Manager, Apprenticeship Support Programs

Victorian Government; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 143,000 - 191,000; Full time

Job summary

Victorian Government, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, Melbourne, is seeking a Manager, Apprenticeship Support Programs to lead the operation and continuous improvement of Apprenticeships Victoria’s programs. You will oversee grants, budget, workforce management and reporting, while engaging diverse stakeholders.

The role requires strategic and operational leadership to deliver high-quality apprentice-centered services and to drive governance-aligned outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience leading apprenticeship programs or similar workforce initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder engagement with internal and external partners.
• Ability to set strategy and drive program performance improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead operation and continuous improvement of Apprenticeships Victoria's programs.
• Manage grants, budgets and performance reporting across programs.
• Develop service delivery models within business plans and objectives.
• Engage with external stakeholders and represent the work area.
• Monitor performance, manage risks, and ensure governance alignment.
• Drive data-informed improvements to efficiency and service quality.

Skills

People Management

Innovation

Customer Focus

Critical Thinking

Systems Thinking

Collaboration

Job description

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/101259A

The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) is focused on growing Victoria’s prosperity, building the productive capacity of our economy and increasing participation – by creating more opportunities for people through skills and jobs; helping businesses and industries to thrive; and building vibrant communities and regions.
Our work spans numerous portfolios, supporting departmental ministers and operating across metropolitan, regional and international offices.
The Department welcomes and encourages applications from diverse applicants, including First Peoples, refugees or asylum seekers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, LGBTIQ+ people and people with disability. All roles at DJSIR can be worked flexibly and we offer reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities.

Manager, Apprenticeship Support Programs

• Salary: $142,790 - $191,084 (Plus superannuation)
• Fixed term position until 30 June 2028
• Usual hours of work: Full-time ((flexibility may be available)
• Usual work location: 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 (flexibility may be available)

The Role

The Manager, Apprenticeship Support Programs is responsible for leading the effective operation, performance and continuous improvement of Apprenticeships Victoria's apprentice support programs.

The role provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure programs deliver high-quality, apprentice centred support services. The Manager oversees operations, grant and budget management, workforce management, performance and reporting and process improvement across the programs. The programs require strong stakeholder engagement with both internal and external stakeholders.

The Manager is accountable for monitoring program performance, managing risks and ensuring services are delivered in line with departmental objectives, policy settings and governance requirements. Using data and insights, the Manager performance and drives continuous improvement across both programs to improve efficiency and service quality. This role requires strong operational expertise and sound judgement.

Key accountabilities include:

• Identifies and responds to new and emerging strategic issues impacting on the operating environment
• Develops service delivery models within business plans and objectives
• Provides highly specialist services or expert advice on service delivery
• Represents own work area with external stakeholders, and effectively manages feedback
• Participates in strategic planning and contributes to strategic decision-making process
• Responsible for meeting service objectives, including financial, quality and time related targets for programs or major projects

The Team

The position of Manager, Apprenticeship Support Programs will work within Apprenticeships Victoria Branch, which sits within Skills and TAFE Group.

Skills and TAFE (ST) focuses on enabling Victorians to access the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to participate in today's workforce, prepare for future jobs, and achieve their educational aspirations.

Working in close partnership with the Victorian Skills Authority (VSA), ST provides leadership and stewardship of a responsive, high-quality vocational education and training (VET) system. This includes oversight of the Victorian TAFE Network, led by the Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery (OTCD), and the apprenticeships system, with a strong focus on aligning training with industry needs and strengthening pathways into the workforce.

ST supports lifelong learning and inclusive education through Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) and the Learn Local network, helping adult learners progress into further study or work. ST collaborates across government, industry, education providers, and communities to deliver skills‑focused solutions that improve workforce outcomes and enable businesses to access a skilled workforce.

About You

To be successful in this role you will have the following skills and experience:

• Managing People: Role models ethical leadership through decision making and interactions with people; Creates an organisational culture that enables others to perform at their best and achieve outcomes the organisation.
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Establishes metrics that evaluate quality and effectiveness of work delivered; Models and encourages new and different approaches, ways of working and solutions that deliver outcomes beyond stakeholder expectations.
• Customer Focus: Assesses effectiveness of service delivery against leading services; Challenges others to deliver service excellence; Looks for long term benefits to the client.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Considers a broad range of topics (beyond immediate area of work), works across government and at senior levels to develop and deliver sustainable solutions.
• Systems Thinking: Establishes an integrated perspective of the organisation's systems and identifies the leverage points where intervention will add value.
• Working Collaboratively: Build a culture of collaboration across the organisation; Looks for and facilitates opportunities to collaborate with external stakeholders; Identifies and overcomes barriers to communication with internal and external stakeholder

Further Information

For a confidential discussion, please contact Rebecca Clark, Director, Insights and Reform on 0438 108 553 or [e-mail]

The department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards .

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description.

Applications close Sunday 25 October 2026 at 11.59pm