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- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team to deliver impactful vocational training in a prison setting.
- Company: Join a dedicated education team focused on rehabilitation and personal growth.
- Benefits: Generous leave, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Teaching qualification and significant vocational teaching experience required.
- Other info: Engaging role with no evening planning or weekend marking.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Job Description
Ever thought about leading education in a prison?It might not be what you expect – and it could be the most purposeful and inspiring step in your career.
For many people in custody, learning essential skills like English, maths, and ICT isn't just about qualifications – it's about confidence, self-worth, and a second chance. As our Vocational Curriculum Manager, you'll be at the heart of that journey, helping shape a curriculum that changes lives.
You'll lead a team of passionate tutors, manage quality and compliance, and make sure every learner gets the support they need to succeed. You won't be on your own – you'll be part of a dedicated, on-site education team with access to professional development, peer support, and the structure that prison-based work brings.
No evening planning. No weekend marking. Just meaningful work, Monday to Friday.Step into a role that challenges you, supports you, and makes a real difference – every day.
Details of this position:
This position is for a Vocational Curriculum Manager (Construction, Trades, Hospitality etc)in prison education.
Through focused teaching across trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, catering, and construction, this role empowers learners to gain essential skills for life beyond custody. The curriculum supports rehabilitation by helping individuals achieve recognised qualifications and develop a renewed sense of purpose.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, design, and oversee a broad range of practical training programmes across trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, catering, and construction, ensuring they reflect learner needs and support progression.
- Lead on quality assurance activities – including lesson observations, data reviews, and improvement plans – to raise teaching standards and learner achievement.
- Manage and inspire a team of vocational tutors and instructors, supporting their professional development and fostering a positive, high-performing workplace culture.
- Ensure compliance with awarding body standards, coordinating internal verification and moderation processes.
- Implement inclusive teaching practices, using learner data to personalise support and help every learner succeed.
- Oversee vocational resources and contribute to effective budget planning and management.
- Work collaboratively with prison services, internal teams, and external partners to strengthen delivery and open up new progression routes for learners.
Work schedule: Full time 38.5 hours per week
Salary scale: Up to £40,000 per annum
Annual leave: 25 days per annum
To be considered, suitable candidates will need to meet the following criteria:
- A teaching qualification (essential)
- Significant vocational teaching experience
- Proven experience in curriculum development and change
- Strong leadership and staff management 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, then please apply via the link. Alternatively, you can contact Izzy to discuss the role in further detail. ( or )
If this vacancy is not of interest to you at this time, but you happen to know someone who might be suitable and interested, then 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 (11351060) 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 (11351060) acts as an Employment Agency.
Training Manager employer: Dovetail & Slate
Contact Detail:
Dovetail & Slate Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Training Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education sector, especially those involved in prison education. Attend events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues and share your passion for making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Research the organisation and understand their mission. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in vocational training and rehabilitation.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've managed teams and improved teaching standards in the past. Use specific examples to illustrate your impact on learners' success.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly for more info about the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Training Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for education and helping others shine through. We want to see why you're excited about the role and how you can make a difference in learners' lives.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that match the job description. We love seeing how your background aligns with our mission, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for the Vocational Curriculum Manager role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you one step closer to joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dovetail & Slate
✨Know Your Curriculum Inside Out
Make sure you’re familiar with the vocational curriculum relevant to the role. Understand how it supports rehabilitation and what specific skills learners will gain. This knowledge will help you articulate your vision for the programme during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach and how you inspire and manage a team of tutors. Share examples of how you've fostered a positive workplace culture and supported professional development in previous roles.
✨Emphasise Compliance and Quality Assurance
Highlight your experience with quality assurance activities, lesson observations, and compliance with awarding body standards. Be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented improvements based on data reviews and feedback.
✨Demonstrate Your Humanistic Approach
This role requires resilience and empathy. Prepare to share stories that illustrate your humanistic approach to education, especially in challenging environments. Show how you can connect with learners and support their personal growth.
