Construction Teaching Assistant in Reading

Salary: Salary negotiable and based on experience

Type: Full Time, Permanent, All-year-round

Would you like to support young people in building real-world, hands‑on skills for their future? Are you confident supporting practical learning and reinforcing vocational tasks in a construction‑based setting? We’re looking for a Construction Teaching Assistant to join our friendly and committed team at New Meaning Training Berkshire. This is a curriculum‑focused role, ideal for someone who enjoys working with young people and has a passion for helping them develop skills in construction and related trades. This is a great opportunity to join a dynamic alternative education provider where we specialise in supporting young people aged 15–25 who haven’t thrived in mainstream education. Our learners are working towards practical qualifications, functional skills, and personal development goals – and they need someone like you to help keep them on track.

Key responsibilities:

• Support tutors in the delivery of vocational construction training (e.g., carpentry, tiling, painting & decorating, multi‑trades).
• Reinforce learning by working 1:1 or with small groups to support progress through the curriculum.
• Encourage learners to develop practical skills through hands‑on activities and workshop tasks.
• Assist in maintaining a safe and engaging learning environment, helping learners follow H&S expectations in a workshop setting.
• Help tutors adapt tasks to meet individual learning needs.
• Keep records of learner progress and engagement, contributing to reviews and next steps planning.
• Work in line with NMT’s safeguarding, behaviour, and support policies.
• Support learners with organisation, attendance, motivation, and soft skills such as teamwork and communication.

About Us:

New Meaning Training (NMT) offers education with a difference. We are a 16‑training and education provider dedicated to helping young people aged 16–25 discover their strengths and develop the confidence and skills to earn their own living. This academic year New Meaning Training has 300 young people from Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, and Berkshire. Many of these learners are referred by secondary schools, pupil referral units, and Special Education Needs settings. Our journey began in 2015 with the opening of our first centre in High Wycombe, originally known as “Toolshed.” Ten years on, NMT continues to grow. In Berkshire we’re fortunate enough to have expanded into a second building in Reading to create a quieter space for Creative Art & Design, Achieve Life skills and Transition learners. And in our main building we have Construction Multi‑skills, Sports and Boost Work skills. All incorporate functional skills qualifications in Maths and English, along with tutorials and enrichment sessions to support our well‑rounded approach. We also provide a “Transition Support” programme for young people with EHCPs who are not yet ready for a learning setting. NMT tailors its programmes to meet the needs of its learners, considering Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. We comprehensively apply the principles of a Loving Care Approach (Trauma Informed Practice) to ensure all young people receive the support they need to thrive.

Why work for New Meaning Training?

• Generous annual leave: 20 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Up to 10 additional “gifted” days off each year (taken during school holiday periods).
• Annual leave increases with length of service, up to a maximum of 24 days.
• Pension: Autoenrolment into The People’s Pension – enrolment into The People’s Pension 5% employee contribution with 3% employer contribution.
• Blue Light Card: Access to hundreds of national discounts (retail, food, travel, days out). Admin fee fully reimbursed by NMT.
• Service recognition: Additional annual leave as a thank you for long service – you Gift rewards at key milestones (e.g. 5 and 10 years).
• Annual flu vaccination voucher (paid for by NMT).
• Birthday gift voucher to celebrate your day.
• Cycle to Work scheme (salary sacrifice).
• Electric Vehicle scheme via Octopus Energy (salary sacrifice).
• Green Travel to Work initiatives with rewards for taking part.
• Strong focus on staff wellbeing, development, and collaboration.
• Training and CPD supported as part of your role.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in young people’s lives.

How to Apply & Safeguarding:

To apply, please visit newmeaning.training/careers. To be considered for this role, you must fill in our mandatory online application form and attach a CV to complete your submission. New Meaning Training is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and adhere to our safeguarding and professional conduct policies.

Checks: This post involves regulated activity and is subject to an Enhanced DBS check (including a Children’s Barred List check) and satisfactory professional references. Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA): This role is exempt from the ROA 1974. Applicants must disclose all convictions and cautions that are not ‘protected’ under the Exceptions Order 1975 (as amended 2013 and 2020). For guidance on which offences are ‘filtered’ and do not need to be disclosed, please refer to the DBS filtering guide.

You will have:

• A practical mindset and hands‑on experience in construction or a related trade (formal qualifications not essential).
• Confidence in supporting young people to complete workshop tasks or practical assignments.
• Familiarity with a range of SEN needs, ideally with some experience of working with young people with additional needs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, especially in supporting 15–25‑year‑olds.
• A proactive, encouraging attitude with good teamwork skills.
• Basic IT literacy (Microsoft 365).
• A full UK driving licence is desirable but not essential.