The first prison-based Universal College of Learning (UCOL) elementary construction skills course at Manawatu Prison saw its first graduation in December 2008.
A graduation ceremony was held for 12 prisoners to mark the completion of the elementary training. “The prisoners who successfully took part in the course from early November earned a National Certificate in Elementary Construction Skills Level 1. Two other prisoners earned partial qualifications,” says CIE National Prisoner Training Manager Saen O’Brien.
“At the end of the course the prisoners put the skills they learnt into practice by building a scaled down model house which will be donated to a suitable local charity for use as a utility house.”
Saen says this is a great achievement for these prisoners. “Trade training is an important part of a prisoners’ reintegration back into society. This qualification precedes the National Certificate in Building Construction and Allied Trades (BCAT’s) Level 2 next year (See Training ramps up in 2009 )
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ISSN 1174-2909