24 June 2010
Thirteen prisoners at Manawatu Prison have celebrated their graduation this week after gaining their Level 2 National Certificates in Building Construction and Allied Trades (BCAT).
The BCATs programme has been running for two years at a purpose built workshop facility within the prison’s compound, and the course is taught by UCOL staff in partnership with Corrections Inmate Employment.
“The BCATS course is an entry level carpentry and construction style course; most of our trainees start without having any previous experience in the trade so they start off with basic cutting and finishing of timber - cutting on angles, planing and sanding - building up quickly to projects that put these skills into practice,” says Julie Gowan, Wanganui Prison CIE Area Manager.
“At the Manawatu Prison CIE workshop those skills are applied by each student as they are required to make a model house, a saw horse and a deck chair for their BCAT assessment.”
“The BCATs programme has been really successful for us, and we are looking to expand our training to include the Level 3 National Certificates later this year,” says Julie. “This will be the first time CIE has offered a Level 3 BCATS course to prisoners at Manawatu Prison, but I think it’s going to prove very popular.”
“The Level 3 qualification provides a pathway towards apprenticeship for prisoners. They can undertake their Level 4 qualifications on release, part of which involves completing a required number of hours working alongside a qualified builder.”
“A high proportion of those who enter prison do so without any formal qualifications, and the BCATs course is a great way for prisoners to learn new skills and potentially find themselves a place in the labour market once they leave prison,” says Julie.
“It’s also valuable for prisoners who are about to be released, as it familiarises them with a daily work routine and provides an incentive for future job seeking. Research shows that prisoners who find sustainable employment on release are less likely to re-offend, ultimately improving public safety.”
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