Kaplan is one of the UK's leading professional training providers, with over 20 years of apprenticeship experience and a strong reputation for developing talent across accountancy, financial services, data and technology.
Kaplan trains over 10,000 apprentices each year through qualified, expert tutors with real-world industry experience.
The International Compliance Association (ICA) is the globally recognised professional body for regulatory and financial crime compliance.
Together, Kaplan and ICA have built a genuinely collaborative partnership, delivering two industry-leading apprenticeship programmes designed to develop compliance expertise at every stage of a professional's career, from entry-level officer through to senior specialist.
The apprenticeship programmes
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Compliance and Risk Officer ICA Apprenticeship — Level 3 |
Senior Compliance and Risk Specialist ICA Apprenticeship — Level 6 |
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Equips learners with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for robust compliance management and effective risk mitigation within their organisation. |
Develops the capability to provide high-quality input and advice to the business, tackle complex regulatory problems, implement new legal requirements and engage effectively with senior management. |
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Apprentices work towards one of three mandatory ICA qualifications: |
Apprentices work towards the ICA Diploma in Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), an internationally recognised qualification that marks a significant step in professional development. ICA Diplomas in Anti Money Laundering (AML), Financial Crime Prevention (FCP) and Managing Sanctions Risk are also offered. |
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Runs over: |
15 months |
36 months |
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Apprenticeship Levy Funding: |
£11,000 |
£23,000 |
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Learners: |
Over 300 have completed to date. |
Over 300 have embarked on this programme to date. |
A structured pathway to professional excellence
Together, these two programmes create a clear and structured career pathway, from entry-level compliance officer through to senior specialist, underpinned by ICA's respected qualifications in AML, Governance, Risk and Compliance and Financial Crime Prevention.
Upon successful completion, apprentices can apply for Professional Membership of the ICA, a credential widely regarded as essential for meaningful career progression in the compliance sector.
Employer case study: Utility Warehouse
Utility Warehouse is currently running both the Level 3 and Level 6 apprenticeship programmes, and the impact on the organisation has been tangible. The practical, real-world focus of the curriculum gives apprentices an up-to-date awareness of GRC. They gain the ability to share best practice methods and contribute meaningfully to their organisation from day one.
At Utility Warehouse, the apprentices can support the formation or shape the build of new internal policies due to the huge practical element of the course syllabus.
'Through the Level 6 GRC apprenticeship, I've developed the confidence and skills to apply best practice and support the business from a governance perspective. ‘It has definitely supported me in working with the launch of a new risk framework that is going to futureproof the business. I use structures that I have picked up throughout the project, ensuring that risk assessment and regulatory links are the centre of the decision-making especially for the overall project objective.'
L6SCRS apprentice at Utility Warehouse
A truly symbiotic partnership
What sets the Kaplan and ICA partnership apart is the depth and quality of collaboration that extends well beyond course delivery.
Key elements of this partnership include:
Curriculum input and quality assurance
ICA actively supports Kaplan with syllabus changes to both the Level 3 and Level 6 programmes, ensuring course content remains aligned with the latest regulatory developments and industry expectations. Assignments are designed to be as close to real-life examples as possible, ensuring learners can immediately apply their knowledge in the workplace.
Regulatory intelligence
Kaplan makes active use of ICA's Regulation Alerts tool, which provides timely, relevant updates on regulatory changes. This ensures tutors and learners are always working with current, accurate information.
Expert engagement with learners
Paul O'Hara, UK Client Relationship Manager at ICA, participates directly in apprentice introductory virtual welcome meetings, providing specialist insight into what risk management means in practice, the importance of AML and the wider compliance landscape. This direct engagement from ICA helps contextualise learning from the very start of the programme.
Professional skills development
The training syllabus extends beyond technical compliance knowledge to include professional development skills such as Excel and Microsoft applications. This broader skills development futureproofs learners with a wider range of professional capabilities while also equipping them with the practical tools they need to complete the tasks set out in their apprenticeship pathway.
CPD recognition
All courses delivered under the partnership are CPD qualified, ensuring that the learning undertaken by apprentices is formally recognised as part of their ongoing professional development.
Sector events and collaboration
ICA attended the Kaplan Partnership Event in December 2025, further cementing the relationship and providing an opportunity to align on shared goals for the year ahead.
Funding through the Apprenticeship Levy
Both programmes are funded through the UK government's Apprenticeship Levy, a mechanism introduced to help employers invest in workforce training and development.
Key features of the Levy include:
- applies to businesses with a payroll over £3 million
- funds must be used specifically for apprenticeship training.
For organisations already contributing to the Levy, these programmes represent an outstanding opportunity to direct existing funds towards building a highly skilled, professionally accredited compliance function.
Conclusion
The Kaplan–ICA partnership sets the standard for how training providers and professional bodies can combine to deliver education that genuinely transforms careers and strengthens organisations.
To find out more about either programme, visit the links below: