Tag: Blog

In September 2023, Knovia Group acquired Tempdent, a specialist dental apprenticeship provider with an established reputation and deep sector expertise. Since joining Knovia, Tempdent has undergone a period of disciplined transformation that has resulted in doubling learner occupancy, strengthening learner outcomes and building the operational foundation required for sustained, responsible growth. 

This progress has been the result of deliberate investment, targeted improvement and a clear philosophy: respect what works, invest in what matters, and build scalable infrastructure that unlocks both quality and impact. A renewed focus on leadership capability, customer experience and team culture has been central to Tempdent’s success and continues to shape its next phase of growth. The Tempdent journey demonstrates what can be achieved when sector expertise is combined with group-level best practice and a culture of continuous improvement. 

Building a robust end-to-end delivery infrastructure 

One of the earliest priorities following acquisition was to redesign Tempdent’s end-to-end operational backbone so that every stage of the learner journey was predictable, compliant and insight led. This was not simply a digitisation programme; it was a reengineering of processes to strengthen funding assurance; reduce variability and provide tutors and assessors with the tools they need to support learners effectively from enrolment through to EPA. 

Onboarding processes were enhanced to provide a much clearer understanding of each learner’s starting point. Structured skills scans and 4D initial assessments now inform personalised learning plans from the outset, ensuring learners receive the right support from day one. Early identification of English, maths and additional learning needs has improved confidence and strengthened achievement rates. 

Compliance workflows were redesigned to reduce administrative burden while improving audit readiness. Evidence capture is now closely aligned to delivery plans and competency requirements, supporting both quality and funding integrity. 

These operational improvements are underpinned by Knovia’s groupwide business intelligence environment, giving managers, tutors and quality teams real-time visibility of learner progress, interventions and performance trends. This insight capability has allowed Tempdent to scale confidently while maintaining high standards of delivery. 

Evolving the delivery model to improve outcomes 

Alongside infrastructure improvements, Knovia invested in evolving Tempdent’s delivery model to ensure it is consistent, engaging and demonstrably effective. The enhanced model blends digital learning, interactive workshops, structured progression activities and one-to-one consolidation sessions, creating a varied experience that supports different learning styles. 

The digital learning resources are intentionally designed for repeat engagement, allowing learners to revisit key topics throughout their programme and strengthen long-term knowledge retention. In particular, lab simulations allow learners to practice critical skills in a safe environment increasing their opportunities to practice a range of clinical and patient scenarios building their confidence before practicing in the workplace. 

Performance data and stakeholder feedback have shaped continuous refinements to the model. Structured teaching has been introduced for more challenging topics, clearer guidance has been developed for evidencing off-the-job learning, and dedicated revision modules have strengthened exam readiness. Additional focus has also been brought to complex technical areas, and several assessment tasks have been simplified without compromising rigour. 

The continuation and enhancement of Tempdent’s Foundation Induction Programme has remained a core strength, equipping learners — particularly those entering the sector for the first time — with the knowledge, behaviours and habits needed for a successful apprenticeship and career. 

Together, these changes have contributed to improved engagement, more confident progression and stronger learner achievement. 

Improving attendance, engagement and resource planning 

Recognising the importance of attendance and engagement in driving positive outcomes, Tempdent introduced a redesigned booking and scheduling system tailored specifically to the apprenticeship journey. Learners can now select and manage their sessions with far greater flexibility, which has contributed to a 10–15 percentage point increase in attendance in recent months. 

Improved planning tools provide teams with clearer insight into capacity and resource requirements, enabling better scheduling and utilisation. Structured follow-up processes ensure nonattendance is addressed promptly and with consideration for safeguarding. Further investment in BI dashboards continues to refine understanding of the factors influencing attendance and engagement. 

Strengthening employer engagement and commercial infrastructure 

A major area of investment post-acquisition was the creation of a structured, integrated approach to employer engagement and onboarding. 

Employer data management has been significantly strengthened, providing clearer visibility of organisational structures, key contacts and learner relationships. Onboarding processes are now more streamlined, repeatable and user-friendly, ensuring compliance checks are completed thoroughly before learners begin their programme. 

