Apprenticeship Progress Mentor - £26,000 to £29,000 pa

Mercury Training Services Ltd is the largest and most successful security and facilities apprenticeship provider in England, with more than 21 years of sector expertise. We deliver high quality apprenticeship programmes across security, facilities management, business administration, and management, helping individuals and businesses thrive.

Our learners are placed with prestigious organisations including the Ministry of Defence, major corporate employers, museums, universities, the NHS, sea ports and airports, logistics hubs, and high end retail environments. We are committed to empowering both our apprentices and their employers through expert guidance, technical credibility, and pastoral support.

If you are passionate about shaping the next generation of security and facilities professionals, this is an opportunity to join a values led team that takes quality seriously.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Apprenticeship Progress Mentor provides structured pastoral and progress support to apprentices throughout their programme. Working in close coordination with Skills Coaches and Assessors, the post holder bridges the gap between formal skills coaching sessions, ensuring apprentices remain on track, engaged, and supported between touchpoints.

The post holder will lead regular tripartite progress reviews every 10 to 12 weeks with apprentices and their line managers, monitoring progress against programme milestones, off the job training targets, and individual development goals. This is a client facing role requiring professional credibility with employers including government bodies and security sector organisations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Progress Reviews

• Conduct structured tripartite progress reviews with each apprentice and their line manager every 10 to 12 weeks.
• Prepare and complete review documentation accurately and within agreed timescales, including off the job training records, progress summaries, and action plans.
• Monitor progress against Individual Learning Plans, gateway readiness criteria, and programme milestones.
• Identify and elevate concerns regarding learner progress, wellbeing, or employer engagement in a timely manner.
• Ensure review records are stored accurately within the MIS and ePortfolio systems in line with DfE and Ofsted requirements.

Learner Support and Interim Contact

• Maintain regular contact with apprentices between Skills Coach visits to provide encouragement, check progress, and address emerging issues.
• Support apprentices to complete off the job training logs, reflective journals, and portfolio evidence as required.
• Act as a first point of contact for pastoral concerns, signposting to appropriate support services and the Mercury safeguarding team where needed.
• Promote learner motivation, attendance, and retention throughout the programme.

Employer Engagement

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with line managers and employer contacts across the assigned caseload.
• Communicate professionally with employers regarding apprentice progress, review outcomes, and any areas requiring employer support.
• Represent Mercury Training Services professionally in client environments, including government and critical national infrastructure sites.

Quality and Compliance

• Ensure all activity meets DfE funding rules, apprenticeship standards requirements, and Mercury's internal quality standards.
• Support the preparation of learner files and progress evidence in readiness for internal quality assurance sampling and Ofsted inspection.
• Contribute to quality improvement activity as directed by the Quality Operations Manager or Delivery Manager.
• Attend team meetings, continuing professional development sessions, and standardisation activities as required.

SAFEGUARDING AND PREVENT

Mercury Training Services is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners, including young people and vulnerable adults. The post holder will be expected to uphold Mercury's safeguarding policy, complete mandatory safeguarding and Prevent training, and report any concerns through the agreed channels including the Mercury 24 hour safeguarding hotline, the safeguarding inbox, and the Tootoot reporting service.

The appointment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check and receipt of suitable references.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Minimum three years' experience in an apprenticeship, training, coaching, or learning support role.
• Strong understanding of the apprenticeship funding and assurance environment, including off the job training requirements.
• Confident managing a caseload of learners and conducting structured tripartite reviews with employers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the credibility to represent Mercury in client and government environments.
• Highly organised, with proven ability to maintain accurate records on MIS and ePortfolio systems.
• Willingness to travel up to 50 percent of the time across UK employer sites.
• Right to work in the UK and willingness to undertake an enhanced DBS check.
• Working knowledge of apprenticeship standards in security, facilities management, business administration, or management.
• Familiarity with Ofsted Education Inspection Framework expectations for apprenticeship providers.
• Experience supporting learners on government, defence, or critical national infrastructure contracts.
• Assessor, IQA, or teaching qualification (CAVA, TAQA, AET, CET, DET, or equivalent).

WHAT WE OFFER

• Salary of £26,000 to £29,000 per annum depending on experience.
• Flexitime and hybrid remote working.
• Company pension scheme.
• Structured induction and ongoing continuing professional development.
• Supportive team culture in a quality focused organisation with strong long term employer partnerships.