Sunderland College has been delivering highly successful courses for more than 20 years and is one of the largest providers of post-16 education in the North East with approximately 14,300 students.  

The College has two campuses across the city of Sunderland, offering a wide range of academic and vocational provision for school leavers and adults. The College aims to develop and positively shape lives, communities, and the economy through teaching, learning and development of skills. Our students consistently achieve outstanding results and Sunderland College has been ranked in the top 25% in the country for student achievement rates. In October 2024, we were ranked as Ofsted outstanding, and we are proud of our diverse student and staff community that provide our students with bespoke education pathways to help them achieve their future career goals.   

Please see the following link to our 2024 Ofsted Report, in which we were graded as being Outstanding across all areas - Ofsted-Report-Outstanding

Our Journey & Values

As an employer, we prioritise cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where our staff can thrive and grow. We recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to investing in their professional development and overall wellbeing.

Taking Teaching Further & Additional Incentives

If you’re making the move into further education teaching, you may be eligible for the Taking Teaching Further (TTF) programme a funded route to help industry professionals retrain as FE teachers.

In addition, for roles in high-need subjects or regions you may also benefit from the government’s targeted retention incentive (formerly “levelling-up premium”) payments, worth up to £6,000 for eligible teachers in their first five years and teaching certain shortage subjects.

Please note eligibility for both TTF and the Targeted Retention Incentive varies by role, subject area and provider, they do not apply to every vacancy.

Find out more about both initiatives through the links below.

• Taking Teaching Further - Taking Teaching Further
• Targeted Retention Incentive - Targeted Retention Incentive

About the Candidate

The Automotive Engineering department is a strategic priority and a key growth area within the college and the local region. Our delivery includes study programmes, adult and commercial provision, and Apprenticeships at our City Campus in Sunderland.

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and innovative individual who can engage with and inspire a new generation of automotive, manufacturing and production professionals, supporting positive student experience, progress, and career destinations. This appointment offers the opportunity to play a key role in driving forward the quality of automotive manufacturing and production provision, aligned with current industry practices and standards.

The successful candidate will be a proactive change maker, bringing fresh perspectives and creative solutions to enhance curriculum design, teaching methodologies, and student engagement. They will actively contribute to continuous improvement, ensuring our provision remains responsive to evolving automotive technologies and manufacturing processes, preparing students to succeed in a highly competitive and fast-moving sector.

You are a highly motivated and qualified professional with strong industry-level skills and experience in automotive manufacturing and production. You hold a relevant qualification and have a solid background in practical workshop environments, including areas such as assembly processes, quality control, automotive, and modern manufacturing techniques.

You are passionate about applying your knowledge to inspire and develop the next generation of automotive professionals. Your practical experience and technical expertise enable you to deliver high-quality teaching that reflects current industry standards, including lean manufacturing, production, and continuous improvement practices with a focus on the automotive industry.

About the Role

This role is not limited to a single project but is central to sustaining and developing the Automotive Manufacturing and Production provision within the Automotive Engineering department. The successful candidate will contribute to curriculum development, apprenticeship delivery, and the growth of study programmes, playing a key role across multiple initiatives.

It is a fantastic opportunity to join a strategic and expanding department within the college and local community. The role enables the successful candidate to inspire and shape the next generation of automotive and manufacturing professionals while driving forward high-quality, industry-relevant teaching. This position offers a platform to be a change maker and make a lasting impact on both students and the wider automotive sector.

The role provides continuous professional development through collaboration with industry partners, exposure to the latest developments in automotive manufacturing, and opportunities to lead innovative teaching approaches. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to further develop leadership skills and influence the future direction of the automotive curriculum.

Additionally, the candidate will work with modern tools and technologies relevant to automotive manufacturing and production, including diagnostic equipment, and industry level learning resources that support contemporary manufacturing education and hands-on training.

Role Responsibilities 

1. Lesson Planning and Delivery

• Prepare and deliver engaging, practical, and theory-based lessons aligned with the curriculum (e.g., EAL, IMI or City & Guilds standards).
• Adapt teaching for different learning styles and abilities.

2. Student Monitoring and Support

• Track student progress and attendance.
• Provide academic support, mentoring, and pastoral care to ensure student success and wellbeing.

3. Workshop Management and Health & Safety Oversight

• Ensure the workshop environment is safe, clean, and well-equipped.
• Carry out risk assessments and enforce health & safety regulations.

4. Curriculum Development and Assessment

• Develop learning materials, assignments, and assessments.
• Mark student work and provide constructive feedback in line with awarding body standards.

5. Industry Liaison and Employer Engagement

• Maintain relationships with employers to arrange placements, apprenticeships, or site visits.
• Ensure the programme stays relevant to current industry practices and technologies.

6. Programme Administration and Quality Assurance

• Maintain accurate records (attendance, grades, assessments).
• Participate in internal quality assurance (IQA) processes and contribute to audits and inspections (e.g., Ofsted).

Qualifications

• Level 3 or above in automotive or manufacturing
• L5 Teaching qualification or willing to work towards
• L3 assessors or willing to work towards
• L3 IQA or willing to working towards
• L2 or above in English and Maths

Essential Skills & Experience

• Minimum 2 years industry experience
• Level 3 or above in automotive or manufacturing
• L5 Teaching qualification or willing to work towards

What’s in it for you?

