Company: Lakes College West Cumbria
Location: Workington
Posted: May 10th, 2026
Lakes College is seeking a dynamic Head of Department for the Construction Department. In this role, you will ensure that our learners are well-equipped to meet the needs of local employers and that they emerge as confident, skilled professionals ready to make a difference in their fields. You will have high expectations of those around you and will drive continuous improvement and compliance that leads to learners gaining exceptional qualifications, skills and personal progression outcomes.
Working closely with the Assistant Principal and the Directorate middle leader team, this operational leadership post must deliver a high‑performing curriculum team, with our learners' needs and those of our external employer partners placed at the heart of each decision made. Your exceptional leadership and management skills will enable you to secure positive outcomes for learners and your team.
We are seeking someone with managerial potential irrespective of discipline/curriculum area and would welcome applicants who have a curriculum background with experience of curriculum planning, timetabling and supporting staff with evidence‑based teaching practices.
Lakes College is a technical vocational Further Education College delivering education and training to full‑time and part‑time learners and apprentices to degree level. We have a vibrant campus in West Cumbria with state‑of‑the‑art vocational workshops and resources, including the National College for Nuclear Northern Hub. Our mission and purpose are to enable people to recognise and develop their potential. We are a people business and our mission applies equally to our staff team as to our learners and employers. We are a Good college and have ambition to be Outstanding by together developing our culture, standards and expectations. We encourage innovation, collaboration and reflection to lead to new ideas and methods. We gather, evaluate and use data to drive operational improvement.
Lakes College is home to a multi‑million‑pound Construction Skills Centre, equipped with state‑of‑the‑art industry‑standard trade workshops that provide our learners with practical, hands‑on training in real‑world environments. The college recently opened a Green Energy and Skills Centre, placing us at the forefront of delivering training in sustainable technologies and supporting the region's transition to a low‑carbon future. These exceptional facilities ensure our staff and students work in an environment that reflects the very best of modern industry practice. In addition to the beautiful countryside of the Lake District and the Energy Coast, the college boasts a rich heritage and a growing reputation for fine food, hospitality and leisure.
The sector delivers a wide variety of programmes including T levels, Study Programmes, Apprenticeships, adult courses, and project / commercial courses.
If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge to shape the future workforce of West Cumbria and drive excellence in education, we would love to hear from you!
For an informal chat please contact Gary Martin – Assistant Principal garym@lcwc.ac.uk
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