Typical duties include:

1. Preparing materials and equipment

• Set up tools, machinery, and materials before lessons.

• Prepare wood, metal, plastics, electronics kits, or textiles for student projects.

• Maintain stock of materials.

2. Maintaining workshop equipment

• Maintain and repair machines like:

  • Pillar drills

  • Band saws

  • Laser cutters

  • 3D printers

• Sharpen tools and keep equipment in safe working condition.

3. Health & Safety

• Ensure workshop safety standards are met.

• Carry out risk assessments.

• Check that machines and safety equipment are working properly.

• Manage COSHH materials (chemicals, glues, finishes).

4. Supporting teachers and students

• Help teachers during practical lessons.

• Demonstrate safe use of tools if required.

• Support students with technical problems.

5. Ordering and inventory

• Order materials and tools.

• Manage budgets and supplier relationships.

• Keep inventory of stock.

Common requirements include:

• Practical workshop skills (woodworking, metalwork, electronics, CAD)

• Knowledge of health & safety regulations

• Ability to maintain machinery

• Organisational skills

• Good communication with teachers and students

• IT skills for CAD/CAM, 3D printing, laser cutters

Knowledge of Design and Technology curriculum is helpful.