Apprenticeship Technical Trainer: Software Development

The opportunity 

We’re looking for an experienced, talented and motivated technical trainer to join our Apprenticeship Team to lead on delivering our higher level (Level 4) digital apprenticeship programme in Software Development. 

The post holder will be required to successfully deliver interactive and engaging training, aligned to the relevant apprenticeship standards.  All content and activities should continually meet the needs of employers and individuals. This is to be in line with MD policies and procedures and Awarding Organisation, Ofsted, Education & Skills Funding Agency, and any other relevant bodies, requirements.

Job title: Apprenticeship Technical Trainer: Software Development

Type: Full time (we will consider part-time or job-share arrangements for the right candidate)

Salary: £39,000 - £48,000, depending on experience 

Responsible for: Teaching on our higher level digital apprenticeship pathways

Reports to: Programme Delivery Manager and Technical Lead

Works closely with: Programme Delivery Manager, Skills Coach and Curriculum Lead, learners and our employer partners. 

Location/travel: The post holder will be based in Manchester at our office based on Oxford Road. Hybrid/flexible working available. 

Start date: As soon as possible. We reserve the right to remove the advert should an excellent candidate be identified before this date so early applications are recommended.

Main responsibilities 

• Curriculum development in collaboration with the team and informed by MD industry partners 
• Design and deliver engaging and interactive training units in your allocated area, deploying both face-to-face and remote delivery, and ensuring teaching style and learning materials are differentiated for a range of abilities and prior experience.
• Create and mark assessments using a range of up-to-date assessment methods which align with industry needs and/or fully prepare apprentices for End Point Assessment.
• Provide timely and constructive feedback to apprentices on their progress and provide additional support where necessary - liaising with the curriculum lead and skills coach.
• Take into account the starting points and on-programme progress of apprentices, and adapt your training accordingly.
• Maintain records on our LMS/systems. 
• Work collaboratively to ensure that individualised support programmes are in place for learners from diverse backgrounds.
• Adapting, developing and maintaining high quality teaching materials.
• Ensure the content you are teaching aligns to the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours of the relevant apprenticeships you are teaching on.
• Ensure the content you are teaching is aligned to industry needs and standards, endorsed by our employer partners. 
• Ensuring and fostering an inclusive and respectful learning environment. 

Other Responsibilities

• Get involved in the design and delivery of other organisational projects, outreach work, and apprenticeship information sessions as required.
• Take on-board feedback from apprentices, employers, peers and senior leaders to continuously improve your teaching and help apprentices learn better.
• As part of the wider teaching team to contribute to curriculum review meetings, QIP and SAR plans as required.
• Be responsible for your own professional development and continuous learning. 
• Support the wider organisational delivery of the annual Digital Skills Festival as required. 

Person Specification 

Essential:

• EITHER: Professional experience in e.g. software development, data analysis or business analysis (multiple strands is beneficial) 
• AND/OR Degree or equivalent in a technical subject (Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent/relevant with demonstrable use of technology)
• Substantial demonstrable teaching or skills development experience.
• Proficiency in relevant technical training 
• Experience of course design and delivery
• Experience of academic assessment
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Evidence of and ability to keep up to date with the latest skills, industry and educational updates/changes in your allocated area
• Ability communicate effectively with both students and industry
• Passion for developing people
• Ability to create and deliver inclusive learning environments

Desirable

• A teaching qualification (e.g. PGCE)
• Experience of apprenticeship technical training 
• Experience using remote learning tools would be an advantage
• Knowledge of apprenticeship frameworks and standards
• Post-graduate qualification in a technical subject or equivalent experience
• Commercial knowledge, experience and understanding of industry, including training needs

Personal Qualities, Aptitudes and Skills

• A commitment to Manchester Digital’s mission and values
• An inspiring communicator and facilitator with a strong interest in what good teaching looks like.
• A passion for sharing your knowledge and supporting others to learn effectively
• Strong collaborative working skills. 
• Excellent time management, organisational and planning skills.

Safeguarding

Manchester Digital is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The post holder will be subject to enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and references will be sought from previous employers prior to commencing employment.

