Wigan & Leigh College and University Centre
Teaching Assistant (Vocational Programmes)
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Application Deadline: 11 September 2026
Department: Foundation Studies
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Wigan & Leigh College
Compensation: £27,467 - £29,876 / year
Description
Permanent - Full time 37 Hours per week
Practical Support. Real Confidence. Changed Lives.
At Wigan & Leigh College, Great People. Change Lives.
This is a hands-on role supporting students across a range of practical and classroom-based learning. You will work with teaching staff in workshops, classrooms and practical learning spaces to help learners understand tasks, use equipment safely, stay focused and build lasting confidence.
You might be supporting learners in areas such as art and design, health and social care, hair and beauty, hospitality or any of our vocational programmes. What matters most is your ability to encourage people, explain things clearly, keep calm when things are difficult and help students to take the next step. This isn’t a traditional Learning Support Assistant Role, it’s about helping students succeed in vocational learning – practically, personally and professionally.
What you'll do
- Help students understand instructions, organise equipment and complete tasks.
- Reinforce safe working practices and professional behaviours.
- Support individuals and small groups in practical learning environments.
- Help students stay focused, prepared and ready to learn.
- Encourage confidence, resilience and independence.
- Support theory lessons and supervise small group activities.
- Supervise prepared lessons when needed.
- Promote attendance, punctuality and positive behaviour.
- Work with teaching, pastoral and support to help students succeed.
- Follow safeguarding procedures and report concerns promptly.
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What you'll bring
- A wealth of experience working with young people and/or vulnerable learners.
- You may have worked in education, training, youth work, care, support work, coaching or other hands-on environments.
- Strong communication skills with an ability to communicate with learners and colleagues clearly and effectively.
- A calm, patient and resilient attitude that finds solutions and role models positive behaviours.
What You're Like
- You are calm, patient, and consistent, with the ability to build positive relationships quickly with young people.
- You understand that behaviour is often a form of communication and respond with empathy, clarity, and firm boundaries.
- You are confident working across a variety of vocational environments and can explain tasks in a simple, accessible way.
- You take pride in helping others succeed, remain resilient when things don’t go to plan, and bring a positive, encouraging presence to learning environments.
Essentials
- You’ll need an enhanced DBS check.
- You’re committed to safeguarding and inclusion.
- You can travel across sites if required.
- You’re flexible and willing to work beyond standard hours when needed to support the provision.
Desirable
- A teaching assistant qualification
Why work with us?
Wigan & Leigh College sits at the heart of its community. Great People. Change Lives. is how we describe what happens here, and it's how teaching, support, and encouragement shape the futures of students, families, and the region they're part of. You'll join a department where critical thinking and real-world application are central to teaching, and where students get the time and challenge they need to succeed.
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You'll have time to teach well, support students through demanding A level and T Level courses and develop your own practice. You'll see the impact when students leave with the grades, analytical skills, and confidence to take their next step.
Time to recharge
- Generous annual leave entitlement, including bank holidays (depending on your role)
- Family-friendly leave policies
Wellbeing as well as work
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
- Medicash healthcare plan
- Occupational health support
- Confidential counselling
- Specsavers eye test vouchers
- A culture where people look out for each other
Financial peace of mind
- Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
- Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, buy tech)
- Railcard & Tusker Green car scheme
- Local and national discount schemes
Clear progression routes
- Opportunities to step up, specialise, or move across departments
- Leadership pathways
- Support to gain teaching qualifications
Read More About Our Benefits.
Please complete our application form in full. We can't accept CVs.
Our college is growing and so are our teams. If this role isn't quite right, you'll find our other jobs at wigan-leigh-ac-uk.pinpointhq.com.
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