22859 - SPI: Engineering, Welding & Fabrication - HMP Bure

Ministry of Justice; City of Norwich (NY); On-site; USD 38,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Justice is seeking a specialist production instructor to train and supervise prisoners in fabrication and welding within prison workshops. You will deliver nationally recognised qualifications, oversee safety training, and monitor progress against production targets.

The role requires practical experience in production environments with fabrication and welding, plus the ability to work within a secure prison setting, managing tool checks and prisoner roll counts.

Qualifications

• Must have relevant work experience in production to include fabricating and welding (CNC experience desirable).
• Supervisory experience is preferred.
• Experience using industrial machinery and equipment is required.

Responsibilities

• Meet production targets and ensure finished goods are sent to the national distribution centre.
• Maintain high quality and adhere to specifications and QA processes.
• Train prisoners in health and safety, COSHH, and machinery usage.
• Order raw materials in advance to meet production schedules.
• Set daily work schedules for prisoners under supervision.
• Ensure all machinery is well-maintained and serviced as needed.
• Select and assess prisoners for the workshop and record progress.

Skills

Fabrication

Welding

Supervisory experience

CNC machinery

Quality control

Health & safety COSHH

Reading technical drawings

Education

Level 3 Engineering related production

Tools

Industrial machinery

CNC machines

Metalworking equipment

Measuring tools

Job description

Our prisons have industry-standard engineering workshops across the estate which manufacture products for the Prison Service as well as other government departments.

Typical products manufactured includes metal beds, in cell bins, staff and visitor lockers, bespoke staircases, storage pallets, chairs, fence posts and anti-drone window grills.

Our workshops are well equipped with modern machinery including CNC machines, laser punches, tube benders, welding stations, and powder coat plants.

As a specialist production instructor in fabricating and welding, you will be responsible for using your knowledge and experience to train and supervise the prisoners in the workshop so that they undertake the manufacturing work required to meet production targets.

This is an opportunity to genuinely change lives of prisoners – imparting your knowledge and enabling prisoners to develop a strong work ethic, on the job skills, and a passion for the work that they do. Developing new employable skills, a thirst for knowledge and a structured working day is key to reducing reoffending by supporting post-release employment.

You will be responsible for delivering nationally recognised qualifications to prisoners where relevant, ensuring that the course content is covered and that progress is recorded. Support is given as required.

Within the prison environment you will be responsible for maintaining control of prisoners under your supervision, as well as following all relevant security processes such as using a radio and security, undertaking tool checks and maintaining a prisoner roll count.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties

• Ensure that production targets are met and all finished goods are sent to the national distribution centre
• Ensure that all goods manufactured are to a high standard, meet the specifications provided, and appropriate quality assurance processes are in place
• Ensure that prisoners are trained in all aspect of health and safety, COSHH where applicable, and machinery and tools usage
• Order all required raw materials in good time for production
• Set a daily schedule of work for the prisoners that you are responsible for
• Ensure all machinery is in good working order and arrange for servicing and repair as required

Administration and Security

• Assist with the selection of prisoners for the workshop
• Assess and evaluate skills of prisoners up to national qualification standards, ensuring that all individual needs are considered
• You will be given thorough training in all aspects of prison security and how to maintain a safe, secure workshop which may include pat down searching of prisoners and/or using a metal detector wand
• Supervise and maintain discipline of prisoners within workshop/area of work, responsible for performance, motivation, discipline, appraisal and development of prisoners
• Complete all relevant paperwork relating to prisoners including pay, attendance, training records and parole board contributions

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

Skills test

Candidates who submit a CV which is considered suitable will be invited to a tour of the workshop and will be asked to undertake a live skills test to include a live welding test. All PPE will be provided. An informal interview will also take place with the recruiting manager and a member of the national prison industries engineering team.

Experience

• Must have relevant work experience in a production environment to include fabricating and welding. CNC experience is also highly desirable
• Preferable for candidate to have some supervisory experience
• Should have experience of using industrial standard machinery and equipment

Technical requirements

• Currently hold or be prepared to work towards Level 3 or equivalent in Engineering related production
• The ability to read, understand and work from technical drawings