At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and mentor apprentices, helping them overcome challenges and achieve their potential.
- Company: Join the outstanding EKC Group, dedicated to student success and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, professional development, exclusive discounts, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while growing your own skills.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for supporting young people.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 25000 € per year.
Support. Inspire. Empower. Become an Apprenticeship Progression Mentor and help shape brighter futures. As an Apprenticeship Progression Mentor at EKC Training, you’ll be at the heart of apprentice support—guiding learners through challenges and helping them grow into confident, independent individuals.
In this rewarding role, you will:
- Provide one-to-one mentoring to support apprentices’ personal and academic development
- Work closely with disaffected or disengaged young people to re-engage them in their learning
- Help students overcome barriers, build resilience, and realise their full potential
Why join EKC Group?
- Make a lasting difference in students’ lives
- Gain valuable qualifications including:
- Mental Health First Aid
- Autism Awareness
- Counselling Concepts
- Safeguarding & DUST Referrals
- Join a supportive team passionate about student wellbeing and success
- Step into a role where every day is an opportunity to empower the next generation.
Alongside our priority of excellent student experience, we also focus on our employees. Here are just some of our benefits when working for the East Kent Colleges Group:
- Generous Annual Leave - 24 days + 5 days after 5 years
- Learning and Development Opportunities - 3-4 annual paid group development days, bespoke programmes e.g. Next Steps Mentoring Programme and strong internal progression - 1 in 3 roles are filled internally
- Exclusive Discounts & Perks - Inc. restaurant, grocery, retail and holidays discounts as well as car leasing and tech purchasing schemes
- Flexible Personal Leave - Time off for your child's first day at nursery or school, moving homes and for interviews
- Wellbeing and Health Support - Generous sick pay, counselling services, discounted gym membership at Canterbury College
- Culture and Recognition - Being part of Community Days, an annual Staff Celebration Day, and an eco-friendly organisation dedicated to reaching net-zero by 2030
- Competitive Pension Scheme - 18% employer contribution
About You
We are seeking to appoint a proactive and motivated Apprenticeship Progression Mentor to join our dedicated team. In this vital apprentice-facing role, you’ll help ensure learners are supported throughout their time at college and in their workplace, enabling them to thrive academically and personally.
You will:
- Be an excellent communicator, able to build strong relationships with apprentices, staff, parents, and external agencies
- Be empathetic, supportive and non-judgmental, with a genuine commitment to student wellbeing
- Remain calm under pressure and respond effectively to the changing demands of a busy college environment
- Have experience supporting young people, particularly those with mental health difficulties (desirable)
- Demonstrate a flexible, positive and solution-focused approach
- Be willing to travel across our sites.
You will also be responsible for:
- Maintaining accurate records and reporting concerns to relevant departments
- Supporting apprentices to engage, achieve and progress
- Using Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) confidently and effectively
If you’re passionate about making a difference and feel this role aligns with your skills and experience, we’d love to hear from you. No need to spend time updating your CV – just click Apply and complete our short application form. You can save your progress as you go, and we’ll review all applications after the closing date.
For an informal chat or if you have any questions, please email us at jobs@ekcgroup.ac.uk.
About Us
Outstanding Ofsted Provider. East Kent Colleges Group is an Ofsted Outstanding rated provider. It is proud to be the first General Further Education college organisation in the country to have received the Outstanding grade against each of the strands under the new Ofsted inspection framework. An inclusive provider, our colleagues place our students and the communities we serve at the heart of everything they do across EKC Group and this is illustrated in our ‘Strong’ skills grading by Ofsted.
Commitment to Safeguarding. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and we ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities for upholding these principles. As a designated establishment, we are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore have an obligation to carry out checks to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults. These checks include conviction/caution self-declaration, Enhanced DBS check and obtaining sufficient referencing. It is a criminal offence to apply for a post which involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to children if you are barred from doing so. If you are successful in being shortlisted to interview, your suitability to work with children and vulnerable adults will be explored as part of the interview process.
Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. East Kent Colleges Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all members of our communities. We are particularly keen to increase the diversity of our staff body and encourage applications from candidates where there is underrepresentation in our workforce. We are proud to hold the Positive About Disability Award and are a Disability Confident Employer. This confirms our commitment to interviewing all applicants who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification. With any successful candidate, we will explore any reasonable adjustments to a role due to health needs or disability. Similarly, we have a commitment to Care Leavers (Care Covenant Pledge) and to current or previous Armed Forces personnel (Armed Forces Covenant Pledge) with a commitment to interview applicants who meet the positions essential criteria and who have declared this on their application. We welcome applications from anyone wishing to work flexibly and those considering a return to work from a career break. We do not engage with agencies for permanent staff and have an in-house recruitment team.
Apprenticeship Student Progression Mentor in Canterbury employer: Ashford College
At EKC Training, we pride ourselves on being an outstanding employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of our apprentices. Our supportive work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering generous annual leave, extensive learning opportunities, and a commitment to employee wellbeing. Join us in a role where every day is an opportunity to inspire and empower the next generation while enjoying exclusive perks and a competitive pension scheme.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Apprenticeship Student Progression Mentor in Canterbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, attend events, and connect with current or former employees of EKC Training. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. EKC Group is all about student wellbeing and empowerment, so think about how you can showcase your passion for supporting young people during your chat.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to mentoring and supporting apprentices. Use real-life examples to demonstrate your skills and experience—this will help you stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your commitment to making a difference in students' lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Apprenticeship Student Progression Mentor in Canterbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for supporting apprentices and making a difference.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of an Apprenticeship Progression Mentor. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for our team!
Keep It Clear and Concise:While we love a good story, keep your application straightforward. Use clear language and get straight to the point about your relevant experience and what you can bring to the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s super easy, and you can save your progress as you go. We can’t wait to read your application and hopefully welcome you to our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ashford College
✨Know Your Role
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key responsibilities of an Apprenticeship Progression Mentor. Familiarise yourself with how to support apprentices and the specific challenges they face. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
Since this role involves working closely with disaffected or disengaged young people, be prepared to share examples of how you've supported individuals in similar situations. Highlight your empathetic approach and how you can build strong relationships with students.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, such as a student struggling with mental health issues. Think about your past experiences and how you can apply them to real-life scenarios. This will show your problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Wellbeing
EKC Training values student wellbeing highly, so be ready to discuss your understanding of mental health and how you can contribute to a supportive environment. Mention any relevant qualifications or training you have, like Mental Health First Aid, to strengthen your application.
