Job Description:

Early Careers Manager

Bedfordshire | Up to £45k

We're working with an established, multi-site business who are investing in their future talent pipeline and looking for an Early Careers professional to take ownership of their apprenticeship programme. You'll be responsible for the full apprentice journey - from attracting and recruiting new talent, through training and development, to qualification and progression into permanent roles.

You'll have the opportunity to shape the programme, influence senior stakeholders and build strong relationships across the business and with external training partners. Please note: This role is based near Luton, and is full time in the office.

Key responsibilities

• Recruitment & workforce planning - identifying future skills needs and building an annual apprenticeship recruitment plan.
• Apprentice management - becoming the go-to person for apprentices, supporting their development, attendance, performance and wellbeing.
• Training & development - ensuring apprentices receive the right work experience, mentoring, college training and off-the-job learning.
• Provider management - building effective relationships with colleges and training providers and holding them accountable for delivery.
• Funding & budgets - managing apprenticeship funding, budgets, claims, grants and the apprenticeship service account.
• Progression - ensuring apprentices are supported through their qualifications and have a clear route into longer-term roles.
• Programme improvement - using data, feedback and insight to improve retention, completion and the overall apprentice experience.

You'll work closely with HR, Finance, operational leaders, managers and mentors, while also being the key link between the business and external training providers.

We're looking for someone who already understands the apprenticeship landscape and can hit the ground running.

You'll ideally have:

• Proven experience managing apprenticeships or early careers programmes.
• Strong knowledge of apprenticeship funding and administration.
• Experience managing colleges and training providers.
• Confidence managing budgets, claims, funding records and compliance requirements.
• A genuine interest in developing people and helping early-career talent succeed.
• The confidence to challenge managers and providers when standards or progress aren't where they need to be.
• Excellent organisation and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working across multiple sites or departments.

Construction, property maintenance or social housing experience would be a real advantage, particularly knowledge of trade apprenticeships and CITB funding.

This is a chance to take ownership of a programme that has a direct impact on the organisation's future workforce. Please apply online now.