Head of Apprenticeships

National Skills Agency; Liverpool City Region; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

National Skills Agency Ltd is seeking an experienced Head of Apprenticeships to provide strategic leadership and operational management of its apprenticeship provision in the Northwest. The role focuses on driving programme quality, learner achievement and employer engagement while ensuring compliance with DfE funding rules and Ofsted requirements.

You will lead delivery teams, develop apprenticeship programmes, manage partnerships with employers and monitor contract performance, safeguarding,

Qualifications

• Minimum five years' apprenticeship management experience.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Assessor or IQA qualification (A1, TAQA, CAVA, V1 or equivalent).
• Proven experience leading apprenticeship provision and managing delivery teams.
• Strong track record of improving learner achievement, retention and timely completion.
• Experience developing apprenticeship programmes and managing employer partnerships.
• Comprehensive knowledge of DfE funding rules, compliance, ILR and Ofsted requirements.
• Experience leading curriculum development, quality assurance and inspection readiness.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the apprenticeship strategy, aligned with employer demand and regional skills priorities.
• Lead curriculum planning, programme development and continuous improvement across apprenticeship standards.
• Ensure compliance with DfE Apprenticeship Funding Rules, including eligibility, off-the-job training and evidence requirements.
• Maintain accurate ILR records, funding assurance and audit readiness.
• Drive quality assurance and ensure provision meets Ofsted EIF expectations.
• Lead and develop delivery teams, including tutors, assessors, skills coaches and curriculum leads.
• Build strong employer partnerships to support recruitment, programme design and workplace learning.
• Monitor learner achievement, retention, timely completion, EPA success and overall contract performance.
• Oversee safeguarding, Prevent, British Values and learner support arrangements.
• Lead self‑assessment, quality improvement planning and staff development.

Skills

Apprenticeship management

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Curriculum planning

Quality assurance

Data analysis

Education

Degree-level qualification

Assessor/IQA qualification

Job description

Job Title: Head of Apprenticeships

Location: Hybrid – One day per week in Liverpool

Salary: £55,000–£60,000

About the role:

Our client is seeking an experienced Head of Apprenticeships to provide strategic leadership and operational management of its apprenticeship provision.

The successful Head of Apprenticeships will drive programme quality, learner achievement, employer engagement and business growth, ensuring all provision meets DfE funding requirements, Ofsted expectations and employer needs.

Essential experience and qualifications as Head of Apprenticeships:

• Minimum five years' apprenticeship management experience.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Assessor or IQA qualification (A1, TAQA, CAVA, V1 or equivalent).
• Proven experience leading apprenticeship provision and managing delivery teams.
• Strong track record of improving learner achievement, retention and timely completion.
• Experience developing apprenticeship programmes and managing employer partnerships.
• Comprehensive knowledge of DfE funding rules, compliance, ILR and Ofsted requirements.
• Experience leading curriculum development, quality assurance and inspection readiness.

Key responsibilities:

1. Develop and deliver the apprenticeship strategy, aligned with employer demand and regional skills priorities.
2. Lead curriculum planning, programme development and continuous improvement across apprenticeship standards.
3. Ensure compliance with DfE Apprenticeship Funding Rules, including eligibility, off-the-job training and evidence requirements.
4. Maintain accurate ILR records, funding assurance and audit readiness.
5. Drive quality assurance and ensure provision meets Ofsted EIF expectations.
6. Lead and develop delivery teams, including tutors, assessors, skills coaches and curriculum leads.
7. Build strong employer partnerships to support recruitment, programme design and workplace learning.
8. Monitor learner achievement, retention, timely completion, EPA success and overall contract performance.
9. Oversee safeguarding, Prevent, British Values and learner support arrangements.
10. Lead self‑assessment, quality improvement planning and staff development.

Desirable experience and qualifications as Head of Apprenticeships:

1. Teaching qualification (AET, CET, DET, PGCE or equivalent) and/or leadership qualification (ILM/CMI).
2. Experience with apprenticeship MIS systems, EPAOs and end‑point assessment processes.
3. Experience across priority sectors such as digital, health, construction or business services.
4. Knowledge of regional skills strategies, SAR/QIP processes and innovative delivery models.

Skills and personal attributes:

1. Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
2. Excellent organisational, analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with confidence using performance data.
3. A proactive, collaborative and resilient approach, with a commitment to high‑quality teaching, learner welfare and continuous improvement.

Additional requirements:

• Willingness to travel to employer and training locations across the region.
• Willingness to undertake an enhanced DBS check.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.

Paul Feldman is the National Skills Agency Data Protection Officer. Your data will be stored until notice is given by you for it to be removed. Our Data Protection Policy will be forwarded to you on request. As we get a high number of applications we may be unable to give feedback to unsuccessful candidates. We will retain your details to keep you informed of other opportunities. National Skills Agency Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy and is an Equal Opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all backgrounds