Joinery Instructor

Job Introduction

Joinery Instructor – HMP Northumberland

Join Sodexo and be part of something greater.

At HMP Northumberland, we deliver purposeful activity and skills training that helps prisoners prepare for successful resettlement and employment upon release. As a Joinery Instructor, you will play a vital role in supporting this mission — teaching, mentoring, and supervising prisoners in a professional workshop setting.

HMP Northumberland is a Category C resettlement prison, housing around 1,300 male residents. The establishment is focused on rehabilitation and the development of employability skills that help reduce reoffending. The joinery workshop forms a key part of this approach, offering accredited qualifications, hands-on carpentry training, and meaningful production work that contributes to real customer contracts.

This role is perfect for a skilled tradesperson with a passion for teaching and mentoring others, who wants to make a genuine difference within a secure and structured environment. You’ll combine your technical expertise with strong interpersonal skills to motivate and guide prisoners toward achievement, purpose, and personal growth.

For more information on Sodexo Careers please visit Sodexo Careers.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise prisoners in a safe and purposeful workshop environment, delivering training and induction in areas such as Health & Safety, COSHH, and tool/machinery use.
• Provide tailored support to meet individual learning needs, promote skill development, and contribute to NVQ or accredited training records to prepare prisoners for employment upon release.
• Maintain compliance with all security, health, and safety regulations—completing risk assessments, reporting incidents, and ensuring tool and equipment accountability.
• Set and monitor production schedules and quality standards, motivating prisoners to achieve targets while maintaining customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
• Manage ordering, storage, and stock checks of materials and tools, ensuring effective use of resources and smooth workshop operations.
• Build positive interpersonal relationships with prisoners and colleagues, liaise with the Activity Hub, Careers team, and external customers, and contribute to meetings and departmental goals.

Please see the attached job description for further information regarding the role requirements.

The Ideal Candidate

• High level of interpersonal skills

• Good level of numeracy and literacy

• Demonstrable experience in a workshop, production, or vocational training environment

• Ability to challenge inappropriate behaviour appropriately and constructively

• Capable of working independently or collaboratively to a high standard

• Proactive, systematic, and self-motivated approach to work

• Resilient under pressure and adaptable to change

• Recognised qualification or experience in Joinery, Carpentry, or Woodwork preferred

• Teaching, Assessing or Vocational Training qualification (or willingness to work towards one)

MOJ EL1

Package Description

• £30,000–£35,000 per annum (depending upon qualification delivery capability)

• Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

• Monday to Friday

• 20+ Sodexo benefits, including:

  • Sodexo retirement plan

  • Discounts with over 1,900 brands

  • Gym membership discounts

  • 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme

  • Health, legal, and financial wellbeing support

Working with Sodexo is more than a job — it’s a chance to make a difference and be part of something greater.

About Sodexo

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As a global leader in services that improve quality of life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million people each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services, and Personal & Home Services.

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and an inclusive employer, welcoming applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!