Association of Colleges

The Association of colleges (AoC) exists to represent and promote the interests of colleges and provide members with professional support services.As such, we aim to be the authoritative voice of colleges – based on credible analysis, research, advocacy and consultation with colleges – and the first choice destination for guidance and advice for members.AoC was established in 1996 by colleges themselves as a voice for further education and higher education delivered in colleges at national and regional level.

Where opportunities exist to contribute to sector-wide teaching, learning and assessment improvement, AoC works in partnership with agencies and providers from across the sector.

Our membership includes general and specialist further education colleges and sixth form colleges in England and we work with other college associations via the UK Council of colleges AoC's structure includes a busy national office in London, an active network of nine regional officesanda wide range of member networks, through which staff and Governors inform and shape AoC policy and activity.

AoC Create is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AoC, which provides services in conferencing, executive recruitment, consultancy and training on a cost-recovery basis.

Background to the programme

The Outstanding Teaching Learning and Assessment (OTLA) Technical Skills programmeaims to enhance teaching, learning and assessment. It focuses on supporting the development of technical skills, teaching practice and stronger employer-provider partnerships, with the aim of working towards outstanding provision for all studentson technical routes.

The OTLA Technical Skills Programme is commissioned and funded by the Education and Training Foundation. It builds on the Foundation’s previous work on OTLA regional projects, Professional Exchanges, Teach Too and more. This national programme is delivered by AoC, in partnership with AoC London and emfec, who led successful OTLA regional projects in phase 1.

The projects will reach across all provider types in post-16 education and we are seeking advisors with experience of working in a variety of provision. The national programmeis designed to support the development of the technical teaching workforce across the sector, to prepare practitioners and providers for the implementation of the Post-16 Skills Planand to have a positive impact on technical skills teaching across the country.

Principles of programme:

The programme is delivered from January 2017 to December 2017. It consists of:

  • Funding 20 development projects, led by education and training providers across the country. The development projects are collaborative projects focusing on the enhancement of technical skills and knowledge, teaching, learning and assessment and employer-provider partnerships.
  • Developing a network of Peer Advisors, who will provide support, advice and stretch and challenge to the development projects. The Peer Advisors will be supported by two Excellence Advisors.
  • Delivering CPD activities, developed by employer-provider partnerships as part of the development projects.
  • Disseminating programme outputs and outcomes, online and through events.

The outcomes and impact of the programme will be externally evaluated by Nottingham Trent University.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:Peer Advisor

Job Purpose:The purpose of the role is to be a ‘critical friend’ for one or two of the Technical Skills Knowledge Enhancement (TKSE) operational projects. This role necessitates a flexible, proactive, supportive and constructively critical approach to ensure that the project(s) meet or exceed expectations within the given timeframe and within the context of the wider overall TKSE project.
The Peer Advisors will:
  • Coach and support project leads and participants
  • Monitor progress against project milestones and timelines
  • Ensure and maintain the alignment of the project to relevant technical route
  • Review project outputs to ensure impact on TLA and students
  • Report progress to AoC and Excellence Advisors of each project
  • Embedding of the Professional Standards and equality and diversity within projects
  • Share best practise with AoC and Excellence Advisors.

Department / Directorate / AoC Projects
Reports To / Senior Project Managerand Excellence Advisor
People Management / Direct Reports:1-2 development project leads
Indirect Reports:None
Monetary Responsibility / Budget/ Revenue Generation:None
Risk Management:None
External Key Contacts / Development projects
Internal Key Contacts / AoC Projects Team and Excellence Advisors

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience

  • Technical/vocational expertise and experience in at least one of the 15 routes identified in the Post-16 Skills Plan
  • Demonstrable and relevant experience of the education and training sector, including of working with at least one of the following provider types: colleges, independent training providers, adult and community learning providers and third sector providers or directly for an employer
  • Demonstrable experience of delivering quality improvement work in the education and training sector, with a focus on excellence in teaching, learning and assessment
  • Experience of working on collaborative quality improvement
  • Familiarity with effective project management requirements so that activities can be guided to timely completion and to the standard required.

Knowledge, Skills and attributes

  • Ability to work independently, manage and administer own workload, resolve competing demands and priorities and to use initiative
  • Strong interpersonal skills, and an excellent ambassador for education and training
  • Strong understanding of employer needs and a good knowledge of the key issues affecting the education and training sector
  • Awareness of the Post-16 Skills Plan
  • Good understanding of equality and diversity issues in the education and training sector
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills including presentations and reports and use of social media, with good attention to detail
  • Tactful and diplomatic when dealing with sensitive matters
  • A good team player
  • An understanding of the Professional Standards.

Additional Requirements

Description / Essential / Desirable
Education/ Qualifications/ Professional Bodies
GCSE English GCSE grade C and above or equivalent / E
Educated to degree level or equivalent / E
Relevant professional qualifications / E
Attributes
Demonstrates respect for equality of opportunity & diversity and works to actively promote an inclusive work environment & good working relationships amongst staff / E
Demonstrates an interest in further education / E

Acknowledgement

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of the work performance by employees within this post. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications/experience required by employees assigned to the role. These may be subject to future amendments following appropriate consultation.

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