Quality Assurance Specialist 

Main Purpose of Role:

To directly support the Quality Assurance Manager in leading on the strategy for quality improvement and contribute to the design and development of the curriculum offers.

The successful candidate will be responsible for carrying out all quality assurance activities, ensuring that apprenticeship standards are delivered in accordance with Independent End Point Assessment Organisations,Awarding Bodies and the Education Inspection Framework.

Day to day, you will be part of a team that understands the organisations business strategy and its future capability needs in order to identify priorities across the organisation and support the creation of learning environments where Tutors (and in turn apprentices) can continuously develop to be their best.

Key Accountabilities:

• To support, motivate and develop Tutors to deliver outstanding teaching, learning and assessment to maximise apprentice progress and positive outcomes.
• Internal quality assurance activities to ensure best practice across delivery of all apprenticeship standards (Healthcare and professional services) including conducting regular Tutor observations of teaching and learning (OTLs) as per the Pier Training quality assurance strategy.
• Internal quality assurance activities to ensure that all Diploma related assessments meet the required standards as indicated by awarding organisations.
• Standardisation activities and providing guidance & support to Tutors to ensure that assessment practices are consistent across the organisation.
• Conduct all associated organisational or administrative work to facilitate the quality assurance cycle.
• Work with the SMT management team to support Tutors in ensuring timely completion of Diploma, Functional Skills and the overall apprenticeship standard including EPA.
• Lead on external quality assurance/awarding organisation visits where required.
• Identify areas for improvement in the delivery of apprenticeship standards, assessment practices and procedures and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to implement changes.
• Work with the Quality Assurance Manager (QAM) to co-ordinate the ongoing development of flexible learning solutions for apprentices.
• Work with the QAM to implement actions to address the recommendations of the annual self assessment report (SAR) and quality improvement plan (QIP)
• Provide support and guidance to apprentices as required.
• Support business development and operations where required to co-ordinate timely onboarding of apprentices.
• Consult with expertise in SEND to facilitate appropriate support for apprentices with SpLD.
• Conduct regular sampling of apprentice’s electronic portfolio to ensure the review/ILP and skills milestones tracker is completed, updated, and maintained by all Tutors.
• To function as an advocate (where required) in resolving problems between apprentices, employers, and parents (where applicable)
• To support the development and design of training materials/resources to ensure dynamic engaging teaching sessions across the sectors which will enable the apprentice to effectively progress, generate evidence against requirements and successfully achieve EPA.
• Undertake assessment and onboarding activities when and if required by the business.
• Attend internal team and other meetings as required including a monthly performance 121 with your line manager.
• Understand and advocate Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework and the importance of the key areas of delivery i.e. ‘Quality of Education’.
• Understand the Education and Skills Funding Agency minimum requirements for delivering apprenticeships.
• Be committed to understanding and adhering to Pier Training’s Equality and Diversity, Safeguarding and Prevent, Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• Deliver and assess (where required) assessment qualifications (TAQA), Diplomas and or apprenticeship standards to Pier staff.
• Facilitate effective Induction of new Tutors to the organisation.

General Duties:

• Ensure the quality standards and performance measures applying to the role are met and facilitate continuous improvements in all aspects of the post.
• Undergo any self-development and CPD activities as necessary for success in the role.
• Incorporate into the role, the philosophy, values, and behaviour stated in Pier Training’s mission and strategic plans.
• Function as an ambassador of Pier Training at all times whilst undertaking the role, particularly in the employers’ workplace. Positively promote Pier Training and its reputation at all times, referring all matters of apprentice and employer need to your line manager.
• ‘Signpost’ apprentices or employers (where required) to the appropriate resource to address specific welfare, counselling, and additional learning support matters. Follow up to ensure that appropriate action has taken place.
• Promote within Pier Training, a positive approach to security and discipline. Undertake any other responsibilities that senior management representative may from time to time require.
• Maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE:

• This job description is a guide to the work that you will initially be required to undertake. It may change from time to time, in consultation with you, to meet changing circumstances. It does not form part of your contract of employment.
• Appointment to this post is subject to Pier Training receiving a minimum of 2 satisfactory references covering 3 years of employment.
• Employees are expected to undertake mandatory and statutory training related to their role.
•  We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age, or sexual orientation. This is part of our commitment to equality and reflecting the diversity of our population.
• Pier Training is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020, and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (as below)
• A Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) will be completed for all successful applicants. DBS costs will be waived; however, it is a requirement that successful applicants must enrol for the DBS Update Service within two weeks. A small annual fee of £13 per year applies.

To find out more or for an informal discussion please contact Marie Woodward (Operations Manager) 07880 198003.

Pier Training receive a high number of applications and are not always able to respond to unsuccessful candidates. If you have not been contacted within 14 days, your application has been unsuccessful.

To apply please send your CV with a covering letter explaining what makes you a suitable candidate for this role at info@piertraining.co.uk