We have begun our recruitment for our team of Associate Trainers to deliver Course Rep Training (CRT) throughout academic year 2024-25 and are currently welcoming applications.
Associate Trainers are students and apprentices who are employed to train student representatives who are involved in commenting on their learning and teaching experience within their institutions of study, to enhance representative systems and ensure that the student voice is heard. sparqs has been training students to be Associate Trainers for 19 years.
Vacancy Summary
- Post Title: Associate Trainer
- Salary: £12.00 per hour
- Hours: Flexible
As an Associate Trainer (AT) you will be expected to deliver a minimum of eight training sessions in each semester where demand exists; with up to two sessions being delivered in any one day. You will be offered available training sessions and, if your timetable allows, then you sign up to those which suit you, making it a completely flexible and unique opportunity.
ATs also have responsibility for completing administrative duties for all training sessions that they deliver and forwarding relevant information to sparqs, including the completion of attendance sheets, sending certificates and returning own time sheets and expense forms. This is a key element of the role as this data directly feeds into our Outcome Agreement.
To be eligible, an applicant needs to be a student or apprentice in the coming academic year, 2024-25, and have had experience as an Apprentice/Course Representative or other representative activity. This might be through having experience as a course rep or by being involved in projects or groups that lead to enhancements of the learning experience, such as groups seeking to decolonise the curriculum or secure adaptations for particular groups of students, e.g. disabled students.
No previous training experience is required, as extensive training is provided at a residential mandatory training course which runs from Tuesday 27th to Friday 30th August 2024. This training, along with other induction and development days, will equip ATs to develop their skills and knowledge as trainers.
During 2023-24, a majority of our CRT was delivered online and this is likely to be the case in 2024-25, but depends on the needs of institutions.
This is a truly unique and exciting opportunity which will develop you personally and your skills. Previous Associate Trainers have commented on the positive influence that the role has had on them, here are just some of their comments:
“What started as a part-time job when I was studying for my course has led on to so much more";
"Working as an AT for sparqs for over 3 years enabled me to really develop my skills as a trainer; performing this role led directly on to me becoming a college lecturer";
"The AT role is a great job for students as you can fit it round your studies, there are lots of amazing personal development opportunities from sparqs and you get paid to meet lots of lovely students".
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Diverse Voices and Settings
sparqs focuses on supporting all student voices to be heard, and for those voices to have a positive impact on learning, helping ensure all students, whatever their background, can access education, progress and achieve their potential. We identify settings where capturing the student voice will enhance decision-making, particularly where this voice is not currently heard well and where it will help address challenges such as transitions across the learner journey, widening access, and retention and success.
We recognise the positive value of diversity, promoting equality and challenging discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds and with all different kinds of life experiences.
How to apply
You can find a full job description, application form and guidance notes on completing the application form by clicking on the links below. There is also further background information which you may find useful.
Completed application forms should be emailed to admin@sparqs.ac.uk. Please note that we are unable to accept CVs.
Closing date for applications is 9.00am on Monday 20th May 2024.
Interviews will take place during week of 3rd June 2024 by Zoom.
In order to fulfil the role you must be able to attend the residential training event, starting on Tuesday 27th August and finishing Friday 30th August 2024.
- Job Description and Person Specification
- Application Form
- Background Information
- Application Form Guidance Notes
Successful candidates will be subject to a Disclosure Scotland check under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
Queries and further information
If you require further information about sparqs, Course Rep Training or the role of an Associate Trainer please contact Nicola Cameron, Business Manager – nicola.cameron@sparqs.ac.uk or on 07785 626159.
