Early Careers, Outreach and Apprenticeship Manager in Oxford

Volantes Technical Recruitment are currently seeking an Early Careers, Outreach and Apprenticeship Manager to join one of the world’s largest helicopter manufacturers. This organisation offers considerable experience in helicopter sales, bespoke completions, maintenance and spares support. Its in-house engineering capabilities include design, customisation, installation, flight-testing and certification, as well as technical support, maintenance, training and the supply of spares for civil and military applications.

This role serves as the architect of the organisation’s talent pipeline across all three of their major sites, bridging the gap between classroom learning and aerospace leadership. You will provide end-to-end oversight of the apprenticeship lifecycle for both Engineering and Business Support, ensuring programs remain compliant with industry standards while maximising the Apprenticeship Levy. By serving as the primary liaison between external training providers and internal stakeholders, you ensure that every learner, from a first-year apprentice to a high-potential manager, receives the mentorship and professional development necessary to sustain the future of aviation.

Beyond operational management, the position drives long-term workforce growth through proactive outreach and elite leadership training. You will design and lead school engagement initiatives to inspire the next generation of STEM talent, while simultaneously supporting the management of the organisations leadership academy to cultivate current high-potential employees. Success in this role requires a ‘coach mindset’ and high emotional intelligence to navigate complex project management tasks, identify emerging skills gaps, and present a clear, 12-month completion pipeline of engineering talent to the senior leadership team.

Main responsibilities

• Early Careers, Outreach & Apprenticeship Management
• Program Oversight: Lead the end-to-end apprenticeship lifecycle for Engineering and Support functions (Finance, HR, Procurement, etc.).
• Leadership Development (Strategic Growth): Support the Head of Training and HR with the delivery of the Leadership Development Programme, moving toward full ownership. This includes identifying high-potential talent and designing modules for management excellence.
• Stakeholder Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for external training providers, colleges, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and Abingdon and Witney College and Engineering Bicester.
• Mentorship & Performance: Monitor apprentice progress, conducting regular reviews and ensuring they meet both academic and operational milestones.
• Compliance: Ensure all apprenticeship and leadership programs meet UK government standards and internal global benchmarks.
• UK Apprenticeship & Levy Management
• Strategic Oversight: Manage the delivery of both Engineering and Business Support function apprenticeships.
• Levy Optimisation: Act as the subject matter expert for the UK Government Apprenticeship Levy, ensuring maximum ROI and compliance with ESFA funding rules.
• Provider Relations: Select and manage relationships with external training providers such as Resource Group, Baines Simmons and colleges to ensure high-quality curriculum delivery that meets aviation standards.
• Early Careers & Outreach
• School Outreach: Design and lead the School Outreach Programme to inspire interest in aerospace and STEM careers.
• Work Experience: Standardise and manage the intake process for work experience students, ensuring a meaningful, safe, and compliant learning environment.
• Careers Engagement: Represent the organisation at national and local career events, building a strong employer brand within the Oxfordshire innovation hub.
• Leadership Academy
• Leadership Development: Oversee the tiered Leadership and Management Programme, ensuring content aligns with internal global standards while meeting local UK operational needs.
• Talent Pipeline: Identify high-potential early careers talent and map their progression into the Leadership Academy pathways whilst ensuring the pipeline of engineering apprentices are communicated to the senior leadership team 12 months prior to completion.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• The Coach Mindset: Ability to inspire both an apprentice and a senior manager.
• Strategic Vision: Capacity to see the "big picture" of the workforce and identify where the next skills gaps will emerge.
• High Emotional Intelligence: Critical for navigating the leadership development and professional coaching aspects of the role.
• Project management: Ability to manage multiple programmes and projects at one time.

Desirable

• Qualification in delivering aviation-based training (e.g. Human Factors), Leadership programmes and formal PTTLS qualification or teaching training qualification or equivalent.

Education, Qualifications or Training

Essential

• Curriculum Development: Have previous experience in updating and maintaining training materials.
• Training Experience: Proven track record in early careers, outreach and apprenticeship management across multiple locations.
• Management Background: Experience managing people or programs, specifically within an apprenticeship or corporate L&D (Learning & Development) framework.

Desirable

• Technical Instruction / Training Delivery: Conduct theoretical and practical Part-147 training sessions for B1 (Turbine) maintenance categories.

Additional requirements

Due to the nature of this position, you will require a DBS check and be eligible for Security clearance (SC). Applicants must meet any/all requirements of Export Compliance Regulations. All candidates must possess the current, legal right to work in the United Kingdom. The organisation will not be able to offer sponsorship for any employment Visas.

The Reward

In joining this organisation, you will play a critical part in delivering the most efficient helicopters for its customers, who serve, protect, save lives and carry passengers in demanding environments. On top of your competitive base salary, you will have access to the following benefits below via our salary sacrifice schemes:

• Private Medical Insurance (Bupa) – single cover for employees paid by the company.
• Pension: Employees are auto enrolled into the Retirement Fund. Initially, the organisation contributes 6%, employee 4% basic.
• Share Incentive Plan and ESOP. Annual share schemes at company discretion.
• Success Share, Discretionary Group bonus scheme (conditions apply).
• Bikes to Work (up to £3,000) (employee purchase scheme).
• Technology (employee purchase scheme).
• Mydrive (employee car purchase scheme).
• Den-Plan (employee purchase scheme).
• Health-care Cash Scheme.
• Personal Accident Insurance (employee purchase scheme).
• Health Assessments.
• Travel Insurance.
• Shopping vouchers/discounts.
• Financial/Legal Advice (e.g., Will-writing; Lasting Power of Attorney).