Apprenticeship and Skills Specialist

As Apprenticeship and Skills Specialist, you will directly shape the future of WSP’s apprenticeship programmes, advising the business on best practice and influencing our position in skills development. This role combines setting programme direction with hands on delivery, ensuring our programmes are, innovative, compliant and aligned with organisational objectives. You will champion support for apprentices and their managers, identify growth opportunities, and build partnerships to maintain excellence in programme delivery.

Your team

You will be part of our dedicated Early Careers team, collaborating closely with specialists in recruitment and development. The team manages every stage of the journey for earn-and-learn roles, including apprentices, graduates, and placements, ensuring a seamless experience from recruitment through to professional growth. Our early careers cohorts are central to WSP’s success and future growth, representing over 10% of our UK and Ireland workforce.

What you will do

• Be a trusted advisor to the business, providing expert guidance on apprenticeship best practice, emerging trends, and legislative updates. 
• Design, implement, and continuously improve apprenticeship programmes that support apprentices to thrive and achieve their potential. 
• Provide clear communication and expert guidance to apprentices and their line managers throughout the programme, acting as the main point of contact and ensuring they are supported from enrolment through to successful completion, including End Point Assessments (EPA).
• Build relationships with universities, colleges, providers, and external partners to maintain programme quality and reputation. 
• Oversee compliance and contractual documentation, including enrolment, transfers, and accurate record management on the Digital Apprenticeship Service. 
• Use data and analytics to monitor success, spot trends, and drive continuous improvement. 
• Influence WSP’s position in skills development, identifying growth opportunities and ensuring effective use of the Skills and Growth Levy.
• Represent WSP at external networks and professional bodies.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

• Experience of and a thorough knowledge and understanding of apprenticeship programme management and compliance in the UK and Ireland, ideally within engineering and/ or consultancy.
• Advisory and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. 
• A passion for creating inclusive environments where apprentices and managers feel supported.
• Effectively communicate complex apprenticeship requirements to a wide range of stakeholders with differing levels of knowledge and varied interests.
• Experience of working in an internal Early Careers, Learning and Development or HR team

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.