All employer documentation including contractual agreements, funding information and health and safety records is centrally managed, creating a single, reliable source of truth. This has improved governance, reduced risk and strengthened the professionalism of employer interactions. 

Learner onboarding has also been enhanced through automated communications and clearer milestone management. From booking enrolment sessions to confirming readiness for day one in learning, the journey is now structured and transparent. This has reduced early withdrawals and improved preparedness. 

Customer service and feedback mechanisms have been embedded into the operational model. Learner and employer surveys are systematically captured and analysed, enabling early identification of emerging issues and trend monitoring over time. Structured case management processes ensure enquiries are handled consistently and within defined service levels. 

The cumulative effect of these changes has been stronger employer partnerships, improved learner experience and more consistent operational performance. 

 Investment in CRM and sales capability to drive sustainable growth 

 Once Tempdent’s delivery backbone was stabilised and strengthened, Knovia invested in expanding the sales function and modernising CRM capability. A fully integrated CRM now provides full visibility of employer relationships, pipeline stages and conversion performance. Sales processes have been redesigned to be more structured, insight led and aligned to delivery capacity. 

These changes have resulted in significant growth in the sales pipeline, improved forecasting and more effective employer engagement, ensuring Tempdent can grow in a way that is both ambitious and sustainable with new and existing employers. 

Investing in leadership, people and culture 

A central enabler of Tempdent’s transformation has been deliberate investment in leadership, team capability and organisational culture. 

Knovia has invested in key leadership roles across delivery, compliance, quality, commercial operations and customer experience. These roles have ensured that Tempdent is not only ready to grow, but equipped to grow well, with clarity, accountability and strategic focus. 

Customer experience has been established as the guiding principle for every process, decision and improvement. This focus ensures alignment across teams and reinforces a shared commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality interactions for learners and employers. It has become the anchor for operational design and prioritisation. 

Tempdent’s success is built on people who are passionate about dentistry, learner success and meaningful employer partnerships. Knovia has reinforced this by investing in professional development, strengthening team structures, clarifying progression opportunities and creating an environment where people feel supported and valued. 

Perhaps most importantly, Tempdent has continued to operate as “One Tempdent” Team. This unified culture has enabled collaborative problem solving, rapid innovation and a shared commitment to improving the customer experience. The “One Tempdent” ethos has been instrumental in ensuring the organisation grows together –  aligned, motivated and focused on outcomes. 

The impact 

Through disciplined investment, structured transformation and a strong cultural foundation, Tempdent has: 

• Doubled learner occupancy 
• Improved learner achievement and confidence 
• Increased attendance by 10–15 percentage points 
• Strengthened funding assurance and compliance controls 
• Enhanced employer satisfaction and visibility 
• Expanded the sales pipeline significantly 
• Built scalable systems and leadership capability for future growth 
• Created a unified culture centred on customer experience and impact 

 Quality has not been sacrificed for scale; instead, both have progressed together, demonstrating what is possible when operational discipline, clarity of purpose and people investment align. 

 Quote from Lorraine Nadel, CEO of Tempdent 

Knovia believed in us from the very beginning, who we are, what we stand for, and the identity our learners, employers and colleagues trust. That faith, paired with their expertise, has given us the confidence and capability to grow without losing what makes Tempdent special. Together, we’ve unlocked a level of impact I’m incredibly proud of.

The Knovia advantage for future partners 

Tempdent’s journey is a clear example of how Knovia partners with mission driven providers seeking to grow their impact. 

 Our approach is grounded in: 

•  Respecting and retaining the strengths of the organisations we work with 
• Investing strategically in the areas that matter most 
• Embedding scalable infrastructure and data driven decision making 
• Developing strong leadership and empowering passionate teams 
• Aligning growth with meaningful, measurable learner success 

For operators, founders or investors exploring partnership or acquisition opportunities, Knovia offers more than capital. We provide capability, clarity and a proven blueprint for sustainable growth. 

If you are considering the next phase of your organisation’s journey, we would welcome a conversation about how Knovia can support your ambition. 

Written by Jen March, Head of Portfolio and Product at Knovia Group

In the world of apprenticeships, the go-to method of assessment is criterion-referenced; a type of assessment that measures a learner’s performance against a predetermined set of criteria, i.e. the standard.  While this approach offers valuable insights, it’s worth exploring the potential benefits of other assessment types, such as norm-referencing.

