You'll need, or be prepared to work towards, a level 3 work-related qualification in your subject area or trade.

You may also find it useful to do qualifications in assessment, like the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement.

Entry requirements

You may need:

• GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths

You could apply directly if you have experience and qualifications in the vocational area you want to teach, along with experience of supervising others.

You will usually need to do a Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement. Employers will sometimes pay for this.

You'll need:

• the ability to teach learners how to do something
• the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• excellent verbal communication skills
• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

You will also need to meet HM Prison & Probation Service entry requirements, which include nationality and security checks.

As a prison instructor, you could:

• act as a role model for prisoners
• introduce new prisoners to the workshop health and safety rules
• update prisoners' learning and attendance records
• support prisoners working towards qualifications
• monitor discipline and behaviour
• keep the workshop area and tools safe and in working order
• maintain stocks of equipment and materials

You could work in a prison or in a workshop.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and physically and emotionally demanding.