Overview
NIS Group is a leading training and employability provider dedicated to helping individuals gain the skills, qualifications, and confidence needed to secure sustainable employment. Working closely with employers across the rail, construction, transport, and infrastructure sectors, NIS delivers industry-focused training programmes that address skills shortages while creating meaningful career opportunities.
NIS supports learners from initial training through to employment, helping hundreds of people each year progress into rewarding careers, and is now looking for a Doncaster (South Yorkshire-based) Learner Employability and Engagement Officer. The postholder plays a pivotal role in identifying, recruiting, engaging, and supporting learners from diverse backgrounds into training and employment opportunities. Working across local communities, the postholder will build and maintain strong relationships with referral partners, community organisations, local authorities, Jobcentre Plus, housing providers, charities, and other third-sector organisations to create sustainable learner pipelines.
The role is focused on increasing participation from underrepresented groups, supporting learners to overcome barriers to employment, and ensuring successful progression into training, apprenticeships, and sustainable employment outcomes. The successful candidate will possess strong local knowledge, excellent stakeholder engagement skills, and a passion for creating positive social impact within the communities they serve.
Working closely with employers, community partners, and internal delivery teams, the Learner Employability and Engagement Officer will act as a key ambassador for the organisation, promoting opportunities, generating referrals, and supporting learners throughout their journey from recruitment through to progression.
Key Responsibilities
Learner Recruitment and Community Engagement
- Develop and maintain strong referral networks with community organisations, charities, local authorities, housing associations, Jobcentre Plus, youth services, support agencies, and other third-sector partners.
- Proactively identify and engage potential learners through outreach activities, community events, information sessions, and partnership initiatives.
- Promote training, employability, and employment opportunities within local communities, ensuring programmes reach those who can benefit most.
- Build trust and positive relationships with individuals who may face barriers to education, training, or employment.
- Manage learner enquiries, support initial CEIAG practices, and support individuals through the enrolment process.
- Maintain a consistent pipeline of learner referrals and recruitment activity to meet programme and contractual targets.
- Represent the organisation at community forums, stakeholder meetings, careers events, and local partnership groups.
Employability and Learner Progression
- Support learners to develop the confidence, skills, and behaviours required to secure and sustain employment.
- Deliver employability support including CV development, job search techniques, interview preparation, application support, and career planning.
- Work closely with employers to identify suitable vacancies, work experience placements, sector-based work academy opportunities, and progression routes.
- Provide tailored support to learners facing personal, social, or employment-related barriers.
- Track learner progression and provide ongoing support to maximise achievement, retention, and positive employment outcomes.
- Support learners into employment, apprenticeships, further training, or other positive destinations and maintain progression records.
Stakeholder and Employer Engagement
- Develop effective partnerships with local employers, referral agencies, community groups, education providers, and strategic stakeholders.
- Act as the key point of contact for referral partners and community stakeholders, ensuring strong communication and collaborative working relationships.
- Identify new partnership opportunities that increase learner participation and employment outcomes.
- Work collaboratively with employers to understand recruitment needs and match suitable learners to vacancies and progression opportunities.
- Contribute to local employability initiatives and participate in partnership networks that support skills development and economic growth.
- Promote the organisation's services and demonstrate the positive impact of programmes across local communities.
Data, Compliance and Performance
- Maintain accurate records of learner recruitment, engagement, progression, and stakeholder activity.
- Monitor referral volumes, learner engagement, attendance, and employment outcomes against agreed targets.
- Produce reports and updates on recruitment activity, partnership development, and learner progression.
- Ensure all activities comply with safeguarding, Prevent, GDPR, equality, diversity, and health and safety requirements.
- Contribute to quality improvement processes and funding compliance requirements in respect of the learner enrolment aspect.
Person Specification
Essential Experience
- Experience recruiting, engaging, or supporting learners, jobseekers, or disadvantaged groups into education, training, or employment opportunities.
- Experience building and managing relationships with community organisations, referral agencies, employers, and external stakeholders.
- Experience working within employability, skills, training, education, welfare-to-work, or community engagement environments.
- Experience supporting individuals facing barriers to employment and progression.
- Proven ability to achieve recruitment, engagement, or progression targets.
Essential Knowledge
- Strong understanding of local communities, employment opportunities, and referral networks.
- Knowledge of the local labour market and barriers affecting individuals seeking employment or training.
- Understanding of employability support, learner engagement, and progression pathways.
- Knowledge of safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion principles.
- Understanding and/or experience of working within the construction/rail industries would be advantageous but not essential.
Essential Skills
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
- Strong networking and partnership development abilities.
- Ability to influence, motivate, and engage individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to work independently and proactively within community settings.
- Strong organisational and case management skills.
- Ability to identify opportunities and develop local solutions that create positive outcomes for learners and employers.
Success Measures
The successful postholder will contribute to:
- Increased learner recruitment through community and third-sector referral pathways.
- Strong and sustainable stakeholder partnerships across the local area.
- Increased learner participation, retention, and achievement.
- Improved progression into employment, apprenticeships, and further learning.
- Increased employer engagement and job outcomes.
- Positive social impact within local communities and priority groups.
- Delivery of contractual learner recruitment and progression targets.
This role is ideal for a highly motivated community-focused professional who is passionate about helping individuals transform their lives through training and employment. The successful candidate will have strong local knowledge, excellent stakeholder engagement skills, and a proven ability to connect people with opportunities that create lasting positive change.
Pay: £34,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
