This case study explores a consortium of companies who specialise in work based learning. In particular it charts the development of vocational trainers and assessors across the organisation as they begin to build a powerful, professional role in preparing their learners for improvement and achievement in English and maths. The study will be of particular interest to private training providers and those involved with work based learning who are strongly reliant on employers, trainers and assessors to deliver functional skills and to raise learner levels in English and maths.