Apprenticeship Progress Mentor

Role:                                     Apprenticeship Progress Mentor
Salary:                                  £23,493 per annum (£27,350 full time equivalent)

Contract Type:                  Permanent, Part Time

Hours:                                   21 hours per week

Location:                             Home Based (with travel to sites in Barnsley)

Closing Date:                     Sunday, 28th September 2025

About Us

Independent Training Services Ltd. and SmartStyle Training Ltd. (ITS) are national training providers. Whether you are looking for employability skills, apprenticeships or professional training courses, we consistently deliver quality vocational training and education from the classroom to the boardroom.

By bringing together our expertise in commercial training, workforce development and apprenticeships we are well-placed to make a real difference to individual students and businesses alike.

We provide quality training to students who are already employed or preparing to enter into their chosen profession. Our comprehensive portfolio includes accredited end-user IT, business and employability skills courses for individual students, alongside apprenticeships and workforce development for local, regional and national employers. These are delivered by our in-house team of experienced and qualified trainers online, at employer sites and through our network of training centres.

The Opportunity

You will play a key role in supporting our apprentices throughout their learning journey. You will provide tailored guidance and interventions to help each learner progress, ensuring their personal development, wellbeing, and career goals are effectively supported. By working closely with trainers, employers, and internal teams, you will help create a positive learning experience that enables apprentices to reach their full potential.

You will carry out wellbeing checks, deliver engaging personal and professional development sessions, and identify any barriers that may affect an apprentice’s success. Using a solutions-focused approach, you will motivate learners, build their confidence, and implement strategies that encourage progression. You will also promote apprentice voice by gathering feedback, organising enrichment activities, and supporting participation in events, awards, and industry opportunities.

You will take responsibility for monitoring progress across apprenticeship programmes, ensuring that data, attendance, and records are kept up to date. This includes coordinating with trainers on action plans, tracking end of programme requirements, and supporting with onboarding and End Point Assessments. Communication will be central to your role, as you will liaise with employers, parents, guardians, and external agencies to ensure apprentices receive the right level of support.

Alongside mentoring, you will contribute to the smooth running of the department by handling administrative tasks, preparing high-quality resources, and supporting key processes such as interviews and assessments. You will also uphold safeguarding standards, respond to learner needs, and signpost apprentices to appropriate internal or external services where necessary. Through your work, you will ensure apprentices are fully supported, engaged, and equipped to achieve their goals and progress in their chosen career pathway.

About You

You should be approachable, supportive, and genuinely committed to helping our apprentices succeed. You will need excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with learners, employers, and colleagues. As a natural mentor, you will be confident in motivating and guiding others, while remaining sensitive to individual needs and challenges.

You will need strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities such as monitoring progress, maintaining accurate records, and coordinating with different stakeholders. An eye for detail will be important, especially when auditing learner data, tracking attendance, or preparing reports. You should also feel confident using digital systems and be willing to learn new platforms to ensure accurate logging and monitoring of activity.

You must have a minimum of two years’ experience of working with young people in a relevant educational setting. You will also need experience of supporting students or individuals to develop and achieve within a school or college environment. In addition, you should be able to demonstrate experience of teaching, delivering tutorials, or providing pastoral care, as this will underpin your ability to guide apprentices effectively and deliver meaningful personal development opportunities.

You will be expected to balance empathy with professionalism, applying safeguarding practices effectively and knowing when to escalate concerns or refer apprentices to additional support. You should also be proactive in spotting learners at risk of falling behind and creative in developing strategies to help them progress.

An understanding of apprenticeship programmes, employer engagement, or careers guidance would be an advantage, but most importantly, you should bring a supportive attitude, resilience, and the ability to encourage learners to achieve their goals.

Required

·         Level 3 qualification or above.

·         Teaching qualification, or willingness to work towards Level 6 PGCE.

·         GCSE Maths and English (grade C/4 or Level 2 equivalent).

·         Minimum two years’ experience working with young people in education.

·         Experience supporting students to develop and achieve in a school or college.

·         Experience teaching, delivering tutorials, or providing pastoral support.

Reasons to Join Us

·         Generous 32 days annual leave entitlement

·         Company pension scheme

·         Free Level 1 Health Care Cover with Westfield Health

·         Considerable staff investment through funded CPD opportunities, regular staff development and training

·         Exclusive discounts and cashback for retail, dining and leisure

·         Discounts schemes for greener travel including Northern Rail, Trainline and Cycle to Work

·         Discounted college gym membership with onsite facilities

·         Supporting employee mental health through access to free counselling services and the Foundations App

·         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

Closing date for applications is Sunday, 28th September 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early depending on the level of interest.

Independent Training Services (ITS) 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. ITS 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.