Degree Apprenticeship Workplace Reviewer, Engineering

The Nuclear Skills Academy (NSA) has been developed by Rolls-Royce Submarines in partnership with the University of Derby to sustain nuclear capability within the UK’s submarines programme, by creating a pipeline of new talent into the sector. It is now in its third year of delivery and has a dedicated facility in Derby which has teaching facilities and extensive workshops for the education of apprenticeships at levels 3 to 6 in engineering and business.  

The School of Engineering, which is part of the College of Science and Engineering has a wide range of courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and apprenticeships, in manufacturing, materials science, civil engineering, aerospace and nuclear engineering. We have approximately 600 apprentices studying with companies based in the Midlands and North of the UK.  

The College of Science and Engineering is based at our Markeaton Street campus in Derby, and the academic elements of the Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer Degree Apprenticeship is delivered in the teaching facilities at Markeaton Street, whilst technical training is delivered at the NSA in Year 1.  

This role is employed by University of Derby but works in partnership with Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd. Due to the nature of work that Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd conducts and the protection of certain assets, some roles within the Nuclear Skills Academy (NSA) require post-holders to hold a Security Check (SC) clearance.

This role does not currently require SC clearance, and this will not be a condition of appointment to this role. However, please be aware that there may be a future requirement for the successful candidate/s to undertake a SC check should any change in circumstances render this necessary due to development of the NSA over the coming years.

Due to the nature of work that Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd conducts and the protection of certain assets a person must be a UK national or in MoD approved cases a Dual National from a non-ITAR country.

You will be based at the NSA and Markeaton Street, and will be part of a team of staff of academics, tripartite reviewers and managers who deliver the Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer Degree Apprenticeship for Rolls- Royce. You may be asked to carry out tripartite reviews in Rolls-Royce facilities.  

As a Degree Apprenticeship Workplace Reviewer, you will arrange and conduct tripartite reviews with individual apprentices and their employer representatives. Integration between academic and professional learning is a key feature of the Nuclear Science and Nuclear Engineer Degree Apprenticeship and it supports apprentices’ success in their degree programme. 

You will organise tripartite visits with Rolls-Royce and apprentices to ensure the implementation of quality reviews and assessment of off and on-the-job evidence for audit using an e-portfolio. You will act as a personal professional academic tutor for apprentices  and will need to engage actively to support learners who have disclosed a need for additional support. You will also support apprentices to prepare for their End Point Assessment. 

The ideal candidate will have experience of working in a relevant engineering sector and with apprentices and employers. You will be able to work flexibly to arrange online and face-to-face meetings and complete appropriate administrative for compliance to deadline

You will work collaboratively with both academic staff and the Apprenticeship Hub at the University to ensure systems and process are adhered to and that both quality and compliance is maintained to the highest standard in line with service level agreements. 

Strong communication, negotiation, and administrative skills are essential, as you will be responsible for motivating and coaching apprentices throughout their apprenticeship journey. A solid understanding of current degree and apprenticeship programmes in the UK is also required.

If you're passionate about mentoring the next generation of engineers and have the expertise to support their development, we encourage you to apply!

1. Act as a personal professional academic tutor (if required), supporting and mentoring students as appropriate.
2. Provide expert operational advice to Apprenticeship Hub Team to support Funding Compliance.
3. Ensure co-ordination between apprentices, external clients and internal academic operations teams.
4. Ensure the apprenticeship process is managed and completed efficiently and effectively in line with our service level agreements.
5. Take lead responsibility for working with employers and external professional bodies to ensure that suitable evidence is available on the professional body’s career development portal to enable the student to progress and apply for the end point assessment.
6. Ensure that the apprentice is building a complete portfolio of experience in readiness for their End Point Assessment (EPA) in accordance with apprenticeship guidelines.
7. Work with the academic team and End-Point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs) to ensure that the apprentice is prepared for their EPA within the apprenticeship guidelines and to sign off that the apprentices have completed their e-portfolio.
8. Take a lead role in ensuring that appropriate records of reviews are kept and stored securely in accordance with University and external bodies’ audit requirements.
9. Produce monthly reports to show compliance, retention and success against given targets.
10. Schedule and manage visits with employers to carry out health and safety checks, safeguarding and assessment of evidence and tripartite reviews.
11. Support and encourage employers to actively participate in the review process and offer mentoring support to young learners and small organisations, with particular focus on young apprentices as well as those who have declared the need for additional support.
12. Provide pastoral care to students, referring when necessary to services that provide further support.
13. Work with the Head of Apprenticeships, the Apprenticeships Hub and Heads of School to provide an outstanding apprenticeship service to sponsors, learners and employers.
14. Work collaboratively with the apprenticeship hub team alongside academic staff to support learner engagement and update the employer either face to face or via our e-portfolio system.
15. Collate Employer and Apprentice review comments to inform programme committees and the University continual monitoring process for quality enhancement.
16. Ensure that the intent, implementation and impact of the apprenticeship programme is explored in each review and that academic teams are aware of any concerns by the apprentice and/or employer.
17. Build successful working relationships with key stakeholders across the University, relevant colleagues across the sector and external agencies to ensure expectations are effectively managed. 
18. Contribute to the work of the College team and Apprenticeship Hub team (where appropriate), taking on such duties and responsibilities as delegated by the line manager.