Salary Band: £27,000 – £33,500 (depending on experience)
Looking to be part of a fun and ambitious team? We’re seeking an interactive and motivated Skills and Support Officer to join our delivery team.
About FIRST
FIRST is a pioneering learning and development agency, empowering enterprise skills and entrepreneurship in collaboration with government, employers, education, and community organisations. Our accredited courses, workshops, consultancy, and events inspire courage, self-belief, and motivation, giving learners equitable opportunities to progress into meaningful education, decent work, or resilient self-employment.
Working specifically with underrepresented groups, our work facilitates inclusive economic growth by challenging the status quo and improving the quality of entry‑level teaching and learning within enterprise skills and entrepreneurship.
We have contributed millions in social return on investment for the North East economy and improved the quality of life for thousands of learners in some of the UK’s most under-resourced communities.
Based on Gateshead Quayside, our team of 14 is supported by a non‑executive director board to maintain quality during this exciting period of growth.
Our Culture
The FIRST team takes pride in our supportive, creative, and high‑performing approach to project design, delivery, and evaluation. We are professional, positive, and collaborative, with a shared commitment to producing meaningful outcomes for learners, clients, and communities.
Our Values
* Empowering others to achieve their dreams
* Expertise within enterprise skills
* Learning through fun
* Trusting relationships with stakeholders
Is this job right for you?
* You thrive in fast-paced, people-focused environments where no two days are the same.
* You’ve worked in adult learning or a training provider and know how to make sessions engaging, relevant, and practical.
* You bring enterprise skills to life through real stories, humour, and energy.
* Learners trust you because you balance warmth with high expectations.
* You notice when someone’s struggling and intervene early.
* You are comfortable being held accountable for learner outcomes, including retention, pass rates, achievement, and timely certification.
* You use data to improve your delivery and take ownership of performance.
* You hold (or are working towards) a Level 4+ teaching qualification and assessor experience.
* You understand Ofsted standards and uphold them confidently.
* You’ve run your own business or supported others to build theirs.
* Inclusion is something you practice daily.
* You manage your workload confidently, collaborate easily, and contribute positively to a small, mission-led team.
If that sounds like you, you’ll feel at home here.
* Hybrid working options (business dependent)
* Support for professional development and external training
* 28 days holiday including bank holidays, plus an extra day off for your birthday
* Additional paid leave after two years during the festive period
Main Responsibilities
1. Design and Deliver Training Programmes and Workshops
* Develop and deliver accredited courses and informal workshops in enterprise skills and entrepreneurship.
* Use innovative and interactive delivery approaches suited to adult learners.
* Facilitate practical sessions that build courage, confidence, and self-belief.
* Adapt delivery in response to learner needs and ongoing assessment.
2. Learner Communication, Engagement and Support
* Act as a consistent and professional point of contact for learners throughout their journey.
* Maintain timely communication via email, phone, and in person.
* Clearly communicate expectations, assessment requirements, deadlines, and progression routes.
* Monitor attendance, engagement, and progress, intervening early where learners are at risk.
* Maintain accurate, compliant records of learner interactions in line with funding and audit requirements.
3. Mentorship and Guidance
* Provide structured one-to-one and group support to ensure learning is retained and applied.
* Guide learners through the completion of accredited and non-accredited activities to ensure learning outcomes are achieved.
* Support learners to overcome barriers to completion and progression.
4. Assessment and Certification
* Develop and administer effective assessments to measure learner progress.
* Provide constructive, developmental feedback aligned to awarding body requirements.
* Use varied assessment methods to support different learning styles.
* Ensure assessment, internal verification, and certification processes are completed accurately and within required timeframes.
* Maintain compliance with awarding body and funding rules at all times.
5. Quality Assurance, Performance and Continuous Improvement
* Conduct regular formative and summative assessment to inform delivery.
* Contribute actively to quality assurance processes and Ofsted readiness.
* Monitor personal performance against contractual KPIs including retention, pass rates, achievement rates, and timely certification.
* Take ownership of performance data and implement improvement strategies where targets are at risk.
* Work collaboratively with colleagues to strengthen programme outcomes and learner progression.
* Work closely with the wider FIRST team to align delivery, assessment, and learner experience with organisational goals.
* Participate actively in team meetings and contribute to programme development.
* Support outreach and community engagement activity where required.
Qualifications and Experience
* Teaching qualification Level 4 or above.
* Assessor qualification and experience (or working towards).
* Experience working within adult education or a training provider (19+ learners).
* Experience with Ofsted standards and quality expectations.
* Experience supporting enterprise skills and entrepreneurship (including lived business experience).
* Strong written and verbal communication skills.
* Experience working with diverse learner groups and promoting inclusion.
* Ability to travel for community outreach delivery.
* Flexibility to work daytime and occasional evenings.
* Experience assessing post‑19 vocational learner work.
* Level 2 qualification in IAG (or willingness to work towards).
* Experience supporting learners with EAL or SEND.
* Experience working with learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
* Full clean driving license.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a CV and cover letter outlining their suitability for the role via the Indeed portal: https://uk.indeed.com/job/skills-and-support-officer-6b232f2434aa03bf
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.Early applications are encouraged.
For more information, visit: www.youarefirst.co.uk
Safer Recruitment at FIRST
FIRST is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners. All staff and partners are expected to share this commitment. Roles are subject to safer recruitment checks including enhanced DBS, verification of qualifications, and employment references.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Pay: £27,000.00-£33,500.00 per year
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Gateshead NE8 3DF: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
* teaching / facilitation: 2 years (required)
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