having a qualification that reinforces my professional achievements has been incredibly empowering.”
Immediate ROI Promotion Achieved
🧠
Mastering the Tools of Leadership
Coaching Professional Level 5 • University of Kent
The challenge: A coach within a major university seeking to deepen their practice with evidence-based frameworks — moving beyond intuition to structured, measurable coaching that could influence at an institutional level.
The outcome: Mastery of advanced coaching models including Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence framework, with a marked improvement in both self-awareness and social awareness. The result was stronger collaboration across departments and higher-impact coaching conversations.
“This apprenticeship allowed me to master complex coaching tools and frameworks and apply them directly to my role. I’ve seen a marked development in my social and self-awareness, which has immediately translated into improved efficacy at work.”
Public Sector Advanced Frameworks
🛠
A Practical Toolkit for Management
Team Leader Level 3 • Delifrance UK
The challenge: A department head in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment who had been promoted based on technical expertise but lacked formal management training — particularly around team dynamics and conflict resolution.
The outcome: Gained a practical, day-one-applicable management toolkit that transformed how they ran their department. Team cohesion improved measurably, with smoother handovers, fewer escalations, and more confident delegation across shifts.
“The biggest return was the practical toolkit I can use at work every day. The programme focused heavily on team building, and I was able to apply those lessons to my department immediately. My day-to-day operations are smoother and my team more cohesive.”
Manufacturing Day-One Impact
Validating Years of Excellence
Team Leader Level 3 • Agilisys
The challenge: A highly experienced IT services professional with years of practical leadership under their belt, but no formal qualification to evidence it — limiting their ability to progress or take on larger client engagements.
The outcome: Achieved formal recognition of existing expertise while gaining new perspectives on leadership. Despite significant personal challenges during the programme, they completed with distinction — proving that the right support system makes all the difference.
“Before this apprenticeship, I had experience but no formal recognition. The programme finally validated my skills in a way that helped me do my job with more authority. Despite facing personal challenges, the support I received turned my experience into a qualification that proves my value.”
Professional Services Formal Validation
🚀
Future-Proofing with AI-Powered Content
Content Creator Level 3 • Dorset Council
The challenge: A creative professional in local government tasked with modernising public communications — needing to produce high-quality digital content at scale while learning to leverage AI tools for content ideation, SEO optimisation, and audience engagement.
The outcome: Achieved a Distinction, gaining hands-on experience with AI-assisted content workflows — from using generative AI for drafting and research to data-driven audience targeting. Now equipped with a modern, AI-enhanced skill set that positions them as a digital leader within the public sector.
“Achieving a Distinction has been a massive boost to my confidence. I’ve gained valuable skills including AI-powered content tools and specialised knowledge that will help me for years to come. I feel equipped with a modern skill set that makes me a much stronger asset in the creative industry.”
Distinction Public Sector AI Skills
📋
Stepping Into Project Management
Associate Project Manager Level 4 • Dorset Council
The challenge:
A local government professional looking to transition into formal project management, needing the structured frameworks and recognised qualification to compete for higher-graded roles within a large public sector organisation.
The outcome:
Secured a 10-month secondment as a Project Manager — jumping from Grade 7 to Grade 12, a significant step up in both responsibility and seniority. The apprenticeship provided the confidence, credibility, and practical skills to successfully compete for a role that would have previously felt out of reach.

“The apprenticeship gave me the tools and confidence to go for a role I wouldn’t have considered before. Moving from Grade 7 to Grade 12 felt like a huge leap, but the programme prepared me for exactly that.”

Grade 7 → Grade 12 Public Sector Secondment Secured

Want Results Like These?

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