30 September, 2003
Inmates from Tongariro/Rangipo Prison had some hands-on business training last week, when they took part in a three-day entrepreneurial skills programme run by Lion Nathan.
About 35 inmates completed the programme, which Lion Nathan has run at the prison for the past six years. Every year Lion runs its Business Experience programme at about 50 secondary schools nationwide and, uniquely, at Tongariro/Rangipo Prison.
Business experts teach inmates the building blocks of business practice, covering strategic planning, production, marketing and finance. Inmates work in teams to prepare business plans, which they present for judging at the end of the course.
"Real skills for the real world," is how Acting Site Manager Dave Pomeroy described the programme.
"Overall the exercise was a positive experience for the inmates, many of whom have never had this sort of opportunity or education before," he said. "We aim to provide inmates with the skills and motivation to start off on the right foot when they are released, and what they have learnt this past week falls into that category."
"Judges were impressed with the inmates' innovative ideas, the amount of thought put into their projects and the quality of their presentations."
Judges included Mike Tamaki of Tamaki Tours, and local business people Kim Wheeler and Bob Hamilton. The winning business plan was based on a probe to identify hot spots that can lead to forest fires. Other business proposals included a tourism venture, mobile sewing repair service, and motor-scooter refurbishment business.
Lion Nathan, through its network of business facilitators and mentors, is available to offer advice on business matters to the course participants after they are released. All inmates who completed the course received a Lion Business Experience certificate.