150 Student Loans Company Jobs Up For Grabs In Huge Recruitment Drive

Massive opportunities are opening up for local people as the Student Loans Company’s Darlington office is looking for motivated and dynamic workers to fill around 150 positions.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has urged job hunters or those looking for a new challenge to take advantage of the chance to work for the organisation, which provides loans and grants to more than two million students annually.

It is seeking new recruits to join the 1,480 staff already based at Darlington’s Lingfield Point, the heart of the operations for the organisation, which boasts a total of 8.5 million customers and manages a huge loan book of almost £180billion.

Applications for current vacancies, which include positions for Customer Advisors and Case Handlers, will close on 30 April. These roles include assisting individuals through their student finance journey by providing information, answering queries and processing student applications as well as being responsible for assessing and processing applications for eligibility and entitlement.

SLC offers a range of brilliant benefits to support its employees to have a good work-life balance, including a blended working model, which is typically three days at home with two days in the office, flexible working and 28 days annual leave, with the option to buy or sell holidays as well. Employees can also access the Civil Service pension scheme, discounted dental insurance and discounts for a wide range of retailers and gym memberships.

Local people are going from strength to strength in the organisation, with Darlington’s Danny Howell, 26, now studying for a Degree Apprenticeship in software development after joining in 2018.

He joined as a Core Assessor before moving to the vulnerable customer team, where his manager supported his interest in computing, with Danny taking on a software developer apprenticeship studying remotely with the University of Roehampton. Once his course is over, he wants to play a central role in the Student Loans Company’s software development team.

Danny said: “I really wanted to develop and build on my knowledge and skills but with family commitments I didn’t think that was an option. Doing an apprenticeship with SLC is the perfect arrangement – I’ve been able to return to education, developing myself in an area I am passionate about, while still earning a salary which my family relies on. If not for this opportunity, I wouldn’t have been able to afford a return to full time study as a conventional student.”

Mayor Houchen visited the Student Loans Company’s office to see first-hand how the organisation operates.

Mayor Houchen said: “The Student Loans Company is a vital organisation that helps to change people’s lives, helping students invest in their futures by going on to achieve through undergraduate and postgraduate study.

“It’s an institution that’s been backing the region and its people for years, with a proven track record of proudly supporting its staff and their personal and professional development. These are good-quality positions that will set people up for a lifetime career.

“It could also open up doors to other roles in the civil service, such as the hundreds of jobs being created at all the Government departments basing themselves at the Darlington Economic Campus.

“Either way, there are huge opportunities for dozens of people right on our doorstep. Whether you’re looking for a change of pace or are just starting out on your career path but want to stay local and go far, I’d urge everyone to take a look at these great roles.”

Chris Larmer, Executive Director, Operations from the Student Loans Company said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Mayor Houchen to our Darlington site, which plays a vital role in processing student finance applications for around 2m students each year. Our current recruitment drive is just one route to joining us at SLC, we also have a range of career opportunities available including apprenticeships as part of our Emerging Talent programmes. I appreciate Mayor Houchen taking the time to learn more about our work and how we are helping to unlock the potential in Darlington and across the Tees Valley.”

To find out more about all of the jobs on offer, visit https://teesvalley.jobs/student-loans-company-jobs

For information on apprenticeship roles, please visit Administrative Assistant Apprentice at findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk