Almost half of apprentices dropout (source) before the end of their program. Drop out rates are one of the most significant problems impacting the apprenticeship sector.
If you are serious about levelling up skills and providing a lifetime skills guarantee, you need to ensure every apprentice receives the same high quality experience and an equal opportunity of success. Especially now, with a widening disadvantage gap, we must provide greater support and opportunities for those at risk of dropping out.
The government’s target of 67% achievement rate for apprenticeships by the end of the 2024/25 year puts the issue in even sharper focus.
“Just over half of apprentices completed their programme in the academic year 2022/23”
(Gov UK, 2023)
Over 70% of apprentices who drop out report problems with their training programme (source), often linked to a lack of personalised support. Many learners struggle not because they lack ability, but because their unique cognitive needs aren’t understood or supported. When providers rely on a “one-size-fits-all” approach, learners disengage early, often within the first 90 days. This is where early identification through cognitive assessment becomes critical.
Learners with cognitive needs are 4x more likely to drop out, yet often their needs aren’t formally identified. Without proper identification, learners with cognitive differences (like dyslexia, ADHD or slower processing speeds) face increased anxiety, lower confidence, and a higher chance of withdrawing. Many never disclose their needs, not because they don’t have them, because they don’t know.
A large proportion of dropouts happen close to the end of the program after significant time and money have already been invested. When warning signs go unnoticed until late in the apprenticeship journey, it’s not just the learner who suffers. Providers risk funding losses, lower Ofsted ratings, and reputational damage. Proactive, data-led support from the start helps reduce these risks.
Once you have implemented Cognassist as part of your program, your learner’s program is personalised from day one.
From the start, providers gain deep insight into each learner’s cognitive profile. This enables personalised learning strategies that help learners feel confident, supported, and engaged all before cognitive challenges escalate into dropout risk.
Smarter support means more confident tutors and improved learner success rate.
Your staff aren’t expected to become specialists in cognitive science. Cognassist gives them simple, effective strategies to support learners in a way that’s practical and scalable. It’s support that fits into existing workflows, not extra admin.
The real difference has been having it embedded at the very start. Learners that have really engrossed themselves into it from the beginning have seen the power of it and it’s been able to support them, not only in their work but around their life and dealing with different areas. We found that with our functional skills as well.
Nick Preston
Head of Quality and Education, Educationwise Academy
Implementing Cognassist has been a game-changer for us; we can now better support each individual thanks to a deeper insight into learning and development needs. We can also make vital adjustments and adapt assessments appropriately to help everyone complete their training on time.
Paul Blackhurst
Head of Rentokil’s UK Technical Academy, Rentokil
Yes. Cognassist aligns with ESFA funding rules and Ofsted’s focus on personalised learning, inclusive support, and progression outcomes. It helps providers demonstrate how they identify and support learners with additional needs, all backed by data.
No. Cognassist is designed to seamlessly integrate into your existing processes. Tutors receive clear, practical guidance based on each learner’s results, saving time and helping them support learners more effectively without additional admin.
Cognassist identifies how each learner thinks and learns through a quick digital cognitive assessment. This insight allows tutors to provide personalised support and strategies from day one, helping learners feel understood, engaged, and more likely to complete their program.
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