_{09th September, 2026}

Technical Assessor – Port Operative Location: Middlesbrough / Teesside
Salary: £33,504 – £42,199 per annum
Contract: Permanent, Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week
Annual Leave: 30 days plus Bank Holidays
Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme

Are you an experienced Port Operative looking to use your industry knowledge in a role where you can help develop the next generation of professionals?
Think FE is working with a well-established and forward-thinking further education college in Middlesbrough to recruit a Technical Assessor – Port Operative.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with hands-on experience in ports, logistics or cargo operations who would like to move into apprenticeship assessment and training. Previous assessing experience is useful, but you do not necessarily need to already hold an assessor qualification, as there is an opportunity to work towards one.
The role You will work with apprentices employed within the ports and logistics sector, supporting them to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to successfully complete their apprenticeship.
Drawing on your own industry experience, you will assess learners within the workplace, provide constructive feedback and help them progress towards successful completion.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing a caseload of apprentices and supporting them throughout their programme
• Assessing occupational competence, practical skills, knowledge and behaviours
• Carrying out workplace visits, assessments and progress reviews
• Completing learner enrolments, inductions and initial assessments
• Identifying individual learning needs and appropriate development opportunities
• Providing coaching, guidance and constructive feedback
• Monitoring learner progress and ensuring apprentices remain on track
• Building positive relationships with employers and workplace supervisors
• Maintaining accurate assessment and learner records
• Ensuring assessment activity meets apprenticeship, awarding organisation and funding requirements
• Supporting the continued development and growth of apprenticeship provision

What we're looking for We're particularly interested in hearing from applicants with substantial practical experience working within a port environment.
Your background could include:

• Loading and unloading cargo
• Cargo handling and movement
• Port or terminal operations
• Operating port equipment or machinery
• Warehousing and logistics within a port environment
• Following operational health and safety procedures
• Supporting, coaching or training colleagues within the workplace

You should also have:

• A Level 3 qualification, or equivalent industry qualification, within a relevant vocational discipline
• Level 2 Maths and English or equivalent Functional Skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Good organisation and time-management abilities
• Confidence working independently and managing your own workload
• The ability to motivate and develop apprentices from a range of backgrounds

A TAQA, CAVA, A1 Assessor Award or equivalent assessor qualification would be advantageous. However, applicants who do not currently hold an assessor qualification can be considered if they are willing to work towards one.
Experience of formally teaching or assessing within a college is not essential if you can demonstrate strong occupational experience and an ability to coach, mentor, train or develop others.
Why consider this opportunity? This is an opportunity to move away from purely operational port work while still making use of the experience and expertise you have built throughout your career.
You'll be joining a large further education provider in Teesside with a strong focus on technical education, apprenticeships and employer-led training.
The package includes:

• £33,504 – £42,199 salary
• 30 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Professional development and funded CPD opportunities
• Training and mentoring
• Career progression opportunities
• Free gym membership
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 24/7 counselling support
• Flexible and family-friendly working policies
• Paid volunteering days
• Retail and restaurant discounts
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Salary sacrifice schemes
• Discounted onsite parking

If you've spent your career working in ports or logistics and would now like to pass that experience on to others, this could be a very rewarding next step.
Next steps Once you've applied, one of our friendly further education consultants will give you a call to discuss this opportunity. The college will move quickly for the right applicant, and they have a simple and concise interview process. Think FE Ltd. are acting as an employment business for this position. Working for/with Think FE Ltd. is subject to agreement to our Terms and Conditions.
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