Vocational Instructor

Novus Gower; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative organization is seeking a passionate Vocational Instructor to support practical learning within a prison environment. This role offers a unique opportunity to mentor individuals, helping them develop skills that enhance their employability post-release. With a focus on small class sizes and dedicated support, you will play a crucial role in fostering positive change and rehabilitation. Join a committed team that values flexibility and innovation in education while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Extensive annual leave (33 days)

In-house training program

Good progression routes

Health care discounts

Retail discounts

Cycle to Work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in vocational training and mentoring essential.
• Commitment to gain qualifications within specified time frames.

Responsibilities

• Mentor learners to develop practical skills for employment.
• Deliver training in a secure prison environment.

Skills

Vocational Training

Mentoring

Patience

Literacy and Numeracy

Education

Level 1 Qualification in Literacy and Numeracy

PTLLS Qualification

Assessor Award

Job description

Are you a hands-on, problem-solving expert with a passion for vocational education? We're looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Vocational Instructor to join our innovative team! If you have a knack for supporting practical learning, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and enjoy working closely with both students and educators, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Bring your technical expertise, energy, and passion for learning to a role where you'll help shape the future of vocational training and make a real impact every day!

We have a great opportunity available to join Novus Gower, our prison education provider at HMP Parc, working as a Vocational Instructor/Trainer. This is for 40 hours per week on a 6-month fixed term, full-time basis. The ability to deliver the Construction Skills Certification Scheme is desirable, but not essential.

Who are Novus Gower?

At Novus Gower, we work with passion, care, and commitment to create the foundations for change. We have been supporting men, women and children of all ages and abilities within prison educational settings across England and Wales for decades. We operate numerous hubs across the United Kingdom, where our specialist teams are on hand to support Adults and Children to improve their employability prospects post-release.

Site Information

HMP Parc Prison is a Category B men's prison located in Bridgend, Wales. The prison accommodates individuals who have been convicted of various offenses requiring secure custody and rehabilitation. The prisons aim is to create an environment in which staff and prisoners feel safe at all times. The prison's mission is to provide a secure, safe, and rehabilitative environment that encourages positive change and prepares inmates for a successful reintegration into society.

Role Responsibilities

In this role, you will work and be supported by our amazing team of dedicated professionals to mentor our learners to develop their practical skills which will, in turn, help them to secure employment opportunities post-release. You will need patience, passion and understanding in your approach to our learners who have 'hit a bump in the road' but want to learn and improve.

Working in a prison is different to a mainstream education facility. We operate with security at the forefront of what we do, so our class sizes are small to maximise supportive delivery. To aid this, you will be supported by Learning Support Practitioners who will support with one to ones when required. Our security team are on hand to ensure the lessons run smoothly and we always try to cater to a learner's individual needs to ensure we create a positive learner experience. Time will be given to planning and your local education manager is always on hand to provide support as and when needed. Delivery happens between Monday and Friday and weekends are strictly for rest and relaxation.

Please see the attached role profile for an overview of general role responsibilities. Specific details pertaining to the nature of the role are shared during the interview process.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

To succeed in the role of Vocational Instructor, you will need to:

Essential - Level 1 (minimum entry level)

• Have a suitable level of experience in the relevant vocational area
• Be willing to gain PTLLS within 6 months
• Show commitment to gain a subject-specific qualification, allowing training to Level 3 standard within 2 years
• Show commitment to gain an assessor award required by relevant Awarding Bodies within one year (if applicable)
• Hold at least a Level 1 qualification in Literacy and Numeracy or be willing to commit to gaining the qualification(s) within 1 year

Desirable Level 2 (minimum for progression to Level 2 salary)

• Hold a qualification to allow the delivery of accreditation in the relevant vocational area to Level 3
• Hold an Assessor award required by Awarding Bodies, if relevant
• Hold PTLLS qualification
• To hold or commit to gain an Internal Verifier award within 1 year (dependent upon course accreditation requirements)
• Hold at least a Level 1 qualification in Literacy and Numeracy
• Hold at least a Level 2 qualification in Literacy and Numeracy or be willing to commit to gaining the qualification(s) within 1 year
• The ability to deliver the Construction Skills Certification Scheme is desirable, but not essential.

Benefits

As part of the Novus Gower family, colleagues benefit from an excellent package including:

• Extensive annual leave which can be taken throughout the year and not restricted to school holiday times (33 days, inclusive of bank holidays FTE)
• Monday to Friday working pattern
• Our in-house 'Evolve' training programme, which offers you the chance to upskill and further your career through a wide range of recognised qualifications
• Full package of training to support working in a Prison environment
• Good progression routes into management positions within education
• Learner class sizes are much smaller than in FE colleges
• Able to be flexible and innovative with the curriculum
• Part of the wider community of the prison service
• Additional behavioural and complex need support
• Aviva Auto enrolments pension scheme
• Our comprehensive in-house awards scheme
• An Employee Assistance Programme including a free, confidential, 24/7 support service
• Health care discounts through Simply Health
• Retail discounts through You at Work
• Our Cycle to Work scheme

Safeguarding

Novus Gower is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants will be required to undergo an appropriate DBS check via the Criminal Records Bureau. Due to the educational aspect of our group some roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and would require an Enhanced DBS check and may be subject to additional online checks as part of our pre-screening process.

Equal Opportunities Statement

Novus Gower is an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from all sections of the community. We work to support our Veterans in employment and are also proud holders of the Disability Confident employer award. If you have reasonable adjustments, please let us know.

The closing date for this job advert is 06/06/2025. However, sometimes the job advert may close early if we receive a good response!