Degree Apprenticeship Workplace Reviewer in Engineering

Job details

Responsible to

• Subject Lead for Engineering
• Location
• Markeaton Street, Derby Campus
• Closing date
• Monday 21 September 2026
• Salary
• £32,942 to £36,977 per annum pro rata (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £42,523.55 per annum, pro rata)

Job grade

ATOS 6

• Reference
• 0162-26
• Contract type
• Permanent
• Post type
• Part-time
• Adaptive working type
• Hybrid
• This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework.

About the University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About the College/Department

Here at the University of Derby, the College of Science and Engineering is the home STEM, the skills that are essential to the UK’s Industrial Strategy. From digitisation to decarbonisation, we have an important role to play in shaping the future. And by researching or collaborating with us, you can too.

The College brings together a powerful combination of scientific expertise, technological innovation, and creative practice. With disciplines spanning computing, AI, Data Science, engineering, environmental sciences, built environments and Psychology. We are uniquely positioned to solve real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Our courses are designed with employability and future industry needs in mind, supported by cutting-edge facilities, strong employer partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability. Through applied research and hands-on learning, we equip students and staff to drive progress in areas that matter most; from smart technology to clean energy, advanced manufacturing to immersive design.

School of Engineering and Built Environment

The School of Engineering and Built Environment at the University of Derby is a dynamic and future-focused academic community that blends technical excellence with creative innovation. It offers a wide range of programmes across engineering, architecture, construction, and design, preparing students to tackle global challenges in sustainability, infrastructure, and the built environment.

The School is home to research-active academics with backgrounds in architecture, interior design, and construction. Our staff bring real-world experience and academic rigour to the classroom, supporting students in developing both creative portfolios and technical competencies.

The discipline area is located in the University’s STEM annex in Markeaton Street, where staff offices and lab facilities are co-located. Key investments in the last few years include dedicated intelligent instrumentation and smart sensor technologies, robotics, renewable energy, power engineering and advanced materials and manufacturing. The discipline area is actively engaged in knowledge exchange projects and has an active applied research agenda.

About the role

The University of Derby has been at the forefront of vocational and work-based learning for over 10 years delivering industry responsive courses and higher-level skills to local and national businesses and their employees. Building on this success and in light of the creation of new degree Apprenticeship Standards, the University has developed and introduced a number of new degree higher Apprenticeships across a range of sectors.

We have a wide range of courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and apprenticeships, in manufacturing, materials science, civil engineering, aerospace, nuclear engineering and software engineering. We have approximately 600 apprentices studying with companies based in the Midlands and North of the UK. Within the College of Science and Engineering, we have a wide base of employers in the region which engage with Manufacturing Engineering and Materials Science Technologist degree apprenticeships, including Rolls-Royce plc, Frazer Nash, Cavendish Nuclear, AtkinsRéalis, Lucideon, Alstom, JCB, Fosroc, Parker Meggitt and IPT Aero.

We are seeking a Degree Apprenticeship Workplace Reviewer you will work closely with colleagues across the School of Engineering and Built Environment and the School of Computing to support the Nuclear Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering and Materials Science Technologist Degree Apprenticeship. You will be part of a team of staff of academics, tripartite reviewers and managers who deliver the Degree Apprenticeships to a wide range of employers.

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 our apprenticeship programmes and it supports apprentices’ success in their degree programme.

You will organise tripartite visits with employers representatives 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. You may be asked to carry out tripartite reviews in employer facilities in the Midlands and other parts of the UK.

Anticipated interview date: Monday 5th October 2026

About You

The ideal candidate will have experience of working in a relevant engineering sector with apprentices and employers. You will have gained a broad skills base in areas such as materials and manufacturing processes, computer aided design and modelling, electrical and electronics, industrial control systems, operations management, nuclear operations, computer integrated manufacturing or High Integrity Software Engineering.

You will be able to work flexibly to arrange online and face-to-face meetings and complete appropriate administrative for compliance to deadline. Working 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!

Principal accountabilities

Lead on liaising with apprentices, external clients and internal academic operations teams to ensure that communication between all parties is recorded in the review process, ensuring the process is managed and completed efficiently and effectively and in line with our service level agreements.

