Employability Instructor

Job Introduction

HMP Addiewell have an exciting opportunity for an Employability Instructor to join the Activities Department. As an Employability Instructor you would be teaching adults to learn and improve employability skills in preparation of their release. Additionally you would be giving employment information, advice and guidance these to prisoners. You will be creative in planning your teaching, using a variety of innovative and captivating resources whilst being able to deliver in an enthusiastic and inspirational manner. The successful candidate should aspire to provide stimulating and challenging experiences that will enable all learners to develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes and values that will prepare them for life today and in the future.

The purposeful activities department caters for a wide range of educational and vocational needs for the 796 prisoners.  The team focus on delivering courses designed to raise prisoners self-esteem and employability skills. Reporting to the purposeful activity team leader the role would suit someone with extensive knowledge and experience in delivering various forms of education in a classroom setting. The role is diverse, thought-provoking and challenging/rewarding in equal measure.

Sodexo Justice Services is a custodial services company with a reputation for delivering high quality services through its philosophy that everyone can develop and make changes for the better.  HMP Addiewell is a learning prison, with a strong and concerted focus on learning not to reoffend, relevant skills training and employability and we work with all areas of the wider community to ensure residents have the best possible chance of leading positive lives following their release.

Role Responsibility

• Deliver employability skills sessions to assist prisoners to develop work skills and make informed decisions about employment opportunities on their release.
• Create positive opportunities for those prisoners and promote benefits of achievement in employability skills.
• Liaise with prison staff and actively recruit new learners.
• Liaise with local employers and external agencies to provide positive opportunities for prisoners on their release.
• Provide a wide range of progressive and stimulating employability material to prisoners.
• Keep abreast of developments in relation to employability.
• Provide prisoners with a structured programme of tuition for class periods and self-study and practice ensuring that progress information is incorporated into prisoner records
• Prepare prisoners for exams or assessments where appropriate and encourage demonstrable learning outcomes.
• Utilise employment as means of focusing prisoners on alternative life choices to criminality.
• Contribute to the preparation of prisoners who wish to further their education post-release.

The Ideal Candidate

• SCQF Level 7 in a teaching discipline (or equivalent) or achieve this within eighteen months of undertaking the role.
• Experience of teaching employability skills to adults across a range of abilities, including supporting students from deprived backgrounds.
• Experience of working with persons with a range of additional support needs across a range of ages and stages.
• Demonstrable experience of the SQA framework or of an Industry or Educational Standard.
• Excellent listening, communication and IT skills.
• High level of organisational skills.
• Flexibility of work: 40hrs with occasional evening and / or weekend work
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure; think clearly and act decisively.
• Good problem solving skills.

Package Description

£25,000 per annum plus excellent benefits (including free meals and parking, group discount schemes and pension with 28 days holiday)

40 hours per week working Monday to Friday 8am to 4.30pm and will include some evening and weekend working when required.

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 36,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the energy, corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

At Sodexo we are committed to a leading role in promoting equality opportunities and valuing diversity and inclusion. We seek to create a work environment based on mutual respect for all individuals, building a culture that appreciates and values the experiences and skills brought by each person to benefit our organisation and work hard to ensure that all people, whatever their race, colour, sex, gender identity  disability, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religion or belief, marital/partnership or family status, sexual orientation, age, social class, educational background, employment status, working pattern, are welcome to and included within our organisation. 

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to  support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process.

Please note all roles within Sodexo Justice are subject to security and recruitment checks which may include a Social Media Check. You will also be asked to provide 5 years’ worth of references and request employment history details from the HMRC.