Metal Manufacturing Workshop Instructor

We’re looking for a hands-on Manufacturing Instructor to run our busy prison workshop – a space where metal goods are produced to real-world standards and prisoners build skills for employment and rehabilitation.

You’ll lead the day-to-day operations of the workshop, ensuring work is delivered safely, efficiently, and to a high standard. That means managing schedules, setting production targets, and supervising quality control. But more than that, you’ll be responsible for the development of the people working on the shop floor – guiding prisoners through training, helping them understand the value of teamwork and discipline, and supporting them to build skills that count on the outside.

You’ll work closely with the prison’s Work & Skills Coaches to link workshop learning with employability outcomes and deliver warehousing qualifications where relevant. Every day you’ll balance productivity with people – supporting safe working practices while promoting responsibility, growth, and positive behaviour.

What you’ll be doing:

Inducting new prisoners into the workshop with a strong focus on health, safety, and tool control

Leading daily workshop activities and managing work schedules

Setting clear quality standards and overseeing production output

Supporting individuals to develop practical skills and soft skills

Embedding employability principles into day-to-day operations

Working in line with restorative practices to build a positive working culture

Carrying out regular health and safety checks and Level A and B security searches

Keeping accurate records of attendance, pay, progress, and incidents

Working closely with staff across the prison to support prisoner development

Managing materials, stock, and orders to keep production running smoothly

What you’ll bring:

Experience in a manufacturing or industrial setting

Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and supervise others

A solid understanding of health and safety and risk assessment procedures

Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail

A proactive approach to supporting employability and personal development

Awareness of prison security procedures (training will be given)

Confidence in using restorative approaches to support behaviour and growth

It’s a bonus if you have:

A qualification in manufacturing, warehousing, or industrial operations

An Assessors or TAQA qualification

Previous experience working in a custodial or educational setting

This is a unique opportunity to use your practical experience to make a real impact – supporting rehabilitation through skilled, structured work in a busy, real-life manufacturing environment.

Who We Are

Here at People Plus, we make a positive difference to people’s lives – every single day.

We use our experience to support hundreds of thousands of people each year. Our committed teams work across Britain to deliver a range of public services, including employment support, skills training, independent living, prison education, starting a business, and support to help employers grow.

To put it simply, we:

Support people to find and keep jobs

Help people to set up their own businesses

Deliver skills training to further people’s careers

Work with employers to build a skilled and happy workforce

Rehabilitate people with convictions

Tackle the root causes of offending

Help people to live independently

Support carers

We are extremely proud to be a Silver accredited Investors in People organisation. This means that at PeoplePlus, the right principles are in place but more than that, it means our people and leaders are making active efforts to make sure that there’s real consistency and everyone in the organisation can feel the effects.