Welding & Fabrication Instructor (Career changers from industry very welcome)
Preparing students for outstanding STEM careers
NOR: up to 600 | Age range: 14-19 | Start: September 2026
Salary: Instructor Scale £22,601 - £39,556
Can you help support our students to success?
University Technical College (UTC) South Durham opened in September 2016 and proudly holds the status of the first UTC in the North East. Located at the heart of Aycliffe Business Park, County Durham, we specialise in advanced manufacturing and engineering, delivering a high-quality technical education for 14–19-year olds. Working closely with world-class employers, we provide students with real, relevant workplace experience and were recently graded ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
Industry Experts Looking for a Career Change — We Want to Hear from You
While applicants with teaching or assessing qualifications are welcome, we also strongly encourage applications from experienced welding and fabrication professionals who are fully qualified in the disciplines below and are looking for a new challenge. If you have years of industry experience and want to pass on your skills to the next generation, make a real difference to young people’s futures and move into a stable, rewarding education career, we will support you in developing the teaching and assessing skills needed for the role.
The Role
We are seeking a Welding & Fabrication Instructor / Assessor to join our growing Engineering team. This role involves the delivery and assessment of units within the Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) qualification through the awarding body EAL.
You will teach and assess:
- Mandatory units, including:
- Health & Safety
- Working in an Engineering Environment
- Communicating Technical Information
- Specialist practical units, including:
- MAG (MIG) and TIG welding
- Platework fabrication
- Sheet metal and plasma cutting
A Growing Programme with a Strong Future
Recruitment to our Post-16 Pre-Apprenticeship Programme has exceeded expectations this academic year, making this an exciting time to join UTC South Durham. This programme is a key growth area for the organisation, with learner numbers expected to increase year on year.
Looking ahead, we plan to expand our engineering offer beyond Fabrication & Welding, CAD and Mechanical Engineering to include Electrical Installation, Additive manufacturing and Maintenance. We also anticipate the need to expand our facilities as our provision grows.
About the Team and the Learners
You will join a highly experienced Engineering team delivering the full Level 2 PEO diploma. This course is designed for learners who have not yet secured an apprenticeship, enabling them to complete the level 2 qualification and progress directly into a Level 3 apprenticeship.
Our industry partners fully endorse the programme and value it as an effective way of preparing learners who are work-ready, skilled, and motivated.
Safeguarding and Equality
UTC South Durham is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to appropriate safeguarding checks.
A Different Kind of Engineering Career
What you'll get:
- Term-time working only — no work during school holidays (approximately 13 weeks' holiday per year)
- Sociable hours — regular daytime hours, Monday to Friday
- Competitive salary with a generous Local Government Pension Scheme
- Job security in a growing, well-funded programme
- The chance to pass on your skills to the next generation of engineers
Make a Real Difference to the Region
The North East has a proud engineering heritage — and a real need for skilled, work-ready apprentices. As an Instructor here, you won't just be teaching; you'll be shaping the careers of young people who go on to work for the manufacturers and engineering firms across County Durham and beyond. Many of our learners are one qualification away from securing a Level 3 apprenticeship. Your expertise could be the thing that gets them there.
Closing date: 12.00noon Friday 19th June 2026 | Interviews: tbc
To arrange an informal discussion, please email: [email protected]
No agencies please.
Job Description
UTC South Durham Welding & Fabrication / Engineering Instructor
Job title: Welding & Fabrication / Engineering Instructor
Employer: The Durham UTC Limited
Responsible to: Vice Principal
Salary in range: Instructor Scale
As part of a teaching team, you will provide the services below:
1. Delivery and Assessment of curriculum
· Consistently deliver high quality, well-structured lessons which inspire, motivate and challenge students.
· Promote industry standard outcomes and ensure students become competent in the unit of study.
· Demonstrate industry standard knowledge of materials and processes, promote good H&S practices and control the engineering environment effectively.
· Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all students.
· Make accurate and productive use of assessment.
· Develop teaching and learning strategies in line with the UTC T&L priorities and core pedagogy.
· Engage in the College wide CPD programme to develop T&L and professional practices.
· Deliver and assess content across some of the following units –
o Safe working practices.
o Carrying out engineering activities.
o Communicating technical information.
o Producing Platework components and assemblies (>3mm).
o Producing sheet metal components and assemblies (<3mm).
o Preparing and using manual TIG or MIG welding equipment.
2. Support all areas of Engineering across the UTC
· Support colleagues and students across the UTC with technical expertise.
· Work with teaching staff to ensure the smooth running of the Engineering Hall and all aspects of technical learning.
· Support staff and students with any additional projects or competitions that may be entered.
· Promote good housekeeping and organisation of technical areas across the UTC.
3. Additional duties
· Act with integrity and ensure a high standard of care and safeguarding for all our students.
· Be aware of and comply with health and safety rules and legislation, ensuring the safety of students, staff and visitors at all times.
· Contribute to the overall ethos and aims of the UTC and actively contribute to support the delivery of the Student Leaver Profile.
· Act in compliance with data protection legislation in respecting the privacy of personal information.
· Comply with the principles of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and GDPR in relation to the management of UTC records and information.
· Undertake additional duties as may be reasonably directed by the Principal where they meet the priorities of the UTC.
Pay: £22,601.00-£39,556.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
