Head of Apprenticeship
Development and Quality
Salary Range: £42,567 – £50,605
(Starting salary subject to qualifications and experience)
40 Hours per week, 52 weeks per year
For full details and to apply to the role, please visit https://rmt.org/careers/. A completed application is required for consideration of this role (Closing date 9am, Monday 20th July 2026)
This role requires fully onsite working, please ensure you have considered this and your daily commute ahead of applying.
Are you an experienced apprenticeship leader with a passion for quality, innovation and meaningful education?
Emerson College is seeking an exceptional Head of Apprenticeship Development & Quality to establish, shape and grow our apprenticeship provision. This is a rare opportunity to combine strategic leadership, quality assurance expertise and educational innovation within a unique learning community inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner and the principles of Practical Skills Therapeutic Education (PSTE).
As part of Ruskin Mill Land Trust, Emerson College offers a distinctive environment where craft, land-based learning, personal development and vocational excellence come together.
As our Head of Apprenticeship Development & Quality, you will provide strategic leadership for the development, implementation and continuous improvement of apprenticeship programmes. You will ensure excellence in programme design, quality assurance, compliance and learner outcomes while developing innovative apprenticeship pathways that reflect the unique ethos of Emerson College.
You will:
- Lead the strategic growth and development of apprenticeship provision.
- Develop new partnerships and business opportunities.
- Drive quality assurance, compliance and continuous improvement across all programmes.
- Lead Self-Assessment Reports (SARs) and Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs).
- Ensure compliance with Ofsted, ESFA funding rules and apprenticeship standards.
- Monitor performance, learner achievement, employer satisfaction and programme impact.
- Work collaboratively with curriculum teams, employers, EPA organisations and external stakeholders.
- Champion high standards of Teaching, Learning and Assessment.
- Oversee effective use of e-portfolio systems and apprenticeship data.
We are looking for a strategic and inspirational professional who can combine commercial awareness, quality expertise and educational leadership.
You will have:
- A proven track record of leading and growing apprenticeship provision within Further Education or work-based learning.
- Strong experience in quality assurance, auditing and improvement planning.
- Experience of curriculum design, programme development and teaching, learning and assessment.
- Excellent knowledge of apprenticeship standards, funding rules, EPA requirements and Ofsted expectations.
- Outstanding stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
- Confidence working with employers, regulators and educational partners.
- Strong digital skills, including experience with e-portfolio and MIS systems.
- A commitment to learner-centred education and continuous improvement
- Ideally a teaching qualification (e.g., PGCE, DET) or assessor/IQA qualifications
This is more than an apprenticeship leadership role. You will be joining a vibrant educational community dedicated to helping individuals flourish personally and professionally through experiential learning, inner-led development and meaningful vocational practice. You will play a pivotal role in building a high-quality apprenticeship offer that is both innovative and transformative
Emerson College has recently joined Ruskin Mill Land Trust which is a sister charity to Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd drawing their inspiration from common insights – Ruskin, Morris and Steiner. RMT (and its subsidiaries) operates a number of schools, colleges and provisions around the country, utilising practical land and craft activities to support the development of work and life skills in young people with autistic spectrum conditions and other learning differences.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk of harm and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Level Disclosure as well as a medical check, references, evidence of qualifications, plus verification of the right to work in the UK.
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