Hybrid Apprenticeship Outcomes Officer

We are keen to receive applications from those who would like to be considered for the role of Apprenticeship Outcomes Officer (AOO) as and when vacancies arise. As the University continues to grow and expand its academic offering, the need for AOOs to support our students also continues to grow.

Employment status and working hours

We currently have three full-time vacancies available: X1 permanent, X2 fixed term for up to 13 months (maternity cover). Full time hours at the University are 35 per week with the standard working pattern Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00, with some flexibility in start/finish times.

Organisation structure

Education and Students, Apprenticeship Outcomes. Your line manager will be an Apprenticeship Outcomes Manager.

Place of work flexibility

Your time will be split between the Horizons, Reading office and your home. The exact split of days/hours is negotiable but will include up to 30 days per year at Horizons. Working from home is only possible if your environment is suitable.

High level summary of job role

As an Apprenticeship Outcomes Officer, you will manage a caseload of apprentices to achieve timely and successful outcomes. You will plan for and facilitate high quality progress reviews where the apprentice and the employer take the lead in reviewing the progress made. You will monitor each allocated apprentice’s participation in off-the-job training and ensure that the requirements for apprenticeship funding are met. You will maintain accurate records of apprentice progress and other factors within each apprentice’s e-portfolio. You will also provide non-technical support and guidance to employers of apprentices in allocated caseloads, to enable them to understand and fulfil the requirements of the apprenticeship and to support their apprentice(s) to achieve.

Specific job role accountabilities and responsibilities

• Schedule, plan for and undertake high-quality progress monitoring and review activity for an allocated apprentice caseload.
• Monitor each allocated apprentice’s participation in off-the-job training and ensure, through taking interventions as appropriate, that the requirements for apprenticeship funding are met.
• Maintain accurate records of apprentice progress and other factors within each allocated apprentice’s e-portfolio.
• Be jointly accountable, with the relevant Apprenticeship Outcome Manager, for the achievement of retention and success targets for apprentices in allocated caseload.
• Provide non-technical support and guidance to employers of apprentices in allocated caseload to enable them to understand and fulfil the requirements of the apprenticeship and to support their apprentice(s) to achieve.
• Respond to Student Central queries relating to apprentices in allocated caseload.
• Contribute to apprentice on-boarding activities, to include completing additional progress reviews as required to support the needs of the apprenticeship business.
• Undertake required aspects of administrative work in relation to changes of circumstances, gateway progression and completions for apprenticeships in the allocated caseload.
• Support the implementation of outstanding Safeguarding practice (including health, safety and welfare) across the University’s apprenticeship team.
• Follow‑up on and where appropriate refer any health and safety issues/concerns identified as part of apprentice progress reviews or by any other means.
• Support the compliance of the University’s apprenticeship programme delivery with ESFA requirements and partnership lead provider requirements.
• Support self‑assessment and quality improvement planning activity.
• Support the integration of the University’s apprenticeship provision into its core business.

Other important features of the job role

Line management responsibilities: None. Budget responsibility: None. In this role you will liaise with the following: Apprentices, Employers, Apprenticeship team, Student Outreach team, Academic team, Business Development team.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications and training

• Level 3 or higher qualification or equivalent workplace experience.
• Evidence of recent professional development.
• Coaching or counselling qualification.

Previous experience

• Experience in a similar role.
• Supporting learners/apprentices in identifying and setting own SMART targets.
• Working within the higher education sector/built environment sector.
• Standards-based apprenticeship delivery including end‑point assessment processes.

Behaviours and attitudes

Alignment to the University’s core values and growth mindset approach, which reflect our culture.

Skills, knowledge, other requirements

• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Planning and organisational skills, with the ability to work flexibly and adapt readily to changing circumstances.
• Ability to motivate and support others to achieve their goals.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and manage competing priorities in a highly pressurised environment.
• Attention to detail.
• Understanding of Microsoft Teams or Zoom for virtual meetings.
• Knowledge of Safeguarding and Prevent Duty requirements.
• Understanding of apprenticeship funding methodologies and funding rule requirements.
• Knowledge of the Maths and English functional skills curriculum, initial and diagnostic assessment processes and skills development resources.
• Understanding of the Education Inspection Framework and Ofsted inspection processes.
• Digital skills confidence: We use MS Office which includes Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Commitment to delivering positive outcomes for our students regardless of your area of work within the University.
• You must be prepared to undertake mandatory online training should you be appointed.

PAY AND BENEFITS

Salary: £30,942 per annum. Holiday: 26 days paid holiday (rising to 28 with service) plus paid bank/public holidays plus up to five paid closure days (typically between Christmas and New Year); all per holiday year Full Time Equivalent. Our holiday year runs from 1 August to 31 July. We also have a holiday buy and sell scheme in place.

APPLICATIONS - THINGS TO CONSIDER

We expect job seekers to be curious about who we are and what we do. Closing date and next steps: We will receive applications on a rolling basis. Applications will be reviewed as and when they are received and you may be invited to interview at any time. Interview details will be advised to you later in the process.