The Motivational Magic of Norm-Referenced Assessments

Norm-referenced assessments compare a learner’s performance to their peers. This competitive element can ignite a powerful motivational spark. Imagine the thrill of discovering you’re top of your class! It’s a feeling that can drive learners to work harder and strive for excellence.

Beyond competition, norm-referenced assessments can help learners set ambitious goals. If your peers are achieving a certain standard, why not aim higher? These goals provide a clear direction and purpose, keeping learners focused and committed.

The Highs and Lows of Norm-Referenced Assessments

In today’s digital age, social media platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook have become virtual stages for individuals to showcase their achievements. The desire to share successes and receive recognition has never been stronger. Whether it’s a new job, a completed project, or a personal milestone, many people feel compelled to share their accomplishments with their online networks.

While the competitive aspect of norm-referenced assessments can be motivating, it’s not without its drawbacks. For learners who consistently fall short of the norm, the experience can be disheartening. This can lead to discouragement and a decline in motivation.

With this in mind, it is clear that norm-referencing can be an incredibly motivating approach for high achievers, propelling them further and negating the risk of coasting or doing ‘just enough’. However, the impact on low achievers can be detrimental, causing them to lose motivation and damaging their self-perception. The challenge for us as educators is to consider how we can approach this holistically, using a combination of assessment types according to what will work best for the learner we see in front of us.

Personalisation shouldn’t stop at learning; it’s time to rethink how we assess.

Knovia Group Unveils Impact Reports for Paragon Skills and Tempdent: A Milestone in Shaping the Future of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development

At Knovia, we believe in transforming lives through education and skill development. As the parent company of Paragon Skills and Tempdent, two leading organisations in the apprenticeship and workforce training sectors, we are thrilled to announce the release of our much-anticipated 2024 Impact Reports for both entities.

These reports highlight the immense strides we’ve made in empowering learners, fostering talent, and driving change across the healthcare, dental, and broader industries. By shedding light on the success stories and key metrics from the past year, these documents underline our commitment to excellence, innovation, and social impact.

The Impact of Paragon Skills

As one of the UK’s top apprenticeship training providers, Paragon Skills has always placed quality learning at the forefront of its mission. The Paragon Skills Impact Report offers an in-depth look at the organisation’s efforts in reshaping vocational training and contributing to both employer and apprentice success stories.

Some key highlights from the report include:

• Over 90% apprenticeship completion rate, one of the highest in the country.
• Partnered with over 3,000 employers, helping them develop a highly skilled workforce.
• A significant focus on inclusivity, with tailored programs to support individuals from underrepresented communities.

These results reinforce Paragon Skills’ role in not only meeting but exceeding the demands of the modern workforce. With its learner-centred approach, the organisation is consistently shaping the careers of future leaders across a variety of sectors, from healthcare to engineering.

Tempdent: Empowering Dental Apprenticeships

Tempdent, specialising in dental nursing and dental practice support staff training, also continues to lead the charge in professional development within the dental sector. The Tempdent Impact Report details the organisation’s mission to upskill the next generation of dental professionals and respond to the evolving needs of the dental industry.

Key achievements over the past year include:

• Placement of over 1,000 dental apprentices, ensuring dental practices nationwide have access to competent, well-trained professionals.
• Continuous focus on advanced qualifications, giving apprentices opportunities to specialise and enhance their careers.
• Ongoing commitment to closing skills gaps, addressing shortages in qualified dental staff and raising standards of care.

These achievements reflect Tempdent’s unwavering dedication to not only training the best but also raising the overall standard of care in the dental industry.

Looking Ahead: A Unified Vision for Sustainable Growth

Both impact reports capture more than just the numbers—they tell the story of real progress and transformation. Through our combined efforts at Knovia Group, Paragon Skills, and Tempdent, we are paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future in education and workforce development.

We invite you to explore these reports to see how we are making a difference in people’s lives, one apprenticeship at a time. By investing in learners today, we are building a skilled, resilient workforce for tomorrow.

Download and read the full Paragon Skills and Tempdent Impact Reports

Together, we’re shaping futures, building careers, and making an impact.