Training Academy Leader

Branta Consulting Limited; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Branta Consulting Limited is seeking a visionary Training Academy Lead to launch and grow a state-of-the-art technical Training Academy. You will translate a 3-year people strategy into an active apprenticeship hub, multi-skill engineer development, and leadership succession.

You will run the academy as a commercially viable space, establishing high-value partnerships with manufacturers, local colleges, and external engineering firms, while delivering structured career pathways and mentoring

Qualifications

• Proven track record as Training Academy lead or equivalent in engineering or utilities.
• Experience designing competency frameworks and career ladders.
• Commercial and operational mindset balancing training calendars with external revenue streams.
• Familiarity with building services trades (HVAC, Electrical, Gas, Renewables) advantageous.
• Full UK driving licence, right to work in the UK, and ability to pass DBS screening.

Responsibilities

• Strategy & Academy Delivery: Build, launch, and direct the Academy from year-one to full maturity, with structured career pathways and mentoring.
• Upskilling & Internal Talent: Audit engineering capabilities and design upskilling programmes to boost first-time fix rates and promotions.
• Apprenticeships & Education Partnerships: Collaborate with local colleges/providers to co-develop blended vocational pathways within regulatory rules.
• Manufacturer & B2B Engagement: Partner with equipment manufacturers to secure in-house training and monetise the facility.
• Facility & Commercial Operations: Manage workshop scheduling, asset investments, and explore on-site ACS gas assessment centre options.

Skills

Proven Track Record

Programme Design

Commercial Mindset

Technical Breadth

Compliance & DBS

Job description

Branta is exclusively seeking a visionary Training Academy Lead to spearhead the launch and growth of a dedicated, state-of-the-art technical Training Academy.

In this pivotal role, you will bridge strategic talent planning with operational execution- transforming a 3-year people strategy into an active hub for apprenticeship pipelines, multi-skill engineer development, and leadership succession. Simultaneously, you will run the physical academy as a commercially viable space, establishing high-value partnerships with industry manufacturers, local colleges, and external engineering firms.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Academy Delivery: Build, launch, and direct the Academy from year-one setup through to full maturity, embedding structured career pathways, mentoring frameworks, and succession plans.
• Upskilling & Internal Talent: Audit existing engineering capabilities across Gas, Electrical, AC/Renewables, and BEMS; design tailored upskilling programmes that improve first-time fix rates, boost retention, and drive internal promotions.
• Apprenticeships & Education Partnerships: Collaborate with local colleges and independent training providers to co-develop blended vocational pathways and portfolio assessments in full compliance with regulatory benchmarks.
• Manufacturer & B2B Engagement: Partner with leading equipment manufacturers to secure certified in-house training for internal teams while monetising the facility through commercial hire and independent engineer courses.
• Facility & Commercial Operations: Act as the general manager for the physical academy- managing workshop scheduling, asset investments, tooling, and exploring avenues to establish an on-site ACS gas assessment centre.

What We Are Looking For

• Proven Track Record: Experience as a Training Academy Manager, Apprenticeship Coordinator, or Technical Training Lead within building services, engineering, utilities, or vocational education.
• Programme Design: Background in creating competency frameworks, structured career ladders, and managing college/provider apprenticeship schemes.
• Commercial & Operational Mindset: Comfortable balancing internal training calendars with commercial revenue generation through external facility hire and course delivery.
• Technical Breadth: Familiarity with building services trades (HVAC, Electrical, Mechanical, Gas, Renewables) is highly advantageous.
• Compliance & Essentials: Full UK Driving Licence, Right to Work in the UK, and ability to pass standard DBS screening.