31 August
Two prisoners engaged in Corrections Inmate Employment Catering Training are a step closer to a crime-free career after receiving their Level 3 National Certificate in Catering.
“The Level 3 Certificate represents a massive achievement,” says Acting Manager Internal Services Russell Baker. “These prisoners have put in a lot of time and effort to get this qualification, and it is certainly something that will stand them in good stead on their release.”
The prisoners, one from Waikeria Prison and the other Manawatu Prison, have already worked their way through their Level 2 Certificate, and in the Level 3 they are exposed to a higher degree of practical demonstration, such as making fresh sauces and stocks from scratch. They also work towards additional unit standards around food cost management, portion control and managing customer complaints within the hospitality industry.
“We work in with the Hospitality Standards Institute to offer our Catering Training, so these are certainly industry-recognised qualifications,” says Russell.
Corrections Inmate Employment Catering training has won a Hospitality Standards Institute (HSI) Excellence in Training Award for two years running, and HSI Chief Executive Steve Hanrahan says it shows that the quality of training offered to prisoners is right up there with the best.
“We actively work with the catering and hospitality industry in New Zealand to get more people up to higher level qualifications. The Level 3 qualification is highly valued in the industry. Also, as it is the pre-requisite to achieving the highest national cookery qualification at Level 4, the two graduates are well-placed to progress their careers. These guys are really giving themselves a good chance to get employed on release,” says Steve.
“The work that CIE does to help prisoners gain the skills and qualifications to make them attractive employment prospects on release is great from our point of view – getting more experienced, qualified staff in the catering and hospitality industry is very important.”
“Research shows that prisoners, who find sustainable work on release are less likely to re-offend,” says Russell.
“By equipping prisoners with the skills and experience to help them find sustainable work on release we can reduce their risk of reoffending, ultimately making our communities safer.”
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