Apprenticeship Manager

We are looking for an Apprenticeships Manager to join our Harris Federation central team.

Harris Federation offers apprenticeship programmes as a main provider and employer provider and we have ambition to grow. The Apprenticeship Manager will be responsible for overseeing the apprenticeship strategy delivery and acting as a central expert on all aspects of apprenticeships. A new role, the postholder will work across different programme leads to ensure that quality standards and targets are met through effective programme design, recruitment, retention and timely achievement. The Apprenticeship Manager will keep abreast of future developments in apprenticeship policy and funding arrangements to identify opportunities and impact for the Federation.

The position will be responsible for the operation of a broad and diverse apprenticeship programme, including Leadership, Teaching and Non-Teaching programmes. You will lead on operational and compliance aspects of our apprenticeship programmes, ensuring a high quality and consistent experience and that funding requirements are met. You will work closely with Central Team departments and our Academy network to track learner progress and that our apprenticeship delivery is in line with contractual and internal objectives.

Working with programme leads, the successful candidate will champion the development, delivery and ongoing management of our apprenticeship programmes as a main provider and employer provider across the Federation. The successful candidate will have a strong focus on quality and have good knowledge of e-learning platforms.

This role will be based at the Harris Federation head office, five minutes' walk from East Croydon station, with the potential to work from home up to two days per week.

About Us

The Harris Federation is a leading education charity with 52 Harris primary and secondary academies across London and Essex. The founder, Chairman and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We now educate almost 40,000 young people and closing the gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers has always been a core mission.

The Harris Federation has a track record of accomplishment in achieving success through rapid school improvement and has built an unrivalled reputation for running outstanding academies in London.

Our central team comprises a dedicated, driven group of departments working centrally to provide support across the Federation and all of our academies. Across a multitude of key departments, we maintain an outstanding body of staff all integral to supporting central and academy finance, HR, Data, Estates management, Talent and many more.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Responsibilities will include:

• Working collaboratively with Harris leaders, provide oversight of operational management and quality for the successful delivery of apprenticeship training programmes to ensure planning targets and strategic objectives are met
• Liaise with departments involved in apprenticeship programmes to ensure apprentices are effectively recruited, enrolled and inducted.
• Oversee the quality assurance system and implementation and completion of the learner journey – including ensuring that programmes are compliant in line with funding rules, progress is tracked, work-based assessment and monitoring takes place, key skills/functional skills are integrated into programmes.
• Ensure effective records are maintained including tracking of assessment and review progress, monitoring apprenticeship completions and the ensure readiness for inspection and audit.
• Manage the apprenticeship contracts, other work placed learning and external apprenticeship contracts, including communicating with SFA & NAS, and auditors. This will also include keeping abreast of changes to standards, contracts and funding changes and updating key stakeholders.
• Producing regular reports for Directors / Key Stakeholders on funding and quality performance across the organisation.

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate must have:

• Good knowledge and practical experience of effectively planning and managing apprenticeship programmes across subject areas and at scale
• The ability to establish a new role in the Harris Federation and work collaboratively with key stakeholders to deliver successful apprenticeship programmes
• Good knowledge of the requirements of apprenticeship programmes both in terms of quality assurance and funding body requirements
• Strong project management skills with experience of complex projects with multiple stakeholders
• Good knowledge of the future developments in apprenticeship policy and funding
• Experience of working across a large organisation, developing and delivering initiatives and maintaining stakeholder relationships
• Understanding the needs of apprentices and experience of improving apprentice outcomes
• Experience of liaising with End Point Assessor Organisations
• Experience of curriculum planning and funding
• Experience of submitting apprenticeship ILR data returns
• Excellent knowledge of Ofsted and Funding rules and criteria
• Experience of providing excellent customer service and maintaining effective working relationships with customers/employers
• Experience of delivering quality improvement
• Hold a recognised assessor qualification
• Experience of Ofsted inspections
• The ability to travel to Federation Academies as required

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level to senior leadership.

We look for talented individuals who share our vision for creating exceptional places of learning, and are committed to ensuring that every child in London has access to the best possible education.

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Local Government Pension Scheme for non-teaching staff, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. We offer flexible working in the form of "Core Hours" and potential for hybrid working.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.