Apprenticeships & Early Careers Lead

Stepnell; Rugby; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

7% pension contribution

Annual leave increments with service

Employee referral scheme

Comprehensive health coverage

Flexible start finish times

Car allowance or company car

Job summary

Stepnell is seeking an Early Careers Specialist to lead and grow our apprenticeship and early careers programmes across multiple sites. You will shape the learner journey from attraction and recruitment through to qualification and progression into permanent roles.

You will partner with the People Team, Finance, and site leaders to drive programme improvements using data and feedback, ensuring high-quality delivery and alignment with the wider People Strategy.

Qualifications

• Experience managing apprenticeships and other early careers programmes across multiple sites or departments.
• Strong knowledge of apprenticeship funding, administration, budgets, claims, funding records, compliance requirements, and the apprenticeship service account.
• Demonstrated experience managing and holding colleges, universities, and external training providers accountable for delivery.
• Excellent organisation and communication skills with the confidence to collaborate with, influence, and challenge managers and external partners.
• A genuine passion for developing people and supporting early-career talent through to qualification and career progression.
• Previous experience within the construction industry, particularly knowledge of degree apprenticeships and CITB funding, is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Recruitment and workforce planning for apprentices and trainees.
• Act as the main point of contact for apprentices and trainees, supporting their ongoing development, attendance, performance, and wellbeing.
• Ensure apprentices receive the right work experience, mentoring, formal training, and off-the-job learning.
• Build and manage effective relationships with colleges, universities, and training providers, holding them accountable for high-quality delivery.
• Oversee apprenticeship funding, budgets, claims, grants, CITB funding, and the apprenticeship service account.
• Ensure apprentices and trainees are fully supported through their qualifications with a clear route into permanent roles.
• Utilise data, feedback, and insights to improve retention, qualification completion rates, and the apprentice experience.
• Build strong relationships across multiple sites and departments, with managers and providers accountable for progress.

Skills

Apprenticeship programmes

Funding & compliance

Provider management

Stakeholder management

People development

Construction industry knowledge

Job description

Stepnell is seeking an Early Careers Specialist to lead and grow our apprenticeship and early careers programmes across multiple sites. You will shape the learner journey from attraction and recruitment through to qualification and progression into permanent roles.

You will partner with the People Team, Finance, and site leaders to drive programme improvements using data and feedback, ensuring high-quality delivery and alignment with the wider People Strategy.