At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape the apprenticeship programme, supporting apprentices from recruitment to qualification.
- Company: Established multi-site business investing in future talent.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £45k and opportunity for career progression.
- Other info: Full-time office role near Luton with dynamic team collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young talent's careers and influence the future workforce.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing apprenticeships and strong organisational skills required.
We're working with an established, multi-site business who are investing in their future talent pipeline and looking for an Early Careers professional to take ownership of their apprenticeship programme. You'll be responsible for the full apprentice journey - from attracting and recruiting new talent, through training and development, to qualification and progression into permanent roles.
You'll have the opportunity to shape the programme, influence senior stakeholders and build strong relationships across the business and with external training partners. Please note: This role is based near Luton, and is full time in the office.
Key responsibilities
- Recruitment & workforce planning - identifying future skills needs and building an annual apprenticeship recruitment plan.
- Apprentice management - becoming the go-to person for apprentices, supporting their development, attendance, performance and wellbeing.
- Training & development - ensuring apprentices receive the right work experience, mentoring, college training and off-the-job learning.
- Provider management - building effective relationships with colleges and training providers and holding them accountable for delivery.
- Funding & budgets - managing apprenticeship funding, budgets, claims, grants and the apprenticeship service account.
- Progression - ensuring apprentices are supported through their qualifications and have a clear route into longer-term roles.
- Programme improvement - using data, feedback and insight to improve retention, completion and the overall apprentice experience.
You'll work closely with HR, Finance, operational leaders, managers and mentors, while also being the key link between the business and external training providers.
We're looking for someone who already understands the apprenticeship landscape and can hit the ground running. You'll ideally have:
- Proven experience managing apprenticeships or early careers programmes.
- Strong knowledge of apprenticeship funding and administration.
- Experience managing colleges and training providers.
- Confidence managing budgets, claims, funding records and compliance requirements.
- A genuine interest in developing people and helping early-career talent succeed.
- The confidence to challenge managers and providers when standards or progress aren't where they need to be.
- Excellent organisation and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience working across multiple sites or departments.
Construction, property maintenance or social housing experience would be a real advantage, particularly knowledge of trade apprenticeships and CITB funding. This is a chance to take ownership of a programme that has a direct impact on the organisation's future workforce. Please apply online now.
Early Careers Manager employer: Howells Solutions Limited
Join a leading Repairs and Maintenance Contractor in Dartford, where your skills as a Carpenter will directly contribute to enhancing the quality of social housing. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will benefit from progression opportunities into supervisory and management roles, alongside comprehensive training support. Enjoy a supportive work culture that values your contributions, offers competitive pay, and provides essential benefits like a company van, fuel card, and generous holiday entitlement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Careers Manager
✨Dive into the Talent Acquisition Community
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We think you need these skills to ace Early Careers Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Passion for Talent Acquisition:In your cover letter, let your passion for recruiting shine through! Talk about what drew you to talent acquisition. Share experiences where you helped others find their dream jobs or any times you've been involved in hiring processes – it’ll show us at Howells Solutions Limited that you're genuinely invested in the field.
Highlight Relevant Skills and Certifications:Make sure your CV includes any relevant skills or certifications related to recruiting. Mentioning your knowledge of applicant tracking systems, personality assessments, or even any HR-related qualifications can set you apart. This way, we can see straight away that you're not just any candidate but one with the necessary tools for talent acquisition.
Tailor Your CV for the Job:When applying for Early Careers Manager at Howells Solutions Limited, tailor your CV to reflect the job description. Highlight previous experiences in recruitment, candidate sourcing, or employee engagement that align with what we’re after. Personalisation shows we’re not just another checkbox on your job applications!
Bring Your Unique Perspective:In your cover letter, don't hesitate to share your unique perspective on what makes a good recruiter. Whether it's building strong candidate relationships or your approach to diversity in hiring, your insights can resonate well with our team. We love a fresh take, so let it shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at Howells Solutions Limited
✨Know Your Sourcing Strategies
In the talent acquisition world, it’s all about knowing the best sourcing strategies. Be prepared to discuss specific techniques you’ve used to find and attract top talent, whether that’s through social media, networking events, or innovative outreach methods. Bring examples that showcase your capability!
✨Value of Employer Branding
Employer branding is a huge part of recruitment, so be ready to chat about how you’ve contributed to building an attractive company image. Think about how you’d pitch Howells Solutions Limited to potential candidates and maintain a consistent brand image across platforms.
✨Demonstrate Your Interviewing Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, hiring managers will want to see your interviewing prowess. Prepare for mock interview scenarios where you might need to assess candidates' cultural fit and skill set. Practise asking competency-based questions to demonstrate your systematic approach.
✨Engage with Data and Metrics
Being data-driven is key in talent acquisition! Expect to discuss how you’ve used recruiting metrics to refine your strategies. Familiarise yourself with common KPIs, like time-to-fill and candidate satisfaction scores, and be ready to back up your insights with data!
