Progress, not pressure.
Putting the apprentice journey first, every time
Apprentice journey
Putting the apprentice journey first, every time
progress minded exists to make apprenticeship assessment fair, clear, and genuinely supportive. We believe assessment should feel like a natural next step, not a high-pressure hurdle. Our approach focuses on clarity, confidence, and collaboration, helping apprentices, employers, and training providers move through assessment with calm assurance and no surprises.
Everything we do is designed to remove unnecessary complexity and last-minute stress, replacing it with clear expectations, realistic timelines, and human conversations.
Progress, not pressure.
Progress Minded
About progress minded
progress minded is an Ofqual-recognised apprenticeship assessment organisation specialising in digital, data, marketing, and careers and business standards. Our approach is built on one simple belief: apprentices perform best when they feel understood, prepared, and supported.
Founded in 2018 and part of The JGA Group, we draw on over 30 years of combined national experience across apprenticeships, training delivery, and assessment. That experience shapes not only how we design assessment, but how we communicate with learners, providers, and employers throughout the journey.
Our assessments are structured, but never rigid. They reflect real job roles, real workplaces, and real people. Rather than prescribing specific tools, models, or theories, we take a vendor-neutral and theory-neutral approach that allows apprentices to demonstrate competence in ways that reflect their real role, workplace, and professional practice.
We work closely with training providers and employers while maintaining full independence and impartiality. The result is an assessment experience that feels calm, fair, and well-managed, helping apprentices complete with confidence.
Positivity
We focus on progress and possibility, helping apprentices feel confident about what comes next.
Empathy
We recognise assessment can feel daunting. We listen first, understand individual contexts, and respond with care and professionalism.
Adaptability
No two apprentices or organisations are the same. We flex our approach to suit different roles, sectors, and ways of working without compromising standards.
Transparency
Clear communication underpins everything we do, from pricing and processes to decisions and outcomes.
Our story - our history
Supporting the very best apprentices and employers
We are proud of the progress we have made alongside our partners.
The people who make it happen
Cherie Heaven
Managing Director
Owen Twidale
Head of Quality
Catherine Jones
Operations Manager
Laura Thurlow
Business Development Manager
Andy Hawkett
MECT Contract Manager
how the progress minded team works
Customer testimonials
Real feedback from apprentices, employers and training providers.
We've worked with great companies
News and insights from progress minded
Stay up to date with insights from our team on apprenticeship assessment, sector developments, and policy updates through our blog.
Then, now and next
When we started progress minded we didn’t even have a name, but we did have a vision – to provide high quality, niche end point assessment with a human touch, at competitive prices.
The rebirth of IT Solutions Technician
The IT Solutions Technician standard is necessary but has traditionally been underused. Version 1.0 was complex for employers, apprentices, training providers, and end-point assessment organisations alike.