Invest in your talent

Head of Apprenticeships and Foundation Studies

After graduating with a first-class honour’s degree in English Literature from the Open University, Jo progressed into teaching at a Further Education college in Dorset. She went on to achieve a PGCE and QTS via the Graduate Teacher Programme, followed by a Master's Degree in English literature, again from the Open University.

Jo then worked in 2 secondary schools in the south of England, where she had responsibility for raising attainment and managing whole-school progress in English and MFL. Whilst teaching English in schools, Jo gained a Master's degree in Teaching and Learning (with distinction) from Canterbury Christ Church University, prompting a professional move into teacher training.

Jo and her family moved back to Lancashire in 2013, and she spent four years at Bolton College as Curriculum Leader for Education and Teacher Training, Science and Humanities. In 2017, Jo joined the School of Education at the University of Bolton as a Senior Lecturer, with responsibility for Initial Teacher Training for secondary and further education programmes. In 2024, Jo moved into a new role at the University, as Head of Apprenticeships and Foundation Studies, drawing on her experiences of working in external quality assurance in the Further Education sector.

Apprenticeship Administrator

Olivia started her journey with apprenticeships in 2017 when she began her Business Administration apprenticeship with city and guilds while working in a HE college. Since then, she has gained experience in the education sector before she returned to her apprenticeship roots and became part of the University of Bolton apprenticeship team where she continues to support apprentices and their employers.

Apprenticeship Administrator

Adam joined The University of Bolton as an Administrator in March 2023. He previously worked at Bolton Council for 20 years in a range of roles in the library sector. This developed his customer services skills and allowed him to gain experience in a variety of areas.

As a member of the Central Apprenticeship Team, he provides an administrative service for a range of apprenticeship programmes having primary responsibility for ACP, AP, Dental and Youth Work. Including support for sign up documentation, liaison with admissions and apprenticeship employers, ensuring full compliance to the ESFA guidelines with the sign-up requirements as laid down within the funding regulations. Alongside this he is a central point of contact for any employer, potential students and staff for any apprenticeship needs.

Apprenticeship Systems Project Coordinator

Charlotte graduated with a BSC Hons in Psychology in 2009, while completing her degree Charlotte began her career the hospitality sector for 9 years working in a variety of roles including management. In 2015 Charlotte moved over to the apprenticeship sector working as a work-based tutor in the hospitality sector for an independent training provider, during her time there she achieved her L3 Education and Training qualification as well as her CAVA qualification.

Charlotte moved to the University of Bolton in November 2023 as the apprenticeship systems project coordinator. In this role Charlotte is supporting the schools and programme leads with the role out of the new Aptem system, ensuring the smooth start-up of the new system. Charlotte has been working with the teams to create the framework to ensure the functionality and compliance of the system.

Compliance Officer

Ehlana is the Compliance Officer within the Central Apprenticeship Team. This entails assisting with the management and maintenance of apprenticeship compliance standards and processes in line with ESFA funding regulations. This includes completing internal audits on documentation to ensure that all learner files are up to date and correct, and producing monitoring statistics based on the findings of these audits.

In order to manage and maintain accurate records, Ehlana monitors changes and developments to apprenticeship requirements that could impact apprenticeship provision. Where required, she ensures any changes to documentation and processes are made and implemented in a timely manner.

She also ensures learner change in circumstances, such as Breaks in Learning, Change of Employers, and Withdrawals, are accurately recorded within individual learner profiles so that all records demonstrate the correct information for the learners.

Apprenticeship Administrator

Kathryn graduated with a BSc (hons) degree and after working in retail, she joined the University of Bolton in 2006, originally working on various UK and European funded projects. Following on from this, she worked in the Research and Graduate School dealing with PhD applications and coordinating assessments. Now working in the Central Apprenticeships Team, she contributes to the effective operation of administrative functions in support of apprenticeship programmes in liaison with a wide range of internal and external agencies. Kathryn actively collaborates with academic and professional colleagues to ensure that an excellent quality of provision of administrative services is achieved and maintained at all times. To contribute to a complex range of activities to maximise resource utilisation and added value.

