For Employers.
Fully funded skills development for your staff. You support them through three light-touch steps, Maikai handles everything else.
What your organisation gains.
Fully funded skills development designed around the priorities of the Sported network, built to strengthen your organisation from the inside out.
Build the in-demand skills your network needs
Every programme on the Academy was requested by the Sported network. AI, fundraising, youth work — the skills your peers told us would unlock the most impact.
Strengthen your capacity and delivery
Better-trained staff means better-run programmes, more funding secured, and stronger services for the young people and communities you support.
Retain and motivate your people
Funded skills development is one of the most powerful ways to keep good people. Show them a future with you, at no cost to your organisation.
From nomination to enrolled in three steps.
Once your team member submits their EOI, here's everything you need to do. That's it.
Support your learner's onboarding pack
Your team member completes three short tasks. You just need to give them time and a quick sign-off where needed.
- Personal information form
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Onboarding interview
Sign the Apprenticeship Agreement
A standard one-page agreement between you, the learner, and the training provider. We send it pre-filled, you just review and sign.
- Sent digitally, sign in minutes
- No legal review needed (standard ESFA template)
- Maikai handles all the paperwork around it
Share your DAS code with Maikai
Your Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account is how government-funded training gets approved. New to DAS? It takes about 20 minutes to set up, we've got a video walkthrough below.
- Send us your DAS account code
- We handle the levy match and training provider setup inside DAS
- You won't need to log in again unless you want to
New to DAS? Watch this first.
The Digital Apprenticeship Service is the government portal that approves your apprentice's funding. Setup is straightforward, this short walkthrough shows you exactly how. Already have a DAS account? Send your code to info@maikai.org.
What are OTJ hours?
Despite the name, off-the-job training doesn't mean time away from work. It takes place within your team member's contracted working hours, and it counts any time they're actively practising and applying the new skills they're learning on their programme. That means shadowing a colleague, using a new tool in a real project, or sitting in on a relevant meeting — it all counts. Six hours a week. Entirely within their working day.
What your team member's learning journey looks like.
Five stages. Your involvement is minimal at every one.
A short induction. No action needed from you, just give them the time.
Live sessions and self-paced modules. Release them for ~6 hours of off-the-job learning per week.
They put their learning into practice in their day job. No extra work for you, just real outputs for your organisation.
End-point assessment is handled by an independent assessor. Maikai coordinates the whole thing.
Your team member walks away with a qualification they can use anywhere. No cost to you. No admin. Real difference.
Does your organisation qualify?
If you can tick most of these, you're good to go.
You're a Sported network organisation or affiliated grassroots community sports group in the UK.
The learner is employed by you (PAYE) on a contract of sufficient hours.
You can release the learner for at least 6 hours per week of off-the-job learning.
You can provide a line manager or senior contact to support the learner.
The role gives the learner real opportunities to apply what they're learning.
100% funded. No catch.
Every programme is fully funded through the Growth and Skills Levy. Maikai partners with large corporates who gift their unused levy funds to grassroots sport, covering the full cost of training. Your organisation pays nothing.
Ready to take the next step?
Two intakes a year, July and October 2026. Fully funded, first-come, first-served.
Apply Now