Doncaster College
Director of Apprenticeships
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The vacancy
Role Summary
We are seeking an experienced and ambitious leader to join DN Colleges Group as Director of Apprenticeships. This strategic role will provide operational leadership for apprenticeship provision, initially focusing on Engineering and Construction, while driving sustainable growth, outstanding quality and exceptional apprentice outcomes.
Working closely with curriculum teams, employers and key stakeholders, you will ensure apprenticeship programmes are responsive to employer demand, Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) priorities and regional economic needs. You will lead a culture of high aspirations and continuous improvement, ensuring apprentices receive an outstanding learning experience while maintaining compliance with funding and quality requirements.
This is a group role - there is an expectation to travel across Doncaster and Scunthorpe
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage high-quality apprenticeship provision, ensuring programmes meet the needs of employers and apprentices.
- Drive apprenticeship growth across priority sectors including Engineering, Construction, Green Skills and emerging technologies.
- Develop and strengthen employer partnerships to support curriculum development and business growth.
- Lead quality assurance and improvement activities, ensuring provision is inspection-ready and delivers outstanding outcomes.
- Monitor and improve key performance indicators including attendance, retention, achievement and progression.
- Use data analysis and evidence-informed approaches to drive curriculum planning and quality enhancement.
- Manage budgets and resources effectively to support strategic objectives and operational performance.
- Support and develop curriculum managers, fostering a high-performing culture across apprenticeship provision.
- Represent the College externally with employers, stakeholders and regional skills partners.
- Contribute to strategic planning and provide expert advice to senior leaders on apprenticeship development.
Essential Criteria
- Significant management experience within a Further Education environment.
- Proven experience leading apprenticeship provision within technical and/or vocational curriculum areas.
- Strong knowledge of apprenticeship funding, compliance and accountability frameworks.
- Experience of developing employer partnerships and delivering curriculum growth.
- Experience of leading quality improvement initiatives that have improved apprentice outcomes.
- Excellent leadership, communication and data analysis skills, with a commitment to high standards and learner success.
Benefits For Working For DN Colleges
Why Join Us?
- Access to the Teachers' Pension Scheme, widely recognised as one of the strongest workplace pension schemes available in the UK.
- 43 days annual leave, including 35 bookable days, 8 bank holidays and 8 days at Christmas.
- Professional development opportunities, including dedicated CPD days, funded qualifications, support through our internal development panel and extensive e-learning resources.
- Access to same-day GP appointments, high street discounts, discounted hair and beauty treatments and an electric car scheme.
- Wellbeing support, including our Employee Assistance Programme, same-day GP access, retail benefits and electric car scheme.
- Onsite perks including coffee shops, food halls, floristry, hair and beauty services and gym facilities.
- Salary of £49,569 - £55,768 per annum (Grade 7).
- Permanent, full-time position working 35.5 hours per week.
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Important Things to Note
- In DN Colleges we call this role Director of Apprenticeships but you might know this as Apprenticeship Manager, Head of Apprenticeships, Apprenticeship Operations Director, Director of Skills and Apprenticeships, Apprenticeship Programme Director.
- We are not looking for agency support for this role.
- Even if you are not a teacher yet, please get in touch to discuss how we can support you through our Trade to Teach or Let's Teach programmes.
- If this role qualifies for the Teacher Pension Scheme and this would be your first teaching role, two years' service must be completed before pension benefits are added to your teacher pension record.
- If you need more information about this or any other part of this advert, please contact us at staff.recruitment@dncolleges.ac.uk.
Additional Information
- Teaching Qualifications: Applicants are not required to hold a teaching qualification at the point of appointment. However, they must be willing to work towards and achieve a recognised Level 5 teaching qualification within the first 18 months of employment. This qualification must then be maintained through ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD). At DN Colleges Group, a recognised teaching qualification is defined as Level 5 or above.
- Safer Recruitment: As part of the recruitment process and in line with keeping children safe in education, we will conduct social media checks on shortlisted candidates. Additionally, before commencing employment, all employees undergo safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS.
- Right to Work: Applicants must be authorised to work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
- Closing date: 6th October
About Us
Here at Doncaster College and University Centre we understand that choosing what to do next can be a huge decision. It’s not just about the course you choose to study, it is about the tutors, the experiences and the friends you meet along the way.
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We have over 120 courses at full and part-time, from entry level right up to university level. As well as the vast amount of courses on offer, we ensure all our students get the right support and guidance whether it is through our careers service, our additional learning support, counselling, student finance and many other services all tailored to each individual.
Our exciting and modern campus is in a central location, packed with workspaces designed to industry standard. We work directly with employers allowing you real work experience and industry insight that you will not get from sitting behind a desk.
The Benefits
All employees at DN Colleges Group enjoy a generous annual leave allowance, as well as an additional 2 weeks closure over the Christmas period. We encourage all our teams to take regular breaks, no longer than 3 weeks, to enjoy a healthy work life balance.
DN Colleges Group are committed to Health and Wellbeing of all our employees. We have an increasing number of provisions exclusive to our employees, designed to help you stay at your best or to assist and provide support when you need it.
- Health and fitness suite
- Generous annual leave
- 2 weeks off at Christmas
- Electric car scheme
- Vivup – Employee Wellbeing and Benefits platform
- Wellness initiatives, onsite during your working week. This could include health visitors, financial advisers, or physio specialists.
- Onsite fitness classes, at lunchtime or after work in conjunction with our Sports colleagues.
- Cycle to Work and Electric car scheme
- Free Eye Care Vouchers
- Discounted Hair and Beauty services
- On site nursery
- Online access to Remploy which is our 24/7 confidential mental health and counselling resource.
- In house counselling/safeguarding specialists to assist in Wellbeing
Lets Teach Programme
Let’s Teach The LET’s teach programme supports new members of teaching staff in terms of college systems and key teaching and learning areas including new staff lesson visits and postcard peeps. Each new member of staff has an allocated Lead Practitioner who works closely with them throughout the programme.
Let’s Bloom
The LET’s Bloom Programme aims to connect our experienced and qualified teachers to share best practice and support continued risk-taking as we continue to add depth to our teaching craft. Teachers volunteer on this one year programme, working closely with the Learning Enhancement Team, capturing their experimentation in a journal.
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