At a Glance
- Tasks: Support creative learning by setting up workshops and maintaining teaching spaces.
- Company: Join a unique arts and education community at West Dean College.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, a pension scheme, and access to amazing facilities.
- Other info: Gain hands-on experience in a stunning heritage setting.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant environment that nurtures creativity and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Organised, adaptable, with a basic understanding of health and safety.
The predicted salary is between 13280 - 13280 £ per year.
West Dean is a truly distinctive place to work, bringing together arts, design, craft, and conservation within a stunning heritage setting. Located in the South Downs near Chichester, the West Dean Estate spans 6,350 acres and is home to West Dean College, award-winning gardens, historic buildings, and a thriving creative community.
The Role
We are excited to offer an opportunity for a proactive and practical Workshop Technician to join our Technical Resources team. This hands‑on role is central to supporting the delivery of courses and conferences by preparing and maintaining workshops, studios, and teaching spaces. Working as part of a technician team, you will set up learning environments, respond to tutor and student requests, and ensure all spaces are safe, organised, and ready for use. You will also play an important role in maintaining health and safety standards, supporting fire safety procedures, and contributing to the smooth day‑to‑day running of the College.
Key Responsibilities
- You will assist with setting up workshops, studios, and conference spaces, preparing materials, furniture, and equipment to a high standard.
- The role includes maintaining cleanliness and organisation of teaching spaces before, during, and after use, as well as safely storing supplies and equipment.
- You will support requests for tools and materials, assist with maintaining and preparing equipment, and contribute to exhibitions and special projects.
- You will also share responsibility for college vehicles, ensuring they are clean, maintained, and fuelled, and undertake driving duties to transport students and materials when required.
- Additional responsibilities include supporting health and safety compliance, assisting with manual handling and COSHH processes, monitoring site security, helping the Estates team with equipment and furniture, and undertaking training such as PAT testing.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking someone who is organised, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities in a busy environment. You should be confident working both independently and as part of a team, with a professional and approachable manner. A basic understanding of health and safety principles is essential, along with a willingness to learn and support a dynamic educational setting. A full manual driving licence is required, and experience driving commercial vehicles would be beneficial. Previous experience setting up workshop or studio environments and working within a similar setting would be an advantage.
Salary and Benefits
Salary: £13,280.80 per annum (£26,561.60 FTE)
Hours: 20 hours per week (0.5 FTE), worked across a flexible two‑week rota, including weekends and bank holidays
Benefits include a generous contributory pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders, cycle to work scheme, free entry to West Dean Gardens, discounts on retail and courses, access to on‑site facilities including swimming pool, library and tennis courts, and subsidised accommodation rates.
Location
West Dean, West Sussex (PO18 0QZ), set within the beautiful South Downs National Park.
Why Join Us
This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a creative and inspiring environment, supporting arts education and events within a prestigious institution. You’ll gain hands‑on experience, work alongside talented colleagues, and contribute to a supportive and collaborative community.
Apply Now
If you are practical, motivated, and ready to play a key role in supporting creative learning spaces, we would love to hear from you. Apply via the West Dean careers site now!
Workshop Technician employer: Novatech Ltd
Contact Detail:
Novatech Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Workshop Technician
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the place! Before your interview, take some time to research West Dean and its creative community. Familiarise yourself with their courses and events so you can show genuine interest and enthusiasm during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Think about the key responsibilities of a Workshop Technician and prepare examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your skills in setting up workshops, maintaining equipment, and ensuring safety standards.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your teamwork! Since this role involves working closely with tutors and students, be prepared to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated in previous roles and how you can contribute to a positive learning environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the West Dean team and contributing to their vibrant community.
We think you need these skills to ace Workshop Technician
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Practical Side: When writing your application, make sure to highlight any hands-on experience you have. We want to see how you've set up workshops or studios before, so share those stories with us!
Be Organised and Clear: Keep your application neat and structured. Use bullet points if needed to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to your skills and experiences.
Demonstrate Your Team Spirit: Since this role involves working closely with others, let us know about your teamwork experiences. Share examples of how you've collaborated in busy environments to get things done.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the Workshop Technician role specifically. Mention how your skills align with our needs, and don’t forget to apply through our website for the best chance!
How to prepare for a job interview at Novatech Ltd
✨Know Your Workshop Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of workshop and studio environments. Be ready to discuss your experience with setting up spaces, maintaining equipment, and ensuring safety standards. This will show that you understand the role and can hit the ground running.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Since this role involves working closely with tutors and students, be prepared to share examples of how you've collaborated in a team setting. Highlight your adaptability and how you manage competing priorities, as these are key traits they’re looking for.
✨Demonstrate Your Safety Savvy
Familiarise yourself with basic health and safety principles relevant to workshop settings. Be ready to discuss any previous experiences you have with COSHH processes or manual handling, as this will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining a safe environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the creative community at West Dean. Inquire about their approach to supporting events and exhibitions, or how they maintain their facilities. This shows your genuine interest in the position and the institution.