Teaching Assistant; Vocational Programmes

Permanent - Full time 37 Hours per week

Practical Support. Real Confidence. Changed Lives.

11 September 2026

Foundation Studies

Full Time

Wigan & Leigh College

£27,467 - £29,876 / year

At Wigan & Leigh College, Great People. Change Lives. This is a hands‑on role supporting students across a range of practical and classroom‑based learning. You will work with teaching staff in workshops, classrooms and practical learning spaces to help learners understand tasks, use equipment safely, stay focussed and build lasting confidence. You might be supporting learners in areas such as art and design, health and social care, hair and beauty, hospitality or any of our vocational programmes.

What matters most is your ability to encourage people, explain things clearly, keep cam when things are difficult and help students to take the next step. This isn’t a traditional Learning Support Assistant Role, it’s about helping students succeed in vocational learning – practically, personally and professionally.

• Help students understand instructions, organise equipment and complete tasks.
• Reinforce safe working practices and professional behaviours.
• Support individuals and small groups in practical learning environments.
• Help students stay focused, prepared and ready to learn.
• Encourage confidence, resilience and independence.
• Support theory lessons and supervise small group activities
• Supervise prepared lesson when needed.
• Promote attendance, punctuality and positive behaviour.
• Work with teaching, pastoral and support to help students succeed.
• Follow safeguarding procedures and reports concerns promptly

• A wealth of experience working with young people and/or vulnerable learners.
• You may have worked in education, training, youth work, care, support work, coaching or other hands‑on environments.
• Strong communication skills with an ability to communicate with learners and colleagues clearly and effectively.
• A calm, patient and resilient attitude that find solutions and role models positive behaviours.

• You are calm, patient, and consistent, with the ability to build positive relationships quickly with young people.
• You understand that behaviour is often a form of communication and respond with empathy, clarity, and firm boundaries.
• You are confident working across a variety of vocational environments and can explain tasks in a simple, accessible way.
• You take pride in helping others succeed, remain resilient when things don’t go to plan, and bring a positive, encouraging presence to learning environments.

• You’ll need an enhanced DBS check.
• You’re committed to safeguarding and inclusion.
• You can travel across sites if required.
• You’re flexible and willing to work beyond standard hours when needed to support the provision.

• A teaching assistant qualification

Wigan & Leigh College sits at the heart of its community. Great People. Change Lives. is how we describe what happens here, and it's how teaching, support, and encouragement shape the futures of students, families, and the region they're part of. You'll join a department where critical thinking and real‑world application are central to teaching, and where students get the time and challenge they need to succeed.

You'll have time to teach well, support students through demanding A level and T Level courses and develop your own practice. You'll see the impact when students leave with the grades, analytical skills, and confidence to take their next step.

• Generous annual leave entitlement, including bank holidays (depending on your role)
• Family-friendly leave policies

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Medicash healthcare plan
• Occupational health support
• Confidential counselling
• Specsavers eye test vouchers
• A culture where people look out for each other

• Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, buy tech)
• Railcard & Tusker Green car scheme
• Local and national discount schemes

• Opportunities to step up, specialise, or move across departments
• Leadership pathways
• Support to gain teaching qualifications