Training ramps up in 2009

Training prisoners is a top priority this year with three polytechnics on board to deliver training to 300 prisoners.

CIE National Prisoner Training Manager Saen O’Brien says training opportunities have expanded to include more than double the number of prisoners.

“Last year we trained 126 prisoners across three prisons. This year training will be available across four prisons and will be delivered by the Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec), Northland Polytechnic (NorthTec) and the Universal College of Learning (UCOL).

“Prisoners will be able to gain New Zealand Qualifications Authority accreditation for trade skills in small motors, painting, carpentry, horticulture, forestry and elementary construction, depending on which prison they are situated in.”

Saen says the opportunity to undertake formal training will be a first for most prisoners. “The last prison census identified that 52 per cent of prisoners had no formal qualifications and only 45 per cent were in paid work before going to prison. We know that prisoners who find meaningful employment on release are less likely to re-offend.
 
“Providing training opportunities to prisoners, especially in industries that are experiencing skill shortages, will increase their chances of finding meaningful employment on release.”

Nearly all the courses will be level two and will be run at Northland Region Corrections Facility and Rimutaka, Manawatu and Wanganui prisons with training provided in theoretical and practical settings.

 2009 Training Courses

Manawatu Prison

• Carpentry training delivered by UCOL
   
• Prisoners will have the opportunity to earn a National Certificate in Building, Construction and the Allied Trades L2

Wanganui Prison

• Small motors training delivered by UCOL
   
• Prisoners will have the opportunity to earn 48 credits leading towards the National Certificate in Motor Industry (Automotive Electrical & Mechanical Engineering L2) Outdoor Power Equipment Strand & 36 credits towards the National Certificate in Motor Industry (Entry Skills) L2 with strands in Automotive Electrical & Mechanical Engineering

Northland Prison

• Horticulture, forestry and elementary construction training delivered by NorthTec
    
• Prisoners will have the opportunity to earn a National Certificate in Horticulture L2, Northland Polytechnic Certificate in Forestry (Foundation skills) or Northland Polytechnic Certificate in Elementary Construction

Rimutaka Prison

• Small Motors, Painting and Carpentry training delivered by WelTec
   
• Prisoners will have the opportunity to earn credits counting towards a National Certificate in Painting and credits towards a National Certificate in Motor Industry, similar to training at Wanganui.