Join EPNE and you’ll be part of a culture that prioritises your development and wellbeing, which is why all employees receive an extensive benefits package.

• Enjoy a generous holiday allowance ranging between 35-48 days per year, plus public holidays - (Excluding Term Time Only contracts)
• Generous family leave and flexible working options (dependent on role)
• LGPS or Teacher Pensions Scheme - depending on role
• Access to myLifestyle benefits platform providing retail discounts and more.  
• We offer dental, eye care & health cash plans.  
• Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
• Free parking on most campuses.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

At Education Partnership North East (EPNE), we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. We know that diverse perspectives strengthen our teams to enhance the education and support we provide to our learners and communities.

We recognise that talented individuals may not always follow a traditional career path and may hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. If you are excited about the role and believe you can make a positive contribution, we encourage you to apply.

As a Disability Confident Employer and Armed Forces Covenant Member, and with Ofsted Outstanding status across all campuses, we are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing environment where everyone can thrive.

Due to the nature of this post, you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure Check.  

We believe in equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. 

We are committed to PREVENT and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

Please contact bill.milestone@sunderlandcollege.ac.uk should you wish to have an informal chat about the role.

Closing Date: 27 May 2026

Team: Teaching

Salary: £31,375 to £40,912 per annum

Sunderland College has been delivering highly successful courses for more than 20 years and is one of the largest providers of post-16 education in the North East with approximately 14,300 students.  

The College has two campuses across the city of Sunderland, offering a wide range of academic and vocational provision for school leavers and adults. The College aims to develop and positively shape lives, communities, and the economy through teaching, learning and development of skills. Our students consistently achieve outstanding results and Sunderland College has been ranked in the top 25% in the country for student achievement rates. In October 2024, we were ranked as Ofsted outstanding, and we are proud of our diverse student and staff community that provide our students with bespoke education pathways to help them achieve their future career goals.   

Please see the following link to our 2024 Ofsted Report, in which we were graded as being Outstanding across all areas - Ofsted-Report-Outstanding

Our Journey & Values

As an employer, we prioritize cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where our staff can thrive and grow. We recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to investing in their professional development and overall wellbeing.

About the Candidate

It is essential that applicants are qualified to Level 4 in a relevant Construction trade and possess industrial experience within the sector. It would be desirable to possess a teaching qualification and or assessor qualification.

About the Role

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and inspirational individual to join our growing Construction Team at Sunderland college. We are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate outstanding teaching, learning and assessment practices across all levels in Plumbing qualifications up to HTQ L4 to ensure positive outcomes for students. There is significant potential of further development and promotion of provision across this curriculum area and it is expected that you will be part of the team to drive this forward. You will plan, promote, deliver, monitor and evaluate your teaching and the progress of learners. You will create and cultivate strong links with parents and employers and work with the Construction industry to ensure that all students gain an outstanding experience.

Responsibilities 

• Plan, deliver, monitor, and evaluate high-quality teaching, learning and assessment from Level 3 up to HTQ Level 4
• Take responsibility for the recruitment, retention, progress and achievement of students on your programme(s)
•  Lead on curriculum planning, internal and external quality assurance, and programme performance reviews.
• Provide high-quality academic and pastoral support, including tracking, monitoring and intervention where needed.
• Develop and maintain strong employer links and support positive destinations for all learners.
• Support marketing and recruitment activities, including open events and interviews.

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 3 qualification in relevant industry-specific Construction subject.
• Minimum Level 4 qualification in relevant Construction-related subject.
• Level 2 qualifications in both Maths and English.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Minimum of two years’ industrial experience in the construction sector
• Experience of delivering teaching, learning and assessment in an FE or HE setting.
• Experience planning and leading programmes of study.
•  Experience of working with students to support achievement and personal development.
•  Competence in using digital technologies to enhance learning.
• Experience of assessment and feedback in line with awarding body requirements.

Desirable Skills & Experience 

• Teaching qualification (e.g., PGCE, CertEd, Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training) or willingness to work towards it.
• Assessor qualification or willingness to work towards it.
• Experience contributing to internal and external quality assurance
•  Knowledge of inclusive practices and supporting learners with additional needs
•  Engagement with curriculum innovation and educational research.
•  Familiarity with Microsoft Innovative Educator tools or equivalent digital learning platforms.

What’s in it for you?

Join EPNE and you’ll be part of a culture that prioritizes your development and wellbeing, which is why all employees receive an extensive benefits package.

• Enjoy a generous holiday allowance (35-48 days per year, plus public holidays).
• Generous family leave and flexible working options (dependent on role)
• LGPS or Teacher Pensions Scheme, (dependent on role 15.7% - 28.68%) 
• Access to myLifestyle benefits platform providing retail discounts and more.  
• We offer dental, eye care & health cash plans.  
• Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
• Free parking on most campuses.

Due to the nature of this post, you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure Check.  

We believe in equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. 

We are committed to PREVENT and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

Please contact Neil.clarke@sunderlandcollege.ac.uk should you wish to have an informal chat about the role.

Closing Date: 08 Jun 2026

Team: Teaching

Salary: £31,375 to £40,912 per annum