Work Experience Officer (Mat Cover) in London

About BCT

BCT is a leading creative industry training provider with more than 25 years’ track record of delivering education and work opportunities. Our mission is to Develop Talent, Transform Lives, Create Careers and in order to do this we offer vocational study programmes, apprenticeships, traineeships and adult learning courses.

Safeguarding statement

Big Creative Training is committed to a safe, inclusive environment where learners, staff and visitors can thrive. Our safeguarding culture protects learners from harm, abuse, neglect, exploitation and radicalisation. All staff must adhere to our safeguarding and child protection policies, procedures and codes of conduct, which set out responsibilities for identifying, reporting and responding to concerns. These are provided to all staff during induction. BCT operates a robust safer recruitment process. Any job offer is subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check, identity and qualification verification, right to work checks, and other pre-employment vetting. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, shortlisted candidates are also subject to an online search. Shortlisted candidates must complete a safeguarding self-disclosure form before interview. Interviews include questions assessing understanding of safeguarding, child protection, professional boundaries, and commitment to protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Equality diversity and inclusion statement

At BCT we believe that the strongest communities and most innovative creative futures are built through equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels respected and able to be their authentic selves. We celebrate the diverse experiences and identities of our colleagues and learners, recognising that these differences strengthen our community and enrich creativity, including through initiatives such as our annual Culture Day celebration. Inclusion is embedded throughout our community and our decision-making. We work to challenge stereotypes and have zero tolerance for discrimination and bias. We remove barriers to participation, ensuring study, employment and career progression opportunities are fair and accessible to all. We are dedicated to advancing equity across all reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation, creating a workplace and learning environment where everyone has equality of opportunity to succeed, develop, and progress.

Job Summary

We’re looking for an enthusiastic work experience officer to join our team, on a maternity cover basis.

• Maths and English GCSE Grade 4/C or equivalent (Level 2)
• Degree/A-Levels/relevant qualification in the subject area

Essential skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to convey and explain concepts in straightforward language.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Accurate record-keeping, tracking and monitoring across a wide-ranging portfolio of adherence to deadlines.
• Good presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to influence, challenge and manage difficult situations.
• Proficient IT Skills across a range of software packages.
• Commitment to and enthusiasm for delivering.
• Great team working skills.
• Effective time management and able to work.
• Passionate advocate of safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Business driven approach to work in line with the college values and ethics.
• Ability to establish productive and supportive working relationships with apprentices, employers, and colleagues.

Key tasks

• To source, identify and gain suitable work placements for students.
• Make excellent connections with employers to maximise the students' opportunity for sustainable employment or other progression.
• Be the first point of contact for Work Experience related opportunities and respond to first line enquiries from employers, students and others.
• Liaise with and support external partners on details for overseas work experience opportunities via the Turing scheme.
• Act as a conduit between employers and BCT ensuring that all business leads are referred to the appropriate BCE lead.
• Arrange and run visits and tours for prospective employers as part of the introduction to Big Creative Training.
• Support with wider departmental functions & events.

Salary and days of work

• 21 hours across 3 days a week for 52 weeks per year.
• Pro rata of 26 days of annual leave plus UK bank holidays.
• This is a fixed-term part-time position until Feb 2027.
• Start Date ASAP.
• Pro rata of FTE £31,000 salary.
• We welcome industry professionals who wish to enter teaching, via the fully funded Taking Teaching Further scheme’s qualification. This includes 6 months of reduced timetable for training with full pay and lesson cover.
• Company pension scheme.
• Staff social events.
• Interest-free emergency or career development loans.
• Employee assistance programme.
• You must be eligible to work in the UK as this job is in London and cannot be done remotely.

What we are looking for

• Inappropriate attitudes toward, or relationships with, children or young people, or anything indicating a risk in a regulated activity with children.
• Evidence of extremism, radicalisation, or promotion of abuse or exploitation.
• Discriminatory, harassing, or abusive content directed at others.
• Publicly visible behaviour that would conflict with BCT’s code of conduct or safeguarding policies, or that would cause serious reputational harm to BCT.

Induction and probation

All staff who are new to BCT will receive an induction that includes the safeguarding policies and guidance on safe working practices. All new staff will be subject to a 6 month probation period as detailed in the probation policy, which will provide a formal framework for ensuring that the standards of performance set by BCT are fully communicated. Checks will also be put in place during the probationary period to ensure safeguarding has been covered.