Adult & HE Engagement Coordinator

Adult & HE Engagement Coordinator
Department: Student Services
Salary: £25,920 to £27,350 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent Full time 37 hours per week

Reference: REC2242 | Closing Date: Wednesday, 10th September 2025

The Opportunity

Based in our friendly Student Services team, you will play a key role in helping our adult and higher education learners get the very best from their time at Barnsley College. You will work flexibly around our learners’ commitments, making sure they can access the right support whenever they need it. By helping to remove barriers to learning, you will support our students to progress, stay on track, and achieve their long-term goals.

In this learner-facing role, you will provide tailored information, advice and guidance across a wide range of areas, from career planning and Higher Education applications to financial support and wellbeing services. The guidance you provide will be central to ensuring that our learners feel supported and confident in making informed decisions about their future. Whether you are helping a student explore their next steps after completing their studies, advising on funding options, or providing practical support with university applications, your role will be crucial in empowering our learners to progress with clarity and confidence.

You will also deliver engaging initiatives and workshops that build confidence in areas such as financial literacy, digital skills, and personal development. By making these sessions relevant and accessible, you will give our learners the tools to overcome challenges and make the most of their opportunities. Alongside this, you will encourage participation in enrichment activities that boost employability and enhance the overall student experience.

Working closely with curriculum teams, recruitment staff, careers services, finance, and wellbeing colleagues, you will help create a joined-up approach to supporting our adult and Higher Education learners. By monitoring engagement and outcomes, you will contribute to the College’s commitment to widening participation and making Higher Education more accessible and inclusive.

This is a great opportunity to support our learners balancing study with work, family, and other commitments. Your guidance can give them the confidence to move forward, and by helping them access advice, financial support, and progression opportunities, you’ll play a key role in shaping their success.

About You

You will be approachable, supportive, and motivated by the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of our adult and Higher Education learners. You understand the unique challenges that adult learners often face, such as balancing study with work, family and other responsibilities, and you are able to respond with empathy, practical solutions, and encouragement.

You will bring experience of delivering advice and guidance to adult learners in education, alongside a strong background in coordinating learner engagement, support, or outreach initiatives. You will also have experience working with external partners such as employers, education providers and community groups, and you will use these connections to create positive opportunities for learners.

Your communication style will be clear, thorough and adaptable, whether you are supporting our learners one-to-one, delivering workshops, or producing written materials. You will be confident in explaining complex information in a way that feels accessible and supportive. Alongside this, your excellent organisation and planning skills will enable you to manage multiple projects, events and activities effectively.

You will have the ability to build trust with adult learners and provide tailored support that reflects their individual needs and goals. With an awareness of the barriers that can prevent adults from engaging in education, you will work flexibly and creatively to remove obstacles and open up opportunities for participation and progression.

Collaboration will be central to your approach. You will work closely with curriculum staff, careers teams, finance, wellbeing services and external partners, making sure that every learner has access to the right support. Above all, you will be committed to widening participation and empowering learners to succeed.

Below is a list of some of the key skills, qualifications and experience we are seeking for this exciting opportunity.

Required

·         Level 4 qualification in a relevant subject area.

·         Level 2 qualifications (or equivalent) in literacy and numeracy.

·         Experience in delivering advice and guidance to adult learners within an education setting.

·         Experience in coordinating learner engagement, support, or outreach initiatives.

·         Experience of working collaboratively with external partners, including employers, education providers, and community organisations.

Reasons to join us

• We offer substantial annual leave entitlement (Up to 47 days per year including bank and public holidays)
• Holiday purchase scheme to buy additional annual leave days
• Local Government Pension Scheme – with a generous 19.2% employer contribution! 
• We invest in our people through funded CPD opportunities, regular staff development training and paid volunteering days
• Career advancement opportunities with tailored support for staff to progress 
• Free Barnsley College courses to support your professional and personal development (subject to approval)
• 24/7 access to same day appointments with a GP
• Exclusive discounts and cashback for retail, dining and leisure as part of YouatWork
• Access to health cash plans as members of the Westfield Health Scheme or Health Shield
• Discounted college gym membership with onsite facilities
• Supporting employee mental health through access to free counselling services and the Foundations App
• Discounts schemes for greener travel including Northern Rail, Trainline and Cycle to Work
• Free Microsoft Office 365 for personal use on up to five machines
• Access to discounted hair and beauty therapies at our onsite salon
• On site subsidised Starbucks and food outlets offering a variety of dining options
• Free breakfast provided daily for all staff members
• Our shared purpose – We believe in transforming the lives of both our learners and staff

The Barnsley College Advantage

When you join us, you can expect to benefit from The Barnsley College Advantage. This is the advantage of:

·         Being supported to achieve your personal and professional goals

·         A range of flexible working opportunities

·         Autonomy, Empowerment and Accountability

·         Short- and Long-Term development commitments

·         Access to experiencing work in a range of areas

·         Working in a Value and Behaviour led organisation

·         Reward and Recognition

·         Having your voice heard at every level

·         Comprehensive Wellbeing Support

Closing date for applications is Wednesday, 10th September 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early depending on the level of interest.

Barnsley College is committed to creating a dynamic and diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all candidates regardless of their gender, disability, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or faith. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure from DBS.

Please be aware that it is a Criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.