Apprenticeship and Qualifications Lead (Social Care)

Southdown; Lewes; Hybrid; GBP 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent not-for-profit organization in Sussex is seeking a dedicated professional to manage apprenticeships and qualifications. This hybrid role requires expertise in developing and overseeing apprenticeship frameworks and ensuring alignment with business needs. Candidates should have strong experience in managing apprenticeship programmes and a passion for supporting learner success. Offering a competitive salary of £33,951 annually along with various perks.

Benefits

Health cost cash-back scheme

Interest-free loans

Access to Easit Network

Blue Light card discount

Free advice and counselling service

25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Experience with apprenticeship frameworks and standards.
• Strong understanding of compliance and provider management.
• Ability to monitor and report on apprenticeship schemes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee apprenticeship and qualification programmes.
• Create and manage the qualifications framework.
• Work with Learning and Development team to identify workforce needs.

Skills

Knowledge of apprenticeship criteria and funding rules

Experience managing end-to-end apprenticeship programmes

A passion for supporting learner success

Education

Level 3 or above in Learning & Development, Education or HR

Job description

Location: Lewes

This position is offered on a hybrid basis with a minimum 2 days per week in our Lewes office

Salary: £33,951 per year

Hours: 30 - 37 per week

What you’ll be doing:

Southdown is the largest not-for-profit provider of care, support, and housing in Sussex. We’ve been helping people access stable accommodation, mental health and care services since 1972, now counting over 900 people as part of our team.

We want all our colleagues to have the opportunity to grow and develop and are looking for someone with expertise in managing apprenticeships and qualifications. This is a newly created role so you will have the scope to shape and lead on our apprenticeship, qualifications and other professional development offer.

You’ll create the apprenticeship and qualifications framework and oversee the full lifecycle of individual's development on these schemes, from compliance and provider management, to monitoring and reporting. You’ll work with the wider Learning and Development team to identify our workforce development needs and ensure apprenticeships and qualifications are aligned with our business needs. You will also ensure that we maximise our Apprenticeship Levy as well as access other funding streams.

We welcome applications from those with experience in roles such as Apprenticeship Manager, Apprenticeship Programme Manager, Training Coordinator, Learning and Development Specialist, Talent Development Specialist, Talent Development Lead, Education and Training Manager, Skills Development Manager or Workforce Development Coordinator.

Perks and benefits:

• Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
• Interest‑free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
• Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
• Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high‑street vendors.
• Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
• 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.

Knowledge, skills and experience

What you’ll need for the role:

• Knowledge of apprenticeship criteria and funding rules, apprenticeship frameworks and standards
• Experience managing end‑to‑end apprenticeship and qualification programmes, from set up to completion
• A passion for supporting learner success and engagement

What would be nice:

• Level 3 or above in Learning & Development, Education or HR (or equivalent)
• Knowledge of learning and development requirements in mental health, learning disability, care and housing sectors would be helpful

Training:

Our award winning in‑house training team will help you to gain valuable qualifications, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex.

How to apply:

Please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and fill out our simple one-page application form.

The application closing date 3 December 2025. Please note, if we receive a large number of applications then this position may close before the advertised application closing date. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

About Southdown

Contact information:

Our online careers page has a list of helpful FAQs that you can view here. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with recruitment via email at [e-mail]

We are a Disability Confident Employer and are fully committed to supporting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and welcome applications from all candidates that meet our job specifications. If you feel there is a barrier that potentially prevents you from applying, do get in contact with us, as we are always happy to discuss (or arrange a discussion with the recruiting manager) to explore if any reasonable adjustments can be made to support your application.