Title of post: / Business Skills Advisor
Reports to: / Head of Careers, Employability and Enterprise
Key Contacts: / Businesses within the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) area. Business support service providers. Employer networks, FE Colleges, Work Based Learning Providers including those involved in Apprenticeship delivery
Job Grade: / Grade 6
Period: / Fixed term – to 31thJuly 2018
Hours /

Full-Time – 37 hours per week with some evening/weekend working required. Part time, job share and secondments considered

Annual Leave / 22 Days plus 8 Public Holidays and 3 additional days between Christmas and New Year
Location / Negotiable within the GLLEP area. Travel across the GLLEP area will be a regular feature of the post.
Outline of the post
The post holder will work as one of a team of at least 6 Business Skills Advisors toengage with sector networks and businesses in the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) area. Business Skills Advisors will work as part of the Lincolnshire Growth Hub Programme. They will sign up businesses to undertake a detailed training needs analysis which they will then deliver. They will support businesses, including both SMEs and micro businesses to articulate their skills needs and plan how they will develop their staff, resulting in an action plan. Following this, businesses will be supported to access training solutions. Where the training that the business/es needs for growth is not available, the post holder will work with colleges and other skills providers to ensure that training is developed which meets employer’s skills needs. It is therefore critical that the post holder can develop strong links with key stakeholders. They will be responsible for recording data to ensure that accurate information is available to providers to assist with the planning and enhancement of provision.
Organisational and communication skills, particularly in the delivery of workshops, events and other activities as required will feature strongly. Advisors must have the expertise to work with a wide range of businesses, however it is also preferable that Advisors have a sector specialism, particularly in the food industry, agriculture, manufacturing (particularly engineering), the low carbon sector, ports, logistics the visitor economy (incorporating hospitality and retail), the health and care sector, construction, IT/digital, HR and accountancy
Job Description
  1. Engage with employer networks, business support providers through the Greater Lincolnshire Growth Hub and directly with employers to achieve employer sign-ups to the project.
  2. Carry out face to face liaison with employers; in line with personal targets,both with individuals and groups, undertaking aTraining Needs Analysis process.
  3. Ensure all eligible businesses receive a high quality service throughout the entire employer journey.
  4. Through interventions with employers help them understand the benefits of training.
  5. Analyse critical management information to support and drive market penetration and ensuring individual engagement targets are met.
  6. Work with employers to find solutions to their training needs. Where provision exists, support employers to access training.
  7. Where suitable training does not exist, work with FE colleges and providers to establish new provision, using the Innovation Code as appropriate.
  8. Support employers to get involved in Apprenticeship Trailblazers if appropriate.
  9. Write reports as requiredto support the development of provision providing evidence of need.
  10. Represent the project/University at relevant functions and networks internally and externally and attend project meetings as required, building positive relationships and contacts against future joint-working opportunities. Where necessary, initiate meetings and networks. Participate in wider forums and debates relating to business needs and skills gaps.
  11. Use experience, knowledge, initiative and creativity to solve project related problems in a practical and timely manner.
  12. To undertake on-going activity to measure customer satisfaction with the project.
  13. With the Project Team, collect, collate and analyse data from a range of sources and types to inform the decision making process and to accurately complete project records and returns as required.
  14. Attend appropriate training and staff development sessions, and participate in an Annual Performance Review process
  15. Comply with the University’s Health and Safety Welfare Policy, legislation and practice.
  16. Maintain professional standards in relationships, including non-discriminatory practice.
  17. Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required, including administrative duties appropriate to this role.

PERSON PROFILE

Area / Essential / Desirable
Education/Qualifications / Educated to degree level / higher
Skills, Knowledge & Experience / Be able to demonstrate considerable experience of business/skills support and/or a high level of sector knowledge,particularly in one or more of the following:
  • Ports/logistics
  • Manufacturing
  • Engineering
  • Low carbon sector (particularly off-shore wind)
  • Agri-Food
  • HR
  • Accountancy
  • Digital
  • Visitor economy, including retail and leisure
  • Health and Social care
Awareness of other providers of support and advice
Knowledge of equal opportunities practice
Knowledge of the skills landscape including FE, training provision including Apprenticeships and higher level provision.
Knowledge of what training is fundable and the routes available for this. / Awareness of social enterprise/not for profit business models
Experience of delivering SFA/ESF projects
Management of information resources, both paper-based and online, including CRM systems
Personal Qualities / Self-starter and able to work with initiative and independently; a can-do attitude
Good communication and IT skills
Well-honed creative problem solving skills; innovative
Excellent time management and prioritisation skills
Shows attention to detail
Professional and diplomatic at all times – trustworthy and discreet when handling confidential information
Effective team player

Other requirements:

The post will require a valid driving licence and access to a vehicle with suitable insurance for business usage.

The above posts are funded by a contract awarded to Bishop Grosseteste University by the European Social Fund and the UK Skills Funding Agency for improving the labour market relevance of education and training systems.