Accountable for managing visits with employers to carry out health and safety checks, assessment of evidence, tripartite reviews. Support the employers to actively participate in the review process offering mentoring support to young learners and small organisations, with a focus on young apprentices as well as those who have declared the need for additional support.

Act as a personal professional academic tutor, supporting and mentoring students as appropriate.

Provide pastoral care to students, referring when necessary to services that provide further support.

Work with the Apprenticeships Hub and Heads of School to facilitate duties that support the achievement of outstanding communication to employers and the learner and client experience.

Provide expert operational advice to Apprenticeship Hub Team to ensure duties that support the achievement of Funding Compliance, whilst enhancing the learner and client experience.

Take a lead role to ensure that appropriate records of reviews are kept and stored securely in accordance with University and external bodies’ audit requirements.

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.

Lead responsibility to work with employers and external professional bodies to ensure that there is a process by which 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.

Take a lead on collating the Employer and Apprentice review comments to inform programme committees and the University continual monitoring process for quality enhancement.

Lead on producing monthly reports to show compliance, retention and success against given targets.

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.

Ensure that the apprentice is building a complete portfolio of experience in order to attempt their End Point Assessment (EPA) with apprenticeship guidelines.

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.

Build successful working relationships with key stakeholders across the University, relevant colleagues across the sector and external agencies to ensure expectations are effectively managed.

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.

Person specification

### Essential Criteria

#### Qualifications

Honours degree in an Engineering or related discipline

#### Experience

Relevant work experience in the engineering sector related to the apprenticeship standard in the UK

Knowledge and experience of the current degree and apprenticeship programmes above Level 4 and associated funding quality and compliance processes and systems

Experience of working with employers in their workplace

Experience of mentoring or coaching apprentices (or similar learners) to engage positively with their development

#### Skills, knowledge and abilities

A broad skills base in areas such as materials and manufacturing processes, computer aided design and modelling, electrical and electronics, industrial control systems, operations management, nuclear operations, computer integrated manufacturing or High Integrity Software Engineering

A working knowledge of current and emerging apprenticeship standards, EPA and the Apprenticeship Levy

Numerically and financially literate with a sharp eye for detail

Able to demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity

Commitment to first class customer service and achieving high quality outputs and outcomes

Advanced organisational ability, excellent planning and prioritising capabilities

An achiever who owns their own part in the process of delivering a high-quality apprenticeship service by going the extra mile in their area of responsibility

Highly self-motivated with the confidence to work independently and willingness to take on new responsibilities

Able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with people at all levels with the ability to gain the confidence, respect and co-operation of senior figures both within the organisation and externally

Able to motivate and mobilise individuals both academics and students

Highly organised and efficient

#### Business requirements

Able to take a flexible approach to work

Travel between sites

Some evening and occasional weekend working

Willingness to provide support at University events from time to time e.g., Graduation, Clearing and Open Days, (some of these events occur outside of normal working hours, such as evenings and weekends)

A commitment to own professional development

### Desirable Criteria

#### Qualifications

Professionally qualified to IEng or CEng with a suitable engineering professional institution

#### Experience

Substantial experience of working in the engineering sector to have obtained a broad skills base in areas such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, process engineering, software engineering, or engineering in a nuclear environment

Previous management/supervisory experience/leading staff teams

Experience of working with higher apprentices and/or in the education sector

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• * A commitment to personal and professional development

Key contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Justin Steele-Davies, Subject Lead for Engineering via [email protected]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [email protected].

Important information

#### Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

#### DBS check

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

#### Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to fostering an open, inclusive and diverse community where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex or sexual orientation.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome requests for adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Applicants may choose their preferred title, including 'Mx', and may share preferred pronouns if they wish. We also use anonymised shortlisting to help reduce the potential impact of unconscious bias. For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby, please visit our website.

We are also committed to promoting academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression within the law, in line with our Code of Practice, and value diversity of thought alongside diversity of backgrounds and experiences.

However you identify, we welcome applications from people whose experiences, perspectives and talents will contribute to our inclusive, supportive and intellectually vibrant community.

#### Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

Seize the opportunity to shape the future, apply now.

How to apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

The University reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at [email protected].

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.