News
Anyone can turn their lives around and learn new skills
Unemployment figures are still high and although economic activity is on the up, finding a job in the current competitive market is difficult, but also it a challenge for employers to find the workers they need with the right skills.
Research undertaken by Proskills has shown that the proportion of Glass companies reporting vacancies is significantly lower than in previous research, as would be expected in a recession. Although a third of companies with vacancies are still reporting difficulty filling them. Most of these “hard to fill” vacancies were said to be because of a lack of skilled applicants and vacancies are most likely to be experienced amongst skilled trade occupations and process, plant and machine operatives.
However, in a positive step to secure employment you may be surprised to hear that there have been successful efforts made to secure full time employment for ex offenders in the glass and glazing industry. It goes to show that there are opportunities out there for everyone if you work hard and there are many similar examples in other industries.
If you go into any Prison Industry workshop across the prison estate and you could be forgiven for thinking you were at a manufacturing enterprise on any Industrial Estate in a town near you. What you will find are productive, motivated prisoners producing goods for the internal and external markets.
The usual Health & Safety signage, the obligatory “Factories Act” prominently displayed, prisoner shift work, and notice boards are evident. The aim is to recreate the commercial working environment to give prisoners, many of whom have never worked before, every chance of turning their lives away from crime through securing work upon release.
One prisoner for example, first started working in the aluminium window workshop 18 months ago, and worked hard to develop a portfolio to achieve his NVQ level 2 Manufacture of Glass Supporting Frames.
Mick Clayton, the Deputy Chief Executive of the Glass Qualification Authority, wrote, “I was more than impressed with the content of the portfolios, with the excellent work produced by the candidates being a testament to the skill of their assessors / mentors and I certainly regard the portfolios as the best I have seen from a collective of candidates in my time at the GQA”.
A representative from the Prison Services aluminium supplier Beaufort Secure Designs met the prisoner while in custody and he took part in a full interview. On interviewing the prisoner, it was obviously apparent he knew what was required of him and had the underpinning knowledge required to support his practical skills. The prisoner was subsequently offered an employment opportunity earning pay in line with the sector rates position on the spot! This was followed up by a written offer of employment which he commenced on 8 March 2010.
In the past 12 months approximately 45 candidates have achieved a full NVQ 2 qualification. Further links have been developed in the London Area and meetings are currently being arranged with external companies and two prisons HMP Wormwood Scrubs and HMP The Mount. There are currently five job vacancies being held for prisoners on release who have achieved the NVQ level 2, as there is a shortage of qualified and skilled engineers in this industry.
As well as delivering a range of nationally recognised accreditations which are of value to potential employers , the Prisons Skills and Employment Unit are well aware of the need to instill “alarm clock friendly” skills which all employers expect of their staff – punctuality, conscientiousness, the ability to work in teams, follow instructions, thus producing ‘Job Ready’ employees.
The Prisons Skills and Employment Unit have successful partnerships with a range of companies who see the value of helping Prison Industries train offenders in their product range in readiness for recruitment upon release. This “try before you buy” strategy means developing a relationship with the prisoner as he/she comes to the end of their sentence – assessing that both sides are content with the partnership and then assisting the organisation and prisoner through the recruitment process.
The Prisons Skills and Employment Unit have dedicated resources developing relationships with the commercial sector striving to get prisoners out of the spiral of offending and leading law-abiding lives and this is a great example of how anyone, anywhere can learn new skills are secure themselves great career opportunities.
The job market may be difficult but there are vacancies. You just need the skills.
For more information regarding training in Glass and Related industries contact Neil Robinson on 07917 015 322 or email neil.robinson@proskills.co.uk
For more information on the Prisons Skills and Employment Unit please contact Angela Christopher MBE on 0207 217 5400 or email angela.christopher@noms.gsi.gov.uk