Inmates to train for construction work
14:45 18 Feb 2004
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Reading Prison wants to know what skills the construction industry requires so it can provide the right training for its young offenders.
Speaking at the Unlock Your Skills Shortage event last week at Reading Prison, prison governor Nick Leader said: "We accept that not every prisoner will be a suitable employee, therefore we are promoting only those that are suitable and deserve a chance."
The event attracted around 50 prospective employers who got to tour the prison, meet prisoners and staff and see the training facilities first-hand.
Reading takes men between 18 and 21-years-of-age, and just 10% of inmates re-offend, compared with a national average of 70%.
One prisoner said: "We are all normal, average people. For the majority of us, the offence we're in here for is just a one-off. We've learnt our lesson and now want to get on with the rest of our lives."
The main goal for the inmates is to get a place in the Kennet Unit, the prison's resettlement unit, which aims to find work placements and day-release jobs for the men. The unit holds only 20, so the inmates have to meet strict criteria to gain a place.
The prison has a strong link with National Grid Transco. To date, about 80 inmates have gone through Transco's 13-week pipe-fitting course, and the majority have been offered jobs with Transco upon their release.
The prison is also in talks with CITB-ConstructionSkills to get accreditation for its four-week Plan-a-Kitchen course. Devised by two prison training officers, both former tradesmen, the course covers designing and fitting a kitchen, and incorporates plumbing, carpentry, tiling, painting and decorating. As part of the course, the inmates must sit the CSCS health and safety test.
"Of the first 10 lads we put through the CSCS test, nine passed," said Plan-a-Kitchen instructor Marcus Gale.
Consultancy Hooper Walker, organiser of the open day, is looking at running similar events at other prisons in the UK.
Hooper Walker partner Roma Hooper said: "If you think about it, you know who you are getting if you employ an ex-offender. People can fake CVs and create false references, whereas prospective employers taking on lads from Reading will receive a full background, CV and risk assessment report from the prison."