Skills for Life Trainer

This role with NACRO involves teaching key skills, literacy and numeracy qualifications to 16 to 18 year olds at an entry level to level 1 standard. The main purpose of which is to prepare them for entry into Further Education or employment. A successful candidate would have had extensive experience in the field of teaching as well as evidence of working with youngsters. The role holds no diminished responsibilities of that of a Key Stages teacher; however the standards of behaviour and academic ability of pupils may be significantly lower than expected at those levels. Candidates will show a willingness and enthusiasm for young learning and development as well as a strong tolerance towards attitude and behavioural problems.

The role is also quite administrative, and necessary, often lengthy work such as reviews and the completion of relevant funding bodies’ paperwork will need to be carried out on a regular basis. Additionally, candidates will show an ability to work well within a group dynamic. This position may involve a large amount of individual work, but it often requires fill-in roles such as special or group projects for absent staff, so duties and responsibilities are largely flexible.  Candidates should be aware that the position holder will be expected to adapt to any new teaching methods or programmes that are suggested to them during employment.

Candidates will show strong literacy skills as well as confidence in verbal communication and presentation. One of the key aims of the role is to motivate and inspire young adults to do more with what they have. The position holder will likely become a role model for many young individuals. Knowledge of areas such as career or education paths for young individuals would be helpful as well as an ability to embrace new targets that they set themselves, however unorthodox. The role involves extensive one-to-one mentoring and additional research. Skills for Life Trainers are expected to develop both an understanding of the needs of each pupil, and a friendship and mutual trust with them.

Essential academic qualifications include key stage 2 passes in IT key skills, numeracy and literacy. Candidates should also hold a full drivers’ license and have access to a vehicle for business use, as traveling to different teaching locations all over England and Wales is a requirement. If candidates don’t own a vehicle, they should present evidence of alternative travel arrangements. As well as unfixed working locations, the position holder may be expected to work some evenings and weekends, however this will be repaid fairly with time off. This position is also subject to CRB checks.

Qualifications

to a reasonable standard, including IT, numeracy and literacy key skills level 2.

Experience

Significant evidence of work with youngsters and in a teaching setting.

Skills

IT skills, numeracy and literacy skills, people and training skills.