The Quality Assurance Manager will play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and effectiveness of our apprenticeship and commercial programs. This position is integral to maintaining our reputation for good quality education and ensuring that our training meets the highest standards. This involves leading on the implementation of quality assurance processes, supporting one IQA only, conducting quality audits, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements

The Quality Assurance Manager has responsibility for supporting the measurable improvement of the company's operational performance to optimise the delivery in all aspects of learning. You will work on quality improvement projects and curriculum design that support all aspects of Quality across all business and service activity, aligned with the Pier Training quality assurance strategy

As the designated Ofsted nominee, you will lead on all monitoring or inspection visits, reporting directly to the Pier Training Managing Director

Skills and Knowledge needed for the job

A results-focused Manager with a proven history of Quality Improvement in work-based learning and Apprenticeships
Positive relationship management skills with the ability to build and maintain key relationships across the organisation and with external partners at all levels
Competence to support and implement business and Quality improvement activities across all aspects of the business
Robust ability to anticipate and address delivery challenges, as well as an aptitude for dealing with emerging issues in a timely and measured manner
Analytical thinker , able to break down complex problems into manageable components and have the ability to think creatively and generate innovative solutions to problems
The capacity to evaluate information objectively, consider different perspectives and make reasoned judgements
A collaborator with the ability to lead the Internal Quality & Assurance function, and to identify optimal opportunities for collaboration and improvement within the Operations division and across the wider business
Participation in the wider agenda of Quality Improvement with focus on policy and procedure within the wider remit of the business

Key responsibilities:

Quality Management System (e.g. OneFile):

Develop, implement, and maintain a robust Quality Management System that aligns with industry best practices and regulatory requirements
Regularly review and update quality assurance strategy and procedures to ensure they remain current and effective
Ensure that all delivery staff are trained on the system and understand their roles and responsibilities within it

Internal Audits:

Plan, schedule, and conduct regular internal audits (samples) of apprenticeship and commercial programs to assess their effectiveness and compliance with established standards, your main focus will be apprenticeships as this form 98% of our delivery with a very small provision of commercial training.
Prepare detailed audit reports, highlighting areas of non-compliance to the Senior Management Team and recommending corrective actions
Follow up on audit findings to ensure that corrective actions are implemented and effective

Compliance:

Ensure that all apprenticeship programs comply with relevant regulations, including those set by the Department Of Education, Ofsted, and awarding bodies
Stay up to date with changes in legislation and regulatory requirements, and ensure that the organisation adapts accordingly
Prepare for and manage external inspections and quality audits, ensuring that all necessary documentation and evidence are available and accurate (this includes External Quality Assurance (EQS) reviews ,End Point Assessment(EPA) compliance and Ofsted Inspections)

Continuous Improvement:

Implement continuous improvement strategies to enhance the quality and effectiveness of apprenticeship programs
Use data and feedback from quality audits, inspections, and stakeholders to identify areas for improvement
Develop and implement action plans to address identified areas for improvement and monitor their effectiveness

Stakeholder Engagement:

Collaborate with all stakeholders and partners, colleagues and customers in a way that reflects the organisational values of equality and inclusion and high standards of professional conduct
Instruct and mentor members of the delivery and IQA on various quality and improvement projects to include the development of written guidance and a Quality Assurance Strategy' in order to ensure internal ownership, quality improvement and a system of shared learning across the business in line with the goals of the business plan
Engage with employers, apprentices, and staff to gather feedback on the quality and effectiveness of apprenticeship programs
Use feedback to inform quality assurance processes and drive improvements
Actively promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement throughout the business where shared learning opportunities are optimised and best practice is embedded at the earliest opportunity. This will be done through close working with colleagues from all areas of the business

Training and Development:

Provide regular training, standardisation, and support to staff on quality assurance processes, best practices, and regulatory requirements
Develop and deliver training programs to ensure that all staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to maintain high standards of quality
Support the professional development of staff by identifying training needs and opportunities for growth
Maintain own continuous professional development and appropriate CPD log

Documentation:

Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all quality assurance activities, including sampling plans, audits, inspections, and EQS / EPA compliance reports
Prepare regular reports on quality assurance activities and outcomes for senior management to be used at SMT meetings

Problem Solving:

Identify potential sources of errors or non-compliance in apprenticeship / teaching delivery and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence and actions / sanctions set by EQS / EPA.
Monitor the effectiveness of corrective actions and adjust as needed

Curriculum Design:

Lead on the design of relevant curriculum to ensure that apprenticeship programs are designed to meet industry standards and regulatory requirements
Collaborate with Employers in the design of curriculum to ensure training programs are meaningful and have a positive impact on apprentices
Review and approve curriculum materials to ensure they align with quality assurance standards.
Provide feedback and recommendations for curriculum improvements based on audit findings and stakeholder feedback
Ensure that the curriculum is regularly updated to reflect changes in industry practices and regulatory requirements

Key Measures:

Focus on Learner Outcomes: Ensure all activities are centred around achieving positive outcomes for learners, as outlined in the Education Inspection Framework (EIF) FE Skills handbook
Positive and successful Ofsted Inspection Outcome: Enable the business to achieve a positive and successful outcome in Ofsted inspections by adhering to quality standards and best practices.
Teaching and Learning: Ensure the delivery team maintain effective pedagogy and implement their teaching and learning sessions to a high standard ensuring all learners benefit from a positive and impactful learning experience in line with the Ofsted EIF requirements
Learner File Sampling: Ensure that you and the Internal Quality Assurer/s (IQA) perform regular sampling of teaching, learning and assessment files to ensure the integrity of evidence and the maintenance of high-quality standards
Quality Learner Reviews: Through regular sampling activity, ensure learner reviews are of high standard and compliant with Department Of Education and Ofsted requirements. Report any findings related to tutor performance to the operations manager.
Policy Review and Implementation: Review current policy relating to Quality Assurance, suggest changes, and implement improvements to enhance program quality.
EPA Preparation: Ensure the delivery and QA personnel understand the End-Point Assessment (EPA) requirements for each standard, to include the sharing of appropriate up to date resources to support learners into EPA successfully
Quality Improvement Plan: Maintain an up-to-date ongoing Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) and produce a yearly Self-Assessment Report (SAR).
EPA Organisation: Identify and recommend the best EPA organisation for apprenticeships and maintain positive working relationships with all
Off-the-Job Training: Ensure the IQA tracks learners off-the-job training' through regular sampling to meet apprenticeship compliance requirements

About Pier Training:

Established: 2011, with new ownership since 2018.
Contracts: With both public and private sector organisations, including 12 NHS trusts.
Focus: 97% on delivering apprenticeships to levy-paying customers, with some exposure to SMEs through apprenticeship levy transfers.
Performance: All green indicators in the Apprenticeship Accountability Framework for 2023-24.
Achievement Rate: 71.3% for 2023-24, aiming to exceed this in the current year
Ofsted Rating: Good in the last full inspection (April 2023).
End Point Assessment: Over 75% of learners achieve a distinction.
Learner Progression: Excellent employer and Learner testimonials with evidence of Learner progression data across multiple apprenticeship standards.
Direct Claim Status with awarding bodies achieved and maintained.

Fully remote - Home based with no requirement to travel to the office
1 x IQA direct line report
BUPA Private Healthcare
Pension contribution
Holidays- 25 days plus 3 days discretionary over Christmas shutdown
Additional holiday on staff birthday

The role will require you to manage 1 IQA only, this will suit someone who is looking to work in a small and growing ITP with a niche apprenticeship provision.

Pier Training

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Quality Assurance Manager - Apprenticeship