Learning and Development Officer (Apprentice) – Ofsted
Location: Birmingham, Bristol or Manchester
Salary: £32,196 pro rata, rising to £32,598 pro rata after successful completion of probation
Grade: Executive Officer (B3)
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time, part-time and flexible working
Minimum Hours: 24 hours per week
Vacancies: 1
Employer: Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted)
Reference: 481211
Visa Sponsorship: ❌ Not available. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK and maintain that right throughout employment.
Application Deadline: 5:00 pm, Monday 28 September 2026
Online Judgement Test Deadline: 11:55 pm, Friday 25 September 2026
About the Role
Ofsted is recruiting a Learning and Development Officer (Apprentice) to join the Ofsted Academy.
The role is suited to someone who is enthusiastic about learning, enjoys working with people and wants to develop a career in learning and development. Previous experience working in a learning delivery environment is not required, as Ofsted will provide training, support and development throughout the apprenticeship.
The successful candidate will report to the Learning and Development Manager and contribute to learning experiences designed to help colleagues develop new skills and progress in their careers.
About the Apprenticeship
This is an 18-month apprenticeship leading to a fully funded Level 3 Learning and Development Practitioner qualification.
Applicants should be at an early stage of their career and must not already hold, or be working towards, an equivalent or higher qualification in Learning and Development.
As part of the programme:
- You will receive support from an apprenticeship tutor.
- You will have one-to-one tutor sessions approximately every 6 to 8 weeks.
- You will apply your learning to workplace situations.
- You will develop a portfolio of learning, tools and techniques.
- At least 20% of working time will be dedicated to off-the-job learning, equivalent to approximately one day per week.
If you are aged 16–18 and do not already have the required qualification, you will work towards Level 2 English and Maths through Functional Skills training.
Applicants aged 19 or over do not need to complete English and Maths qualifications to finish the apprenticeship, although Functional Skills training may be available if required.
Key Responsibilities
The role will involve supporting learning and development activities within the Ofsted Academy while building practical experience through the apprenticeship programme.
Key areas include:
- Supporting learning and development activities.
- Communicating with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Responding to enquiries and providing professional support.
- Organising and prioritising workloads.
- Supporting onboarding, induction, mentoring, coaching or shadowing activities where required.
- Gathering and using feedback to help improve learning services.
- Developing your own learning and development knowledge and skills.
- Working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation.
Requirements / Person Specification
Ofsted is looking for candidates who can demonstrate:
- The ability to organise and prioritise workloads to meet deadlines and agreed outcomes.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience responding to enquiries and providing helpful, professional support to customers or colleagues.
- Genuine enthusiasm for learning and personal development.
- An interest in helping others develop their skills and capabilities.
The following experience is desirable:
- Supporting onboarding or induction activities.
- Mentoring, coaching or shadowing.
- Gathering, analysing and reporting feedback.
- Understanding of learning and development, talent, leadership or organisational development principles.
You do not need previous experience in a formal learning delivery role.
Civil Service Behaviours
Candidates will be assessed against the following Civil Service behaviours:
- Developing Self and Others
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Salary & Benefits
The advertised salary is £32,196 pro rata per annum, increasing to £32,598 pro rata following successful completion of probation.
The role also includes membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, with Ofsted contributing 28.97% towards the pension.
Other benefits are available through the Ofsted employee offer.
Ofsted is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and operates the Disability Confident Scheme.
Working Pattern
The vacancy offers:
- Full-time working
- Part-time working
- Flexible working
The minimum working commitment is 24 hours per week.
Visa / Right-to-Work
This vacancy does not offer visa sponsorship.
Ofsted states that applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the point of application and throughout the duration of employment.
If you are currently outside the UK and require employer sponsorship to take up the role, this vacancy is not suitable.
Application & Selection Process
This vacancy uses the Civil Service Success Profiles recruitment process.
Before submitting an application, candidates must complete and pass the required online judgement test.
Online assessment deadline: 11:55 pm on 25 September 2026.
Candidates who do not successfully complete the assessment by this deadline cannot have their application considered.
For the application, Ofsted will assess evidence against the essential criteria. Candidates will also complete the Employer/Activity History section, which provides information about their career or experience history.
The STAR approach — Situation, Task, Action and Result — is recommended when presenting examples.
Interview
Candidates who meet the required benchmark at shortlisting stage will be invited to an interview.
Interviews are scheduled for the week commencing 19 October 2026 and will take place via Microsoft Teams.
The interview will assess a combination of Civil Service behaviours and the relevant technical and experience criteria.
Important Deadlines
Online Judgement Test:
25 September 2026 at 11:55 pm
Job Application:
28 September 2026 at 5:00 pm
Candidates should complete the online assessment well before the deadline because the test must be successfully completed before the job application can be submitted.
Security & Eligibility
Successful applicants will be required to undergo a standard or equivalent criminal record check.
The role also requires appropriate government security checks, including the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).
The vacancy is broadly open to eligible UK nationals and other groups who meet the Civil Service nationality and right-to-work requirements.
This is a permanent apprenticeship opportunity with Ofsted for candidates looking to build a career in learning and development while gaining a fully funded Level 3 qualification.
Important: You must already have the right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this vacancy.
Reference: 481211
FAQs
Is visa sponsorship available for this Learning and Development Officer apprenticeship?
No. Ofsted explicitly states that visa sponsorship is not available. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK and maintain that right throughout employment.
Do I need previous learning and development experience?
No. Previous experience in a learning delivery environment is not required. Ofsted is looking for enthusiasm, curiosity, communication skills and a genuine interest in helping others develop.
What qualification will I receive?
The successful apprentice will work towards a fully funded Level 3 Learning and Development Practitioner qualification over an 18-month apprenticeship.
How many hours do I need to work?
The vacancy has a minimum requirement of 24 hours per week and offers full-time, part-time and flexible working options.
What is the salary?
The salary is £32,196 pro rata, rising to £32,598 pro rata after successful completion of probation.
Where is the job based?
The role is based at one of the following locations:
- 23 Stephenson Street, Birmingham
- 2 Rivergate, Bristol
- Piccadilly Gate, Manchester
When is the application deadline?
Applications close at 5:00 pm on Monday 28 September 2026.
However, the online judgement test must be completed and passed by 11:55 pm on Friday 25 September 2026 before an application can be submitted.
When are interviews expected?
Interviews are scheduled for the week commencing 19 October 2026 and will be conducted through Microsoft Teams.
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