Title: Learning & Development Coach - CIPD HR / L&D Apprenticeships

Location: UK Remote

Position: Permanent

About Avado

Here at Avado, we believe in people-powered transformation because we know that all transformation starts with people. We are a professional learning organisation that upskills people, uplifts cultures and future‑proofs organisations in a fast‑moving world. We design and deliver interactive learning experiences in data, people, business analysis and marketing including work-readiness programmes, apprenticeships and professional qualifications, many of which maximise UK Government future skills funding. Our connected learning approach combines deep expertise, collaborative learning, scalable technology and award-winning learning design to deliver unrivalled learner experiences for people and organisations who want real change.

Who we need 

Karen, our inspirational Head of Learning in our People Academy, is looking for a couple of experienced skills coaches with a passion for supporting learners to develop valuable practical skills and experience throughout their CIPD apprenticeship journey (levels 5 and 7). Someone who understands what is needed to coach and support a learner, can provide clear demonstrations of what and how to discuss knowledge skills and behaviours mapped to the apprenticeship standards, to provide consistent support that drives the apprentice to complete and achieve a great outcome.

We asked some our current team of outstanding coaches to explain why they love what they do - to give you a feel for the role these are the thoughts of one of our colleagues who sums it up perfectly!

“Coaching for me is one of the most rewarding careers I have pursued. Elevating, growing, and propelling other professionals to heights they deemed unimaginable is among the most satisfying feelings one could get from their career. The transition from practice to coach was a challenge at first, as I missed being in the front line “owning my projects”. But life is about perspective, I have now provided counsel to hundreds of projects, simultaneously, and have seen my years of experience help others make successes of theirs.” 

Equally importantly, you will align beautifully with our organisational values, which were defined by our people for our people, clients, learners and partners:

What you’ll do

• Provide and deliver a high quality, robust, individualised programme that supports the apprentice's / learner’s journey in relation to the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for their level 5 / 7 HR or L&D programme
• Input to initial assessment, eligibility, pre-enrolment and induction processes to ensure apprentices'/learners' starting points are accurately recorded and their programme of learning reflects this information
• Provide coaching and mentoring to, and arrange visits, either face to face or remotely with apprentices/learners to develop workplace knowledge, skills and behaviours as part of their qualification and/or apprenticeship to progress and complete apprentices/learners in a timely manner
• Observe apprentices/learners in the workplace and/or virtually against criteria laid down by the relevant apprenticeship standard/EPAO preparation/awarding body
• Effectively use BUD to support and progress apprentices/learners on their programme
• Conduct assessments, where required, to monitor apprentice/learner development and to generate evidence towards the qualification/end point assessment within set timeframes and to achieve targets set by management in a timely manner
• Provide constructive, professional and relevant feedback to apprentices/learners in relation to their qualification and/or Apprenticeship Standard
• Utilise all available and appropriate technology in the delivery of learning programmes to support and develop apprentice's/learner's knowledge, skills and behaviours effectively and efficiently
• Deliver classroom and virtual training sessions to coach apprentices/learners in business and management skills and to support and develop skills, knowledge and behaviours to successfully gain the qualification/apprenticeship
• Ensure strong knowledge, skills and behaviours are acquired to enable high levels of success for apprentices/learners at end point assessment
• Ensure own assessments, where required, are accurate and achieve internal quality assurance rates set by management
• Carry out formal progress reviews with apprentices/learners and employers and complete paperwork and administration within agreed timescales
• Ensure that own allocated caseload of apprentices/learners are progressing in line with their target achievement dates and liaise with the Programme Manager(s) for the purpose of monitoring the progress of qualification/standards achievement
• Track and report progress of planned learning, maintaining records throughout the apprentice/learner journey ensuring full compliance with Ofsted, ESFA and other regulatory bodies
• Promptly identify situations requiring periods of absence from the programme or potential issues or risks and submit accurate paperwork as required and in a timely manner
• Ensure that apprentice/learner records are accurately maintained
• Complete apprentice visits, either virtual or to other sites and locations, when required or as directed by management
• Maintain positive relationships with apprentices/learners, business partners and all other stakeholders
• Coach and mentor apprentices/learners to develop positive attitudes towards learning and studying
• Attend standardisation and team meetings as required
• Identify, complete and record appropriate Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities that maintain your ability to support the delivery of programmes and apprenticeships

What we’re looking for

• Minimum of 2 year’s industry experience in HR or L&D, understanding of how HR and L&D work in organisations
• CIPD qualification/accreditation (level 5 or 7)
• Proven coaching and mentoring skills and experience
• Friendly, confident, and engaging personality, confident communicating effectively and professionally
• Strong organisational, time-management and administrational skills with the ability to successfully multi-task
• Passionate about learning and development and the value of apprenticeships, with a desire to develop and inspire others.
• Commitment to continuous professional development, particularly in the areas of ICT, training and learning assessment.
• Adaptable, able to learn quickly and use own initiative – thrives under pressure
• Creative and innovative, considers ideas and ways to support and improve the learner journey
• Demonstrates exceptionally high levels of motivation, working both independently and as part of a team
• Assessor qualification TAQA/CAVA Level 3 equivalent (ideal but not essential)
• And of course, as this is a remote / hybrid role, an excellent broadband internet connection is also required!

What you’ll get:

Lots of benefits including:

• Holidays – 25 days plus bank public holidays, increasing by 1 day after 2 years and a further day after 4 years.
• A day off on or around your birthday, and a birthday gift of your choice.
• Monthly hybrid working allowance.
• Discounts at 250+ retailers.
• Free coffee from Caffe Nero or a pastry from Greggs, weekly, as well as a free film to stream monthly, AND heavily discounted cinema tickets.
• Cycle2Work scheme, even if work is predominantly at home!
• Statutory pension and life assurance.
• What we call ‘accountable flexibility’ that you can expect from a hybrid working environment, with an office in London and Birmingham to use in line with our business cadence.
• Various opportunities to gain an immersive experience into the broad range of Avado products and proposition.
• Virtual mindfulness activities on Mondays and Friday.
• On-demand access to a professional business / executive coach.
• Curated personal development and learning tools, courtesy of Magpie.
• Periodic opportunities to give back by mentoring learners on our FastFutures diversity-focused employability programme.
• Free access to a virtual GP.

And… just for being here, we offer you a culture that’s created and nurtured by super smart people and underpinned by our Values which guide our thinking, decisions and actions, creating a truly unique place to work. You will also get to be at the forefront of helping a very diverse range of professionals enhance their careers, whether at the early stages or later down the line. You'll enjoy a hybrid working environment with an enviable workspace to use in West London, serious personal development opportunities (well, we are a learning organisation after all), and some rather nice job-related and lifestyle perks. Oh, and one more thing - we're a Great Place to Work™ certified company, and the only commercial learning organisation in the 'large' category that's recognised as one of the UK's Best Workplaces™, something we are rightly very proud of!

And we’re highly inclusive….

Avado is one of those rare places where anyone from anywhere with any background or experience is free to come and do their very best work. We believe in the diversity of thought, as that’s what helps us help our clients and learners – whether investing in their own development, or having their employer invest for them. Equality, diversity and inclusion are values that underpin our success; come and see for yourself!