Jobs for Veterans: Exploring opportunities in prison rehabilitation work

If you are a Veteran thinking about your next step after leaving the Armed Forces, a job in prison education may be the perfect fit for you. 
 

A path that’s proven to be both meaningful and rewarding is a career in prison education, and at Novus, we offer a range of jobs for Veterans that make the most of your unique skills and experience. Whether you're teaching, mentoring or offering guidance, you’ll be helping others while building a fulfilling new career for yourself.

Why prison jobs are a natural fit for veterans

A career in prison education can be a natural fit for veterans due to the transferable skills that are acquired whilst in the armed forces such as:

Discipline and structure

Veterans are used to working within structured environments, having regular schedules and following protocols which can be beneficial in a prison setting. 

Leadership and mentoring

Veterans often have experience mentoring and guiding individuals or teams which can be utilised in education roles in prison as they often involve mentoring prisoners, helping and guiding them so that they can develop the skills and confidence needed for life outside prison. 

Life experience

Many veterans have diverse life experiences and may bring valuable perspectives, skills and experiences to their teaching, particularly in vocational subjects. 

Focus on skills development 

Many veterans have technical or vocational training that can be directly applied to teaching job skills and life skills to inmates, aiding in their reintegration into society.
 

Amongst many other transferable skills that can be directly applied to a prison education job role! 

Prison education job opportunities for veterans

There are many prison education roles available at Novus from teaching and mentoring to support roles. 
 

Due to the wide and versatile range of roles, you don’t need to be a qualified teacher in the first instance to apply for a prison teaching role at Novus. If you are an individual who has left or are leaving the armed forces, there are plenty of career pathways available to you. If you are not a qualified teacher, we will help and support you in obtaining your teaching qualifications whilst working at Novus. 
 

Working in prison education provides a unique opportunity to help vulnerable people empower and upskill themselves. To be able to do this effectively, our teachers need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge required to work with learners in a prison setting such as: 

Develop flexibility and adaptability in your teaching style

Working in prison education requires a high degree of flexibility and adaptability. No two days in prison are the same, and educators need to be flexible in their teaching style in order to work well and communicate with others. 

Help learners find employment 

Prison education is integral to a learner’s successful rehabilitation as they are equipped with the skills and qualifications needed to thrive upon release. Our prison educators help learners complete accredited training programmes and gain industry-relevant qualifications, which will help them find employment upon release. 

Embrace daily challenges and foster engaged learning

At Novus, every day in prison is different and provides a new challenge for our education team. Many learners have a limited or negative experience with education based on their school experiences from a young age and have a limited belief in the potential of learning. 
 

Our education provision is specifically designed and tailored to meet the needs of our learners so that all learners can benefit from and engage in our education and enrichment provision, and our educators play an integral role in engaging learners in education so that they are better equipped for life outside of prison. 

Communicate effectively with colleagues and learners

Being able to communicate effectively is essential in a prison setting. Our colleagues work with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, and experiences so compassion and open-mindedness are crucial.
 

Prison education is a fulfilling career path, helping to shape the lives of learners and making sure that they're equipped with all the vital skills that they need to be successful upon release. Being able to make a difference in your job is a huge driving factor to why many of our colleagues work in prison education.

How to get a prison teaching job as a veteran

To work in prison education at Novus you don’t need to be a qualified teacher to start your journey. We offer career pathways for veterans and individuals who have industry experience in a specific field. 
 

Many of our roles provide on-the-job training and support, helping gain qualifications needed while actively working. If you already have experience delivering training, mentoring or leading teams in the Forces, you might already have what it takes to get started.

Support for veterans starting a new career 

Transitioning to a new career isn’t always easy, and at Novus we understand this journey and offer support at every step. From guidance during the application process to on-the-job training, we’ll help you to settle into your new role with confidence.  

Start your next chapter with Novus

At Novus, we’re here to help you find the right fit after military service. Explore our latest veteran job opportunities within the prison education system and discover how your skills can make a real difference. 
 

Whether you’re ready to apply as a prison educator or just want to chat more about your options, we’d love to hear from you!