We have a clear code of conduct and safeguarding and prevent policy and procedures to support and protect learners, employees and volunteers. 

Equal opportunities

Manchester Digital is committed to increasing diversity in the sector and encourages applications from underrepresented groups, including women, individuals from different ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

Manchester Digital recognises that equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity are integral to its strengths. The following principles apply in respect of the organisations commitment to equality and diversity:

• To provide and promote equality of opportunity in all areas of its work and activity;
• To recognise and develop the diversity of skills and talent within its current and potential community;
• To ensure that all employees and prospective employees of the organisation are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential without receiving any unjustified discrimination or unfavourable treatment on grounds such as age, disability, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender reassignment, trans status, socio-economic status or any other irrelevant distinction;
• To provide and promote a positive working, learning, and social environment which is free from prejudice, discrimination and any forms of harassment, bullying or victimisation;
• To promote good relations between individuals from different groups.

We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and experience levels. While formal qualifications are not mandatory, a demonstrated ability to fulfil the role and a positive attitude are highly valued.

Applicants with disabilities 

Manchester Digital is keen to increase the number of disabled people it employs. We therefore encourage applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If you have special needs in relation to your application please contact our recruitment team: careers@manchesterdigital.com 

Right to Work

Please note that Manchester Digital does not offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the legal right to work and reside in the UK.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday per year
• Workplace pension
• Hybrid/flexible working
• Quarterly team activities 

Working week

Our team currently works Monday to Friday, 9am - 5:30pm and Friday 9am - 5pm. 

Our flexible working policy incorporates two fixed days working from our Manchester office (Tuesday and Thursday) with the flexibility to be able to work remotely on the other 3 days. Subject to training delivery needs. 

How to apply

Please email your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for this role to careers@manchesterdigital.com    

The Manchester Digital recruitment process will consist of 4 stages:

• Stage 1: An initial review of your application against our role criteria. In addition to sending us your CV, we kindly ask you to send us a motivation letter telling us what excites you about this position, outlining your suitability for this role.  We will not consider applications where our full application process has not been followed.
• Stage 2: A competency based interview
• Stage 3: A micro teach 
• Stage 4: A final stage interview 

Interviews will be held as soon as we have enough suitable candidates. We reserve the right to remove the advert should an excellent candidate be identified before this date so early applications are recommended.

Please note that the interview, assessment and selection process will be undertaken in conjunction with one of our industry partners (employers). 

Polite note

Recruiters are kindly requested not to contact us at this stage. Direct applications only, please.

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About Manchester Digital 

Manchester Digital. Digital Growth for Good. 

Manchester Digital, the largest independent trade body for the digital and technology sector in the North West. Established for nearly 20 years, we have around 500 digital and technology businesses in our membership, including Auto Trader, GCHQ, BBC, On the Beach and BT, who are committed to working with us to deliver relevant and impactful digital skills training and careers insights programmes with schools, colleges and local people  across Greater Manchester. 

As well as being a cohesive voice for the region’s industry and ensuring that its views are represented at a local and national government level, the organisation also galvanises the power of its network and takes direct action to solve specific issues and barriers impacting the sector’s growth.

Manchester Digital is renowned for the employer-led approach it has taken to solving the current skills gap. Each year we run a 5-day skills festival that connects over 150 businesses and 2000 school, college and university students and career changers to bridge the gap between industry and education and industry aligned upskilling.

We spearhead Digital Futures and Digital Her, school, college and career changer outreach programmes to support access and visibility of opportunities to underrepresented and marginalised groups reaching thousands of young people and careers .  

In 2016, we became an independent apprenticeship training provider as a direct call to action from the employers we represent. Since then we’ve developed Manchester Digital’s Apprenticeship Programme, a specialist independent provision offering truly accessible pathways into careers in technology. Our provision is aligned to the Digital Skills Audit, our annual research into areas of need within and across the ecosystem.

The three higher level apprenticeship pathways we currently offer are: 

• Software Development 
• Data Analyst 
• Business Analyst 

Find out more about who we are and what we do: www.manchesterdigital.com and specifically the Talent and Skills work we do here: www.manchesterdigital.com/talent-and-skills