Apprenticeship Learning & Development Practitioner

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service; Lewes; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is seeking an Apprenticeship Learning and Development Practitioner to lead, coordinate and improve apprenticeship provision across the Service. Hybrid working is available, and the role focuses on supporting the apprenticeship journey from onboarding to completion.

The post requires strong knowledge of apprenticeship standards, funding rules and compliance, along with excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Qualifications

• Experience of coordinating or managing apprenticeship and workforce development programmes.
• Strong knowledge of apprenticeship standards, funding rules and compliance requirements.
• Experience of supporting learners and monitoring progress to successful completion.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to analyse information, identify solutions and drive continuous improvement.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery and development of apprenticeship programmes across ESFRS.
• Manage and coordinate the full apprenticeship journey, from onboarding through to completion and achievement.
• Provide specialist advice on apprenticeship funding, levy requirements, quality assurance and compliance.
• Monitor learner progress, provide interventions where required and support both learners and managers to achieve successful outcomes.
• Lead on apprenticeship governance, audit readiness and inspection preparation, including supporting organisational readiness for Ofsted requirements.
• Analyse performance data and produce recommendations to improve participation, achievement and programme quality.
• Build strong relationships with training providers, awarding organisations and external partners.
• Promote inclusion, safeguarding, wellbeing and learner success throughout all apprenticeship activity.

Skills

Apprenticeship coordination

Funding/compliance knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Organisational skills

Job description

Apprenticeship Learning and Development Practitioner

People Services - Workforce Development

Location: East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Headquarters / Hybrid Working Available
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Salary: JF 3 per annum
Closing Date: 25/11/2026

Help Shape the Future Workforce of East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service

Every role at East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service plays a vital part in helping to keep our communities safe. As part of our People Services team, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact by developing the skills, knowledge and capability of our current and future workforce.

We're looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Apprenticeship Learning and Development Practitioner to lead, coordinate and continuously improve apprenticeship provision across the Service.

This is a unique opportunity to influence workforce development across a highly respected emergency service organisation, ensuring our apprentices receive outstanding support whilst helping the Service build a skilled, resilient and future-ready workforce.

About the Role

As our apprenticeship subject matter expert, you will:

• Lead the delivery and development of apprenticeship programmes across ESFRS.
• Manage and coordinate the full apprenticeship journey, from onboarding through to completion and achievement.
• Provide specialist advice on apprenticeship funding, levy requirements, quality assurance and compliance.
• Monitor learner progress, provide interventions where required and support both learners and managers to achieve successful outcomes.
• Lead on apprenticeship governance, audit readiness and inspection preparation, including supporting organisational readiness for Ofsted requirements.
• Analyse performance data and produce recommendations to improve participation, achievement and programme quality.
• Build strong relationships with training providers, awarding organisations and external partners.
• Promote inclusion, safeguarding, wellbeing and learner success throughout all apprenticeship activity.

What We're Looking For

You will bring:

• Experience of coordinating or managing apprenticeship and workforce development programmes.
• Strong knowledge of apprenticeship standards, funding rules and compliance requirements.
• Experience of supporting learners and monitoring progress to successful completion.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to analyse information, identify solutions and drive continuous improvement.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.

For an informal discussion of the role, please email Station Manager, [e-mail]

OUR PURPOSE, OUR VALUES AND OUR PRIORITIES

Our Service Purpose is: Reducing Risk, Saving Lives – Together.

We do this through our Service Priorities:

1. Delivering our community offer

2. Delivering our enabling offer

3. Achieving financial sustainability

4. Sustaining a high performing workforce

5. Improving service performance

Our Service Values support our purpose and priorities by making sure the way we operate is guided by strong principles:

We willingly accept ACCOUNTABILITY, taking responsibility for our actions and decisions.
We have PRIDE in the service we provide, striving to meet the needs of our communities.

We demonstrate PERSEVERANCE in the face of challenges, staying committed and resilient in everything we do.

We RESPECT our colleagues and members of the community.

We embrace ADAPTABILITY, responding positively to change and continuously seek to improve the way we work.

We show INTEGRITY in our work, being open and honest.

We act with SELFLESSNESS, recognising we are here to protect and support our communities. We foster a positive and inclusive culture where teamwork, mutual respect and a shared commitment to service are at the heart of everything we do.

We show EMPATHY to the community and our colleagues, treating everyone with kindness, compassion and understanding.

Diversity and Inclusion

We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve.
East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, (ESFRS), are committed to equality of opportunity for all job applicants and aims to select suitably qualified people based on their skills, abilities, experience, knowledge, qualifications and training.
For more information please read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement.

Safeguarding

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and suppliers to share this commitment.
ESFRS is a member of the Brighton & Hove and East Sussex Safeguarding Children’s Partnership and Safeguarding Adults Boards.
You can read our safeguarding statement here.

DBS and Non-Police Personnel Vetting

All roles at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service will be subject to either DBS checks (minimum standard level) or a Police vetting process (the latter for roles based at Joint Headquarters in Lewes). The check will take place for the preferred candidate at the end of the selection process, before a final offer of employment can be made. For more information about DBS and Vetting, please read our DBS and Vetting Policy.

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders

ESFRS are an Equal Opportunities Employer and therefore will consider ex-offenders for employment on their merits, (subject to the necessary DBS & Non-Police Personnel Vetting clearances required for the role). For more information please read our Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Statement.

Notes

Please note that recruitment processes may be withdrawn or varied at short notice due to the Services' Organisational Change policy.

Please note that on 1 April 2027, our employers will be the Sussex and Brighton Strategic Authority. This Authority replaces the current employer East Sussex Fire Authority and is part of the UK's Devolution programme.