Job Advert
UTC South Durham
Faculty Leader – Welding & Fabrication / Engineering
Preparing students for outstanding STEM careers
NOR: up to 600 | Age range: 14-19 | Start: September 2026
Salary: Lead Instructor Scale £39,556 – £51,048
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.
The Role
We are seeking an ambitious and experienced Welding & Fabrication Instructor / Assessor to join our growing Engineering faculty in a leadership capacity. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled engineering professional to play a key role in shaping and developing our expanding post-16 technical provision.
The successful applicant will lead on the delivery, assessment, quality assurance and continued development of the Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) qualification through the awarding body EAL, while also supporting the strategic growth of the wider Engineering curriculum.
In addition to teaching and assessment responsibilities, the successful candidate will undertake Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) duties, act as Centre Coordinator for EAL programmes, line manage colleagues within the engineering team, and contribute to curriculum planning, quality improvement and employer engagement activities.
This role would suit an individual with strong industry experience and leadership potential who is passionate about developing learners into skilled, work-ready engineering professionals.
Our sponsors, Hitachi Rail, Gestamp Tallent and the University of Sunderland, are committed to creating an outstanding school that will provide a talented young workforce for companies in the North of England. If you have the expertise and commitment to make a life-changing impact on our students then we would like to hear from you.
We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
Closing date: Friday 19th June, 12.00noon | Interviews: TBC
No agencies please.
Job Description
UTC South Durham Faculty Leader – Welding & Fabrication / Engineering
Job title: Faculty Leader
Employer: The Durham UTC Limited
Responsible to: Vice Principal
Salary in range: Lead Instructor Scale
Key ResponsibilitiesTeaching and Assessment
You will deliver and assess a range of mandatory and specialist practical units within the Level 2 PEO qualification, including:
Mandatory Units
- Health & Safety in Engineering
- Working in an Engineering Environment
- Communicating Technical Information
Specialist Practical Units
- MAG (MIG) and TIG welding
- Platework fabrication
- Sheet metalwork
- Plasma cutting and associated fabrication processes
You will ensure teaching and assessment are engaging, industry relevant and aligned to awarding body standards.
Leadership and Quality Assurance Responsibilities
As a Faculty Leader within Engineering, you will also:
- Lead and coordinate the delivery of the Welding & Fabrication pathway
- Undertake Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) activities to ensure consistency and compliance across the programme
- Act as Centre Coordinator for EAL qualifications, maintaining awarding body requirements and supporting external quality assurance visits
- Line manage and support colleagues within the PEO/Engineering department, contributing to staff development and performance management
- Support curriculum planning, timetabling and resource management
- Drive continuous quality improvement through learner progress monitoring, achievement analysis and standardisation activities
- Further develop the engineering programme in response to employer needs, local skills priorities and learner demand
- Build and maintain strong relationships with industry partners and apprenticeship employers
- Support recruitment, learner engagement and progression opportunities across the Engineering provision
- Contribute to the strategic growth and future direction of the Engineering faculty
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.
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
- Engineering Maintenance
As our provision grows, we also anticipate the further development and expansion of our engineering facilities and resources.
The successful candidate will therefore play an important role in shaping the future direction of technical education within the UTC.
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 their Level 2 qualification and progress directly into Level 3 apprenticeships and employment opportunities.
Our industry partners fully endorse the programme and recognise it as an effective pathway for preparing learners who are skilled, motivated and work-ready.
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:
- 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.
UTC South Durham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Closing date: 12.00noon Friday 19th June 2026 | Interviews: tbc
To arrange an informal discussion, please email: [email protected]
Further information and application form downloadable from:
https://www.utcsouthdurham.org/home/staff-information/current-staff-vacancies
No agencies please.
Pay: £39,556.00-£51,048.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
