Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) - Vocational Learning

Location: Rochdale
Salary: £26,000 to £30,000 per annum (dependent on experience)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Start Date: ASAP

Aspire People is recruiting on behalf of an innovative Alternative Provision in Rochdale for a permanent Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to support the delivery of vocational learning programmes for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 learners.

This provision supports young people who have faced barriers to mainstream education, including SEMH needs, SEND and disrupted educational experiences. The successful candidate will play a key role in helping pupils re-engage with education through practical, hands-on learning opportunities designed to build confidence, develop employability skills and raise aspirations.

This is not a traditional classroom-based HLTA position.

The provision is seeking someone who can engage learners through vocational and practical activities, helping pupils who often perform best through experiential learning rather than purely academic approaches.

You will lead and support vocational taster sessions and projects, providing learners with opportunities to explore different career pathways, develop practical skills and experience success in a supportive environment.

Training can be provided, but candidates should be confident delivering practical, workshop-style activities and capable of building positive relationships with young people.

Key Responsibilities

- Deliver engaging vocational learning sessions to small groups of learners
- Lead practical activities linked to trades and employability skills
- Support vocational taster programmes such as:
Painting and decorating
Basic construction skills
DIY and maintenance projects
Creative practical projects
Employability and life skills activities
- Adapt learning activities to meet the needs of pupils with SEMH and SEND
- Promote positive behaviour, resilience and engagement
- Support learners to develop confidence, communication and teamwork skills
- Work closely with teaching staff to contribute to personalised learning pathways
- Maintain a safe and purposeful learning environment

We are particularly interested in candidates with backgrounds such as:

- Vocational education
- Construction or trade professions
- Painting and decorating
- Joinery or maintenance work
- Youth work
- Alternative Provision
- Sports coaching
- Employment and skills training
- Learning support or HLTA roles

The ideal candidate will:

- Be passionate about helping young people succeed
- Have excellent relationship-building skills
- Be confident delivering practical learning activities
- Demonstrate resilience, patience and consistency
- Be creative in finding ways to engage reluctant learners
- Be able to motivate pupils who have previously become disengaged from education

Essential Requirements

- Experience working with young people
- Experience delivering practical or vocational activities
- Strong behaviour management and communication skills
- Full-time availability
- Eligibility to work in the UK
- Willingness to complete safeguarding and recruitment checks

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

- HLTA status or equivalent experience
- Experience in Alternative Provision, PRUs or specialist settings
- Vocational qualifications or trade experience
- Understanding of SEMH and trauma-informed practice
- Experience supporting learners at risk of exclusion

What the Provision Offers

- Small group teaching environment
- Opportunity to shape and develop vocational programmes
- Supportive leadership team
- Excellent opportunities for professional growth
- Meaningful work helping young people progress towards positive futures

If you have a vocational background, enjoy working with young people and want to use your skills to inspire learners who benefit from a practical approach to education, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and a member of the Aspire People team will be in touch to discuss this permanent opportunity in Rochdale.

Aspire People Limited provides services as an Education Agency and an Education Employment Business. Aspire People is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and expects every candidate to share this commitment. Placements are subject, to appropriate Child Protection screening, including checks with former employers and the Disclosure and Barring Checks.