Are you a PCA student or Alumni interested in becoming a Volunteer Workshop Assistant?
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: Volunteer Workshop Assistant
SALARY RANGE: This is a voluntary position
We are looking for volunteers to become part of our volunteer Workshop Assistant team. This role
will afford volunteers to work as part of a highly-motivated and professional team who support the
evening opening of our creative workshops. They will work closely with our Technical Resource
Managers, Head of Learning Resources and Dean of Learning & Teaching.
Volunteer Workshop Assistants will be organised, enthusiastic and reliable with demonstrable skills
relating to one of our specific workshops. We are looking to recruit students or alumni in following
areas (1) Glass, (2) Ceramics, (3) 3D/Wood, (4) Metal, (5) Textiles, (6) Sewing Lab and (7) Fine
Print. The workshops will be open from 18:00 to 20:30 Monday to Thursday with shifts starting at
17:45 and finishing at 20:45. Students will need to be in their final year of undergraduate study or
postgraduate study. Applications from alumni can be from any graduating year.
The role of a Volunteer Workshop Assistant is to facilitate the opening of the workshop by
supervising students using resources and equipment. They will ensure other users adhere to Health
and Safety procedures, including all Covid-19 policies, and refer students to specialist support and
guidance as required. Volunteer Workshop Assistants are not expected to teach other students and
during their shifts can use the workshop for their own practice. They will supervise students using
equipment when needed. The full set of specific duties and responsibilities are shown below:
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
● Supervision of students using the equipment in the relevant area;
● Ensure that other users are adhering to Health and Safety procedures, including all
Covid-19 policies, e.g. one way, social distancing and quarantining;
● Facilitate the opening of the workshop by being present at all times and allowing students
to use resources that are deemed safe by the Workshop Coordinator, Tech Dem or TRM;
● Ensuring that the workshop areas and equipment is left suitably clean and fit for purpose
for the following daytime sessions;
● Refer students to specialist support and guidance as required;
● To appropriately respond to any First Aid needs by alerting estates staff;
● Communicate with the workshop coordinators on any issues of workshop use/misuse;
● Support the local workshop coordinator / TRM with the preparation of materials;
● Be an ambassador for PCA, its students and its staff.
Previous experience is not essential, and we will be looking for people who are confident, willing to
learn, friendly and have good common sense. All training will be provided including DBS/GDPR,
Health & Safety, Safeguarding & Prevent, First aid as well as specific workshop training.
This post is a volunteer contract, there is no guarantee of hours. Occasionally shifts may crop up
last minute, but you will have the opportunity to sign up for shifts in advance of 3 months. This is a
non-paid volunteer role, and volunteers will have evening access to workshops to make their own
work as part of their own creative practice. All volunteers will receive a PCA certificate recognising
their engagement and gain excellent experience to support their future work/employability.
If this sounds like something that you might be interested in, please apply. Applicants must be (1)
current students at Plymouth College of Art in their final year of undergraduate study, (2) students
undertaking postgraduate study or (3) a Plymouth College of Art graduate.
As part of the selection process, applicants will be asked to demonstrate their technical
knowledge/skill in their related workshop area.
Please send a letter of interest stating why you feel you would be most suited to this role and
a current up to date CV. Please apply in the first instance to hr@pca.ac.uk expressing your
interest in this position.
Closing Date: Wednesday 30th September (23:59)
It is anticipated that the interviews will take place on week commencing 12 October 2020
Plymouth College of Art has a strong commitment to the safeguarding & welfare of young people &
vulnerable adults. A satisfactory DBS disclosure at Enhanced Level will be required from successful
candidates as a condition of appointment.
We celebrate equality, diversity and difference, and welcome candidates from all communities.