Do you enjoy working hands-on with tools, materials, and machinery?
Are you passionate about inspiring young minds to design and build?
Do you want to support pupils as they turn theoretical concepts into tangible projects?
About the Role
The Design & Technology Technician provides vital day-to-day operational support to the teaching staff and students within the Design and Technology department. In this role, the technician ensures that all teaching spaces, tools, machinery, and consumable resources are fully prepped, maintained, and operated in compliance with strict workshop safety guidelines. The post-holder operates as an essential specialist pillar within the department, fostering an orderly, productive, and safe workshop environment where learners can realise their practical coursework and design aspirations.
About the School
This large, vibrant, and inclusive secondary school and sixth form is situated in North-West Leeds, serving an engaged and diverse local community. Known for its strong collaborative leadership and commitment to both personal development and academic achievement, the setting prides itself on offering modern, well-resourced facilities. Its purpose-built Design and Technology suites feature dedicated workshops and design spaces equipped for woodwork, metalwork, CAD/CAM, and textiles, ensuring every student has access to an ambitious, 21st-century vocational and creative curriculum.
Candidate Requirements
... - Previous Technical Experience: Hands-on experience working in a school DT department, college workshop, trade, carpentry, or engineering environment.
- Enhanced DBS: A valid Enhanced DBS clearance registered on the Update Service (or a willingness to apply for one).
- Strong References: Provision of professional references covering two years of employment or placements.
- Eligibility to Work: Valid legal entitlement to work full-time in the UK
Required Skills
- Practical Workshop Aptitude: Proficiency in using standard woodworking and metalworking machinery (e.g., bandsaws, pillar drills, sanders, scroll saws).
- Health & Safety Compliance: In-depth knowledge of secondary school workshop safety frameworks, risk assessments, and COSHH regulations.
- Material Preparation: Skill in calculating measurements accurately and using guillotine, chop saw, or table saw cutters with minimal material waste.
- CAD/CAM Literacy: Practical knowledge of computer-aided design software (e.g., TechSoft 2D Design) and outputting files to laser cutters and 3D printers.
- Tool Sharpening & Care: Ability to dress, sharpen, calibrate, and repair manual chisels, planes, drill bits, and power equipment.
- Organisational Competence: Strong methodical planning to balance competing requests from multiple teaching staff across timetabled periods.
Key Responsibilities
- Lesson Preparation: Measure, cut, and prepare timber, plastics, metals, and textiles ahead of practical lessons according to teacher schemes of work.
- Machinery Maintenance: Inspect, clean, lubricate, and perform routine preventative servicing on specialist machinery and hand tools.
- Health & Safety Enforcement: Implement and monitor workshop safety standards (CLEAPSS / DATA / COSHH), ensuring guard rails, extraction systems, and emergency stops remain fully operational.
- Tool Inventory: Issue, retrieve, inspect, and safely store hand tools, power tools, and cutting equipment at the start and end of every practical session.
- Stock Management: Monitor inventory levels of consumable stock, audit raw materials, and prepare purchase orders to keep store cupboards fully supplied.
- Classroom Assistance: Assist teachers during live practical lessons by offering technical demonstrations and supervising safe student tool usage.
- Hazardous Waste Disposal: Oversee the safe collection, segregation, storage, and disposal of workshop waste, swarf, sawdust, and finishing chemicals.
- CAD/CAM & Digital Support: Set up, calibrate, and maintain digital design technology equipment, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and associated software.
- Display & Exhibition Setup: Assist with mounting, displaying, and securely storing student coursework portfolios and exhibition models.
- Emergency Response & First Aid: Maintain tidy emergency wash stations, eye wash kits, and first aid supplies within the workshop suites at all times.
What We Offer:
- A supportive, collaborative working environment.
- Opportunities for career progression and ongoing professional development.
- The chance to make a significant impact on the lives of students.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- A Refer a Friend scheme where you could earn a £300 Love2shop voucher (subject to terms and conditions).
Could this be the ideal role for you?
Click "Apply Now" to submit your application for the role of a DT Technician. For more information, please contact leeds@randstadeducation.co.uk or call 01132462500 to speak to the secondary team.