Apprenticeship Admissions and Employer Engagement Coordinator

Mel joined The University of Bolton Central Apprenticeship team in September 2023 as Admissions and Employer Engagement Coordinator, bringing over a decade of experience in education and business development. Before joining the university, she spent 13 years at Bolton College, specialising in Business Development for Construction. Mel’s career journey also includes diverse roles at Royal Mail, where she served as a Project Manager and Finance Manager, gaining valuable skills and insights along the way. With a solid foundation in both education and corporate sectors, Mel brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her current role in apprenticeship coordination and development.

Apprenticeships Data Compliance and ILR Officer

Shameela is currently working as part of the compliance team for the Central Apprenticeship Team at the University of Bolton. Her role focuses on the data compliance aspects in line with the ESFA (Education, Skills and Funding Agency) funding regulations and she manages all data aspects associated with the University's statutory ILR return.

Shameela graduated with a first-class honours degree in BSc (Hons) Business Information Systems. With over 16 years' experience working for Bolton Council within corporate finance in the policy and quality team, housing benefits and council tax assessment and business rates before moving into the field of data management and administration within the education sector, at the University of Salford (Freedom of Information Act project, 2001) and various Schools.

Before joining the Central Apprenticeship Team, Shameela worked within the Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions Division at the University where she assisted with the appointment of overseas agent contracts and coordinated international agent commissions and invoice payments. She supported the division in preparing briefing documents on behalf of the University for external agencies and contributed to the operational activities of the admissions function.

Apprenticeship EPA Officer

Tahmi brings a wealth of expertise as the Apprenticeship EPA Officer at the University, where she organises the End Point Assessment (EPA) process in alignment with the IFATE assessment plans. In this pivotal role, Tahmi is instrumental in supporting Programme Teams through the EPA process, supporting and tracking learners in the lead up to the EPA and guiding them through to the attainment of their final apprenticeship award whilst meticulously ensuring that all areas of quality and compliance are met.

Prior to joining the university, Tahmi gained skills through diverse administrative and customer service roles spanning across several industries -from Travel and Tourism to Manufacturing, Law, Retail, and Health. In 2019 the university welcomed Tahmi as an administrator for Apprenticeships. In September 2023, Tahmi was successful in gaining the position of EPA Officer. Tahmi’s knowledge and understanding of the apprenticeship process makes her an invaluable asset to the university's Central Apprenticeship Team.

Apprenticeship Data Systems Officer

Namal has a proven track record in diversified roles serving more than 16+ years in developing, managing and implementing mid/enterprise level industries with technologies successfully. He studied Applied Computing and achieved a degree from the University of Northumbria and went on to complete a masters in Data Analytics and Technologies at University of Bolton and achieved a Distinction before joining the apprenticeship team. Namal is responsible for providing essential data analytics and information to support the apprenticeship team and employers.

Apprenticeship Quality Manager

Lauren has worked in Further Education and Higher Education for over 14 years, specifically within apprenticeship provision. In this time Lauren has gained experience in work-based training, teaching and in more recent years quality assurance or apprenticeships.

Lauren has led on various projects and processes around the quality assurance of apprenticeships, implementing these successfully whilst also taking part in various quality assurance visits from external stakeholders such as Ofsted.

Lauren now manages the Apprenticeship Quality Team at The University of Bolton ensuring that the University complies with Ofsted requirements under the Education Inspection Framework, OfS External Quality Assurance requirements in relation to End Point Assessment of Apprenticeships and also Employer Engagement.

Lauren has a Professional Diploma in Education and BA Honours Degree in Early Childhood Studies.

Head of Apprenticeships Quality and Compliance

Lynda Farrell has over 20 years’ experience within Apprenticeships both within FE and HEI’s, and has extensive knowledge of the sector. Lynda is skilled in operational management and has led teams within a variety of occupational areas, predominantly within the health areas and engineering but her experiences also extend to Early Years, Hair and Beauty, Dental Nursing and Hospitality. She has successfully led large teams within these sectors focusing on the learner experience and quality which has consequently resulted in high achievement rates and positive Ofsted results.

Lynda is an experienced teacher and enjoys coaching and developing other professionals within the apprenticeship arena through supportive and developmental strategies. She is an experienced coach and particularly enjoys supporting inexperienced middle managers.

Lynda has considerable experience of Ofsted inspections and the Education Inspection Framework, and supports colleagues in preparation and ensuring learners receive the quality of education they deserve through robust quality measures. Lynda is also fully conversant in the ESFA funding rules and can implement compliance procedures that will meet audit requirements.