Apprentice & Graduate Programmes Planner (Group Finance)

The Finance Strategy & Development team delivers people and Learning & Development related initiatives for the finance community across Network Rail and the wider rail industry. The new entrants management part of the team is responsible for the development and management of the finance new entrant schemes. As Apprentice & Graduate Programmes Planner, you will be managing and coordinating the administrative arrangements for finance new entrants, working alongside various partners to effectively support finance apprentices, graduates, and placement students. You will be coordinating and providing recruitment and onboarding support for new entrants, working closely with internal and external partners. An important aspect of this role is the pastoral support that you will provide to the finance new entrants and we are looking for candidates that can demonstrate a great deal of empathy towards the new entrants., Managing the administrative arrangements for new entrant schemes across finance to enable all elements of each scheme to be effectively completed by each apprentice, graduate and placement student.
Coordinate and provide the support required for the recruitment and onboarding of apprentices and graduates, working closely with Network Rail’s Resourcing teams and external stakeholders.
Manage the monitoring of apprentice and graduate performance across the programme, not limited to those employed via Network Rail, in conjunction with their respective training providers, such that accurate performance progress records are maintained.
Maintain regular contact with apprentices and graduates to understand their experiences within finance, providing pastoral support where necessary and escalating issues to key contacts within the programme.
Co-ordinate the purchasing and provision of any key resources and equipment apprentices and graduates require, working alongside Network Rail’s HR teams.
Co-ordinate the collation of stakeholder feedback to support the ongoing review and development of apprenticeship and graduate programmes, and work with the Apprentice and Graduate Programmes Manager and training providers to resolve or escalate issues as appropriate.
Maintain records of training and development activities undertaken by apprentices and graduates, to demonstrate that the required levels of competency are achieved.
Collate regular updates upon the progress of apprentices and graduates, to be shared with the finance new entrants’ management team.

· Relevant successful administration experience, particularly in dealing with large volumes of people and data

· CIPD Level 3/5 in learning & development or equivalent experience

· Successful experience of working within a large, complex organisation

· Proven excellent organisation and interpersonal skills including strong emotional intelligence

· Proven influencing and negotiation skills

· Significant experience of using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Microsoft Forms and PowerPoint etc.)

· Able to demonstrate strong communication skills (verbal and written), including an excellent telephone manner and proven ability to communicate at all levels (including with 17-24 year old Apprentices)

· Successful experience of supporting the delivery of learning and development initiatives and projects

· Knowledge and experience of training administration

· Experience of supporting apprentice and / or graduate programmes

Desirable

· Rail, Engineering or Construction sector experience

At Network Rail, our Finance function is key to our success. Our diverse and high-achieving team is responsible for ensuring we secure appropriate funding and get the best possible value for the money we spend, driving forward our continuing mission to transform the UK’s rail network into a world-class infrastructure.