Textiles Technician

Dovetail and Slate; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist education recruitment company is seeking a full-time Textiles Technician near York. This position involves leading a textiles workshop in a prison, engaging learners in creative activities such as crafting and upcycling. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in crafting, leadership experience, and relevant qualifications. The role offers generous annual leave and a range of employee benefits within a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Paid Life event day

Cycle to work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced Maternity scheme

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Qualifications

• Experience in crafting, upcycling, or production work in a supervisory role.
• Awareness of health, safety, and security protocols in a custodial environment.
• Compassionate and patient approach to supporting diverse individuals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a textiles workshop.
• Engage learners in creative rehabilitation activities.
• Collaborate with colleagues to deliver structured workshops.

Skills

Crafting

Leadership

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Teaching strategies

Education

Five GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above including English Language and Mathematics

Degree or professional qualification appropriate to the work

Recognised Teaching Qualification

Job description

Overview

Ever considered working in a prison?
It might not be what you expect - in fact, it could be one of the most rewarding and meaningful roles you\'ll ever take on.

For many in custody, education offers hope, structure, and a chance to rebuild. For you, it offers the chance to be part of that transformation - every single day.

In this role you\'ll be part of a close-knit team, working face-to-face with both colleagues and learners. You\'ll benefit from clear boundaries between work and home life, with no working from home allowed. That means NO MARKING, NO PLANNING in your weekends or evenings.

Prisons have dedicated education departments, complete with classrooms and fully-equipped workshops where learning takes place. Despite the challenges of the environment, you\'ll be supported every step of the way by an experienced education team, with access to ongoing training and professional development.

Details of this position:

This position is for a full time Textiles Technician in prison education.

The role is based near York, in a brand new prison.

We are looking for a passionate textiles professional to lead an inspiring rehabilitation program within the prison setting.

By engaging in creative activities such as furniture upcycling, handmade crafts, and sewing garments for charitable causes, the workshop provides a safe, inclusive environment where participants can build confidence, learn new skills, and find renewed purpose.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a textiles workshop within a prison education setting.
• Engage learners in creative activities (furniture upcycling, crafts, sewing) to support rehabilitation goals.
• Collaborate with colleagues to plan and deliver structured workshops and programs.
• Ensure a safe, inclusive learning environment and comply with health, safety, and security protocols.
• Maintain workshop schedules, stock, and reporting.

Qualifications and Skills

• Experience in crafting, upcycling, or production work, especially in a supervisory, leadership or instructional role.
• Strong organisational skills to manage workshop schedules, stock, and reporting effectively.
• A compassionate, patient, and inclusive approach to supporting individuals with diverse needs.
• Awareness of health, safety, and security protocols, preferably in a custodial or structured environment.
• Five GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent), including English Language and Mathematics
• A Degree, or professional qualification appropriate to the work.
• Teaching Qualification with a recognised Teaching Qualification
• Knowledge and experience of current teaching and learning strategies
• Excellent team working, communication and interpersonal skills

Suitable candidates will need to be enthusiastic, resilient and have a humanistic approach. This role will not be for everyone, but anyone with a slight interest is encouraged to apply and if suitable, you will have the opportunity to have a discussion with the hiring manager directly over the phone, who can provide more detail and an insight into life working in a prison.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• A paid Life event day each year
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to hundreds of discounts via the Additions portal
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to online wellbeing centre
• A paid volunteering day each year
• Enhanced Maternity scheme
• Sharesave scheme
• Refer a Friend reward scheme
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Pension scheme
• Life assurance

If you are interested in this position, please apply via the link. Alternatively, you can contact Izzy to discuss the role in further detail. (phone number removed) or (phone number removed)

If this vacancy is not of interest to you at this time, but you happen to know someone who might be suitable and interested, please kindly pass these details on to them.

The successful candidate will be required to obtain the appropriate prison clearance before starting the role and maintain this throughout employment.

Important Notice

Dovetail and Slate is a specialist education recruitment company. If this role isn\'t quite right, we welcome your CV and a call to explore other opportunities.

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Dovetail and Slate Ltd phone number removed acts as an Employment Agency and an Employment Business under the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003.

We are an equal opportunities employer. By applying, you consent to your data being processed for recruitment purposes in line with our Privacy Policy.

Because education matters. Dovetail and Slate Limited phone number removed acts as an Employment Agency.