At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development and management of vocational training for Officers in the SPS.
- Company: Join the Scottish Prison Service, committed to professional growth and learning.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, attractive pension, free gym access, and discounts at popular stores.
- Other info: Opportunities for personal and professional development in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in vocational training while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Undergraduate degree or equivalent, with experience in vocational training design and management.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 44000 £ per year.
The Vocational Training Theme Lead will be responsible for developing and overseeing ongoing professional training and development for Officers within the SPS, with a primary focus on the implementation and management of a new Vocational Qualification (whilst maintaining current interim provisions) and working with establishments on creating and coordinating a standardised mentoring framework.
You will be responsible for the development, delivery, management, and evaluation of vocational training. You will ensure that its provisions are robust and linked to quality assurance systems and processes, coordinating across the College and wider SPS at an initial stage to develop training and organisational needs analyses, and leading on design governance. This will then be followed by ongoing compliance management: maintaining internal and external standards, regulatory requirements, and awarding body expectations, whilst supporting educational integrity and continuous improvement.
You will have overall responsibility for the design, delivery, and assessment of training and teaching materials, as well as the progression of learners and management of standards within your theme. This will involve line management responsibility for a number of Learning and Development (L&D) Managers.
You will maintain your workstream in line with internal College strategy, as well as maintaining consistency with wider SPS policy and organisational developments. As your workstreams will contain wider strategic project working and partnership collaboration, you will be expected to demonstrate strong organisational, problem-solving, communication and collaborative working skills.
As part of this role, you will be responsible for evaluating the financial impact of any proposed training initiatives, ensuring the balance between cost, scalability, delivery method, and expected organisational benefit. This will require taking a whole system perspective to confirm that learning solutions remain both operationally viable and cost effective, while still meeting professional standards.
In line with the organisational objective of becoming a learning organisation, you will create and maintain a purposeful learning environment, including the ongoing management of the College’s learning support strategy.
Within this role hybrid working is possible, but there is a requirement for you to attend the SPS College regularly along with other SPS sites due to line management and workstream commitments.
If you have the following, we would like to hear from you:
- Hold a minimum of an Undergraduate Degree or equivalent/higher qualification (360 credits, of which 60 credits must be at SCQF Level 9) relevant to the role or be working towards this level of qualification (Essential)
- Hold a L&D9DI and L&D11, or a combination of qualifications and relevant experience (Desirable)
- Vocational Training Design and Management (Essential)
- Assurance of Standards (Essential)
- Analysing Complex Information (Essential)
Some of the benefits you can enjoy in role are:
- This role lends itself to Hybrid working, in line with policy. While the main office location will be SPS HQ, Edinburgh there will be some travel to establishments required.
- Attractive Pension (Civil Service)
- Commitment to your personal and professional development
- Free gym and car parking
- Discounts at high street stores, supermarkets and restaurants through our partners at Blue Light Card, Edenred and Civil Service Sports Council.
- Sick Pay
- Annual Leave - 37 days rising to 42 days
For information on the job, including full job description and person specification, and to apply for these vacancies please visit the Scottish Prison Service website. We are committed to your personal and professional development and offer a wide range of career progression opportunities.
Closing: 17 August 2026.
Theme Lead (Vocational Training) in Brightons employer: Scottish Prison Service
The Scottish Prison Service is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. With flexible hybrid working options, generous annual leave, and a commitment to collaboration across justice partners, this role as Principal Analyst - Population Insights provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a balanced work-life experience in the heart of Edinburgh.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Theme Lead (Vocational Training) in Brightons
✨Connect with Local Educational Institutions
Get involved with universities and colleges in your area, especially those that offer adult continuing education programmes. Attend open days or even guest lectures to network with faculty members and find out about potential job openings before they even get advertised.
✨Leverage Professional Education Networks
Join professional networks focused on adult education, such as the Adult Learning Australia or the International Society for Technology in Education. These communities often have job boards or can point you towards opportunities at places like Scottish Prison Service just waiting for the right candidate!
✨Showcase Your Passion for Lifelong Learning
In your interviews, share your own experiences and thoughts on lifelong learning. Highlight any courses or workshops you've taken recently to demonstrate your commitment to personal development and the importance of education. This is a big plus for roles in this field!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to check out our careers page at Scottish Prison Service. Applying directly through our website not only makes your application stand out but also shows you're genuinely interested in joining us. We love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Theme Lead (Vocational Training) in Brightons
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience in Education:When crafting your CV for the Theme Lead (Vocational Training) role, make sure to emphasise any relevant experience in adult or continuing education. This could be teaching credentials, training sessions you've facilitated, or programmes you’ve developed. The more specific you can be about your contributions and outcomes, the better!
Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills:In the adult continuing education sector, strong communication and interpersonal skills are key. Use your cover letter to share specific examples of how you’ve worked with diverse groups or handled different learning styles. Let us see how you've engaged learners—you’re selling your teaching style here!
Connect Your Passion to Our Mission:At Scottish Prison Service, we value candidates who resonate with our mission to empower lifelong learners. Make sure your cover letter reflects your passion for adult education and your alignment with our goals. A genuine connection can really make your application stand out!
Keep it Professional Yet Personable:While it’s important to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. We’re looking for someone who can connect with our learners, so a friendly, approachable tone can help convey that vibe in your written materials. Apply through our website and let us see the real you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Prison Service
✨Showcase Your Passion for Lifelong Learning
When interviewing for a role in adult continuing education at Scottish Prison Service, it's super important to highlight your passion for lifelong learning. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to education and how you've fostered a love for learning in others – this is something hiring managers love to see!
✨Prepare for Adult Education Methodologies
Be ready to dive into your knowledge of andragogy and educational theories during the interview. Expect questions about how you would adapt your teaching styles for adult learners – think about specific strategies you’ve used in the past and be prepared to discuss how they positively impacted your students.
✨Discuss Your Experience with Diverse Learners
At Scottish Prison Service, you’ll likely encounter a diverse range of adult learners, so don’t shy away from discussing your experience with different demographics. Be prepared to share your successes in engaging learners from varied backgrounds, and how your approach has adapted to meet their unique needs.
✨Demonstrate Your Ability to Collaborate
Given that this is a full-time role, teamwork will be essential. Be ready to talk about your experiences working in collaborative settings, whether it be with fellow educators, administrators, or community partners. Highlight specific projects where your collaborative efforts contributed to successful educational outcomes.
