Vocational Trainer – Supported Learning

Essex County Council; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex County Council’s Adult Community Learning (ACL) is hiring a Vocational Trainer - Supported Learning in Chelmsford. You will deliver inclusive teaching and assessment for adult learners with additional learning needs, helping them build confidence, independence and employability skills in a supportive environment.

You’ll plan lessons, adapt approaches to diverse learning styles, and collaborate with services and partners to create progression opportunities.

Qualifications

• Teaching, training, coaching or supporting learners.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good digital and ICT skills.
• Experience working with learners with additional learning needs (SEND) or in inclusive settings.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality teaching, learning and assessment within Supported Learning programmes face-to-face.
• Develop lesson plans, schemes of work and learning materials meeting individual learner needs.
• Prepare learners for assessment and support them to achieve positive outcomes and recognised achievements.
• Adapt teaching approaches to remove barriers and maximise learner participation.
• Use diagnostic and formative assessment to monitor progress and provide feedback.
• Maintain accurate learner attendance, progress and achievement records.
• Promote safeguarding, Prevent, equality, diversity and inclusion in all delivery.
• Collaborate with colleagues, support services, employers and community partners to create progression opportunities.
• Contribute to quality improvement activities and maintain up-to-date teaching practice.

Skills

Teaching experience

Communication skills

ICT skills

Experience with SEND

Independent and collaborative work

Safeguarding & inclusion

Education

Teaching qualification (AET/CET/DET/PGCE) or equivalent

Job description

About The Role

Vocational Trainer - Supported Learning

Permanent, Full Time

£34,668 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Community-based worker

Closing Date: 4th November 2026

Help learners develop confidence, independence and skills for work and life

At Adult Community Learning (ACL), we believe everyone should have the opportunity to learn, grow and achieve their potential.

We're looking for a passionate and inclusive Vocational Trainer - Supported Learning to deliver high-quality teaching, learning and assessment for adult learners with a range of additional learning needs. You'll play an important role in helping learners develop confidence, independence, employability skills and progression opportunities in a supportive and engaging environment.

As part of Essex County Council, ACL is the largest provider of adult learning in Essex, supporting thousands of learners each year to gain valuable life skills, achieve qualifications and reach their personal goals.

What You'll Be Doing

You’ll deliver engaging and inclusive learning experiences that support learners to develop practical, personal and employability skills.

You will:

• Deliver high-quality teaching, learning and assessment within Supported Learning programmes face-to-face.
• Develop lesson plans, schemes of work and learning materials that meet individual learner needs and programme objectives.
• Prepare learners for assessment and support them to achieve positive outcomes and recognised achievements where appropriate.
• Adapt teaching approaches and learning activities to remove barriers and maximise learner participation.
• Use diagnostic and formative assessment methods to monitor progress and provide constructive feedback.
• Maintain accurate learner attendance, progress and achievement records using ACL systems.
• Promote safeguarding, Prevent, equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of delivery.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, support services, employers and community partners to create progression opportunities.
• Contribute to quality improvement activities and maintain up-to-date teaching practice and vocational knowledge.

We're looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about supporting learners with additional needs to achieve their goals.
• Can create positive, inclusive and learner-centred learning environments.
• Understands how to adapt teaching to meet a variety of learning styles and support needs.
• Has excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Believes in empowering learners to develop confidence, independence and life skills.
• Is committed to delivering high-quality learner experiences and outcomes.

Essential

What you'll bring

• Experience of teaching, training, coaching or supporting learners.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good digital and ICT skills.
• Experience working with learners with additional learning needs, SEND, or within inclusive educational settings.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable

• A recognised teaching qualification (AET, CET, DET, PGCE or equivalent), or willingness to work towards one.
• Experience within adult learning, community learning or further education.
• Knowledge of RARPA and learner progress tracking.
• Experience supporting learners to achieve accredited and non‑accredited outcomes.
• Experience using technology to support teaching, learning and assessment.

If you're passionate about helping learners build confidence, independence and the skills they need to succeed in everyday life, further learning and employment, we'd love to hear from you.

What to expect

Our recruitment process is made up of two stages. The first stage is a:

30min Micro Teach Presentation, this will be in‑person where you have the opportunity to showcase your teaching approach and subject expertise. Successful …

1-hour Competency and Behavioural‑Based Interview, allowing us to learn more about your experience, skills, and how you align with our values and the requirements of the role.

Why join ACL?

• Make a meaningful difference to learners and local communities.
• Be part of the largest provider of adult learning in Essex.
• Access ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
• Work within a supportive and collaborative team.
• Benefit from Essex County Council's excellent employee benefits package.
• Help transform lives through learning.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we are dedicated to making a positive difference for residents, communities and businesses across the county. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In March 2026, Greater Essex was accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email [e-mail]