Oaklands Education Group, a long‑established and diverse learning community, is recruiting an Apprenticeship Trainer & Skills Coach in Teaching and Specialist Education to support its expanding professional training offer launched in 2024. The role focuses on delivering high‑quality training, coaching, and assessment to apprentices, ensuring they develop the skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed for success and timely completion of their qualifications.
The postholder will manage the full apprenticeship journey, carrying out workplace visits, progress reviews, assessments, and target‑setting. They will work closely with employers to create compliant training plans aligned with apprenticeship standards, support effective workplace development, and provide regular progress updates.
The ideal candidate will have strong communication and interpersonal skills, excellent organisation, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Experience delivering training or coaching in an apprenticeship or educational setting is essential, along with a commitment to high‑quality learner and employer support.
KEY RESPONSIBILITES
Training and Coaching
- Own the end-to-end apprenticeship/foundation apprenticeship journey, having a meaningful impact on apprentices’ lives
- Deliver high-quality, industry-specific training and coaching to apprentices/foundation apprentices (apprentices) through various methods, including face-to-face, online, and in the workplace.
- Develop and deliver engaging learning sessions, workshops, and group activities to support apprentices’ development.
- Conduct regular progress reviews with apprentices and their employers to monitor progress, set targets, and ensure timely completion of apprenticeship standards.
- Embed key themes (M&E, ED&I etc.) into all taught sessions.
- Uses apprentices/students individual starting points to plan tailored learning which allows individuals to achieve the highest grades possible.
Assessment and Feedback
- Assess apprentices' work and performance against the required standards, providing constructive feedback and action plans for improvement.
- Ensure the quality and integrity of assessment records, maintaining accurate and up-to-date documentation in the college’s e-portfolio system.
- Prepare apprentices for assessments, ensuring they are fully aware of the requirements and standards.
Employer Engagement
- Agree a training plan with the apprentices and employer using the apprenticeship standards and ensure its compliance with funding rules.
- Liaise with employers to ensure effective workplace training and development, providing regular updates on apprentice progress.
- Support employers in understanding their role in the apprenticeship program and help them create supportive learning environments.
- Work collaboratively with the college’s business development team to foster strong employer relationships and promote apprenticeship programs.
Learner Support
- Provide pastoral and academic support to apprentices, addressing any barriers to learning and progression.
- Develop and implement individual learning plans tailored to apprentices’ needs and goals.
- Ensure apprentices receive appropriate information, advice, and guidance on their career development and progression opportunities.
Quality Assurance and Compliance
- Provide regular and purposeful reports to employers, apprentices, and the College so that there is a clear plan of action which is time bound for each apprentice, and which allows completion with agreed target dates, including preparation for Assessment
- Adhere to the college’s quality assurance processes, ensuring all training and assessment activities meet internal and external standards.
- Ensure compliance with DfE funding rules and other regulatory requirements.
- Ensure the quality of the apprenticeship programme is maintained to a high standard meeting the awarding organisation, Ofsted, DfE, Apprentice Assessment Organisation and College requirements
- Participate in internal and external audits and quality inspections, including Ofsted.
Professional Development
- Maintain and update personal knowledge and skills through continuous professional development (CPD) activities.
- Participate in staff development programs and training sessions as required.
- Assist with the marketing and promotion of Oaklands Training & Development.
Senior Trainer and Skills Coach
- Internal and External Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact with the external verifiers to ensure consistent assessment standards and collaborate effectively during external audits.
- Inspection Preparation: Prepare, collect, and organise documentation and evidence required for both internal and external audits, ensuring compliance and readiness for inspections.
- Internal Quality Assurance (IQA): Oversee the internal quality assurance processes for assigned learners, ensuring compliance with awarding body guidelines.
- Maintain and enhance quality assurance systems to support continuous improvement.
- Trainer Support: Provide guidance and support to assessors, fostering best practices in IQA procedures. Lead regular training sessions and quality reviews to maintain high standards across the team.
As a list of general duties, the above is not exhaustive. The work of the College is expected to develop, and the holder of the post will be required to work flexibly with colleagues to facilitate this development.
Be aware of and follow College policies and procedures, with particular attention to health and safety, safeguarding, risk management, equality and diversity, quality and our values and behaviours. You will be required to attend training as necessary and update own CPD record.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Excellent organisational and time management abilities.
- High level of personal integrity and professionalism.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Passionate about supporting learners and fostering their development.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE;
- Proven experience in delivering training and coaching within an apprenticeship or educational setting and specific sector requirements.
- Relevant teaching and/or assessor qualifications (e.g., PTLLS, A1 Assessor Award, TAQA) are desirable
- Relevant IQA qualifications or a willingness to work towards are desirable
- Knowledge of apprenticeship standards and frameworks, including assessment and end-point assessment requirements.
- Experience in working with employers to support workplace learning and development.
- Strong IT skills, including proficiency in using e-portfolio systems and Microsoft Office applications.
- A relevant vocational qualification or industry experience in the subject area being delivered.
Your Future Starts at Oaklands
At Oaklands College, we value our staff and are committed to your wellbeing and development. When you join us, you become part of a vibrant and forward-thinking team that supports innovation, creativity, and learner-centred teaching.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
Generous holiday allowance – 30 days plus bank holidays.
Local Government Pension Scheme with excellent employer contributions.
Ongoing CPD and free access to Adult Community Learning courses.
Free onsite permit parking.
Onsite gym at St Albans Campus and wellness treatments at discounted rates.
Cycle to Work Scheme and discounted travel through UNO Bus Scheme.
Eye care vouchers and employee assistance programme.
Mental health and wellbeing support, including peer supporters.
Staff development days and annual awards celebrating your achievements.
Oaklands College is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and we actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and stakeholders to share this commitment.
We review applications on a rolling basis and may close this advert early if we receive high interest. Don’t miss your opportunity to join a college that’s shaping futures and transforming lives.
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