11 Jun 2008
Prisoners are to be trained in networking and cable installation to help tackle a skills shortage for suitably-skilled IT professionals.
Prisons minister David Hanson and skills minister David Lammy launched the new vocational learning academy at Wandsworth prison in London.
According to Cisco, one of the co-founders of the initiative, demand for data and network cabling experts outstrips supply by 20 per cent in the UK – equivalent to 61,000 jobs.
Criminals who complete the training will be interviewed by BeOnsite, a not-for-profit training company owned by scheme co-founder Bovis Lend Lease, and successful candidates will be employed when they are released from prison.
“Reforming offenders so they can positively contribute to society as well as being punished for their crimes by denying them their freedom is what prison is about and what both communities and businesses demand,” said Hanson.
“Initiatives like the academy at HMP Wandsworth are an inspiring example of how we can use the expertise and knowledge of both the private and public sectors to improve employment opportunities for prisoners on release so they don’t return to a life of offending.”
The initiative will help tackle the UK’s IT skills shortage, said Cisco UK public sector director Scot Gardner.
“The academy at HMP Wandsworth will develop real-world, in-demand skills helping to prepare inmates for the workplace and therefore reducing re-offending.”
The academy is a public/private partnership developed by Working Ventures UK and the London Employer Accord in partnership with Cisco, Panduit, Bovis Lend Lease and HM Prison Service (HMPS). It will be delivered by Cisco and HMPS Regime Services.
Regarding other people's comments about the untrustworthy convicts of our society working in the IT INDUSTRY.I personally completed the PICTA COURSE in HMP WANDSWORTH, and i am now doing work experience in a well known university that has accepted me as a person and not a criminal. with great success .Not
only has it improved my life and my families,but also my local community as i am now a law abiding citizen who contributes to the IT industry aswell as helping other misled individuals in finding the right path away from crime .This course and the people who support it gives people a REAL CHANCE in life to give something back to those who were VICTIMS of crime, as well as giving themselves a great chance to excell in the IT industry and to do the right thing with the help and support that they need to further their educational skills.I personally think its the best thing thats ever happened to me other than having two children,at the end of the day its about WORKING TOGETHER and making this world a better place and helping one another to achieve whats right for our local communities and our families.So to ridicule these opportunities that provide great opportunities for ex-offenders is a lack of faith in our fellow mans ability to change and achieve greater things.I am glad to say that i am living proof that this course does change lives for ex offenders with the help of these people who are involved with this course.
Posted by: jason seare 31 Mar 2009
It costs between £25,000 and £50,000 a year to keep an inmate locked away, during which time his (normally innocent) family often need additional financial help. Every individual given and taking the opportunity to become a law abiding bread winner and taxpayer is of huge benefit to us all. While training is a good investment for the country to make, schemes with private support and sponsorship are truly win-win. May there be many more such schemes.
Posted by: Nick Bishop 16 Jun 2008
After years of under-investment, under-training, offshoring and devaluement of the second biggest industry in the UK.
Lets now give jobs that require a high degree of trust to the proven untrustworthy..
What's wrong with skilling up the unemployed (such as the previous poster) who desperately want to get into IT.
Although I suppose being able to hot- wire cars would make you quite good at cabling...
Another example of how this government has absolutely no idea about IT.
Give me strength,
Posted by: John Watson 11 Jun 2008
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