Pre-apprenticeship Programme Lead

We are currently recruiting for a full-time Pre-apprenticeship Programme Lead. The role will oversee our brand-new pre-apprenticeship programme and will work with a range of internal and external partners and stakeholders to ensure the implementation of SOFEA's pre-apprenticeship programme. The role will also oversee the growth and development of the pre-apprenticeship programme in terms of new pre-apprenticeship placements and numbers on programme with clear alignment to career pathways for local young people.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Identify new local businesses who could be potential SOFEA pre-apprenticeship and employability partners providing pre-apprenticeship, work experience, volunteering opportunities, apprenticeships, and jobs to the young people on SOFEA's employability programmes.


• Business Development and account management - Generating initial interest with potential local businesses and scheduling regular meetings to provide support to businesses and identify additional opportunities to work with SOFEA.


• Networking - Attend a variety of networking events to identify and cultivate new prospects.


• Client engagement - Lead client meetings, both virtually and in person, to understand their requirements and deliver initial presentations.


• Pre-apprenticeship Briefings - Conduct briefings for pre-apprenticeships to learners, internal and external stakeholders.


• Engage with local schools, colleges and the internal SOFEA education programme to identify young people suitable for the SOFEA pre-apprenticeship programme.


• Ongoing development of the SOFEA pre-apprenticeship programme.


• Induct new participants into the warehouse in line with SOFEA policies, complete induction forms and provide protective clothing; hi vis waistcoat, gloves and boots.


• Support the work of the wider Employability Team.



• Have a caseload of participants that you will mentor and support with employability skills, including CV, and cover letter assistance, Job searches, Interview preparation, barrier mitigation, record keeping and capturing impact through case studies and testimonials.
  
  Experience of supporting people experiencing unemployment, and/or of supporting people to improve their employability - such as through education, training, employment development or volunteering - in a statutory or voluntary sector setting. Ideally with experience in an outreach approach in communities.


• Strong communication skills, oral and written, including the ability to present a positive image of the organisation to a range of audiences and to represent SOFEA at external meetings with partner agencies and other support workers.


• Good organisation skills.


• Ability to prioritise and deliver on a changing workload, sometimes with short deadlines.


• Ability to use initiative and be a self-starter.


• Ability to build rapport and confidence quickly with team members and members of the public.


• An empathetic and non-judgemental attitude to SOFEA beneficiaries and an understanding of their difficulties in entering employment.


• Ability to manage own time and caseload.


• A strong team-working approach with the aim of maintaining a positive and productive work environment.


• Ability to keep accurate records for purposes such as monitoring reports and employee supervision and support records


• Computer literacy, able to use Microsoft Office suite, databases and internet search engines.


• Commitment to equal opportunities.
  
  SOFEA is a registered charity founded in 2013 by our CEO, Richard Kennell and his wife Ruth, Director of People and Culture, who, after 20 years in education decided that they wanted to do something for the young people who didn't typically get on so well in school. At SOFEA we do what other providers can't, supporting young people in ways other providers don't.


It's why our partners, from schools and local authorities to the police and health services, work with us. Our mission is to enable the transformation of people's lives, and their communities, with a major focus on young people. We do this through our education, employability and wellbeing programmes as well as our large-scale food redistribution operation.

We are based in Didcot, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes; we are a growing organisation, small, but ambitious, and all of our staff love the fact that everyday they can have a real impact on peoples lives and the local community.

Here's what some of our staff say about working for SOFEA "I had previously struggled to find meaningful employment, but at SOFEA, I've found a setting where I can observe my efforts making tangible differences" and "SOFEA breaks the mould and challenges the status quo, resulting in real impact in the communities it works in and that is something that is great to be a part of!"

If you believe in treating all members of our community with equal compassion and respect, believe in the restorative benefits of education, work and social justice and refuse to accept any limitation on what people might achieve then we want to hear from you.

We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do.

Pulled from the full job description

• Casual dress


• Company pension


• Free parking


• On-site parking


• Sick pay, Salary - £27,000-£31,000


• Holiday allowance - 25 days (plus bank holidays)


• Free car parking on site


• Pension - Government Nest scheme


• Employee Assistance Programme


• Commitment to professional development


• Casual dress


• Sick pay


SOFEA is committed to Safeguarding our workforce. As such we follow a Safer Recruitment procedure, which means that successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, will undertake Safeguarding and Prevent training and that referees will be asked whether there is any reason why they should not work with children, young people, or vulnerable adults.