The training programme will give HMP Cardiff inmates the chance to learn how to install plasterboard, and will help the construction industry to tackle the shortage of skills by creating a new pipeline of potential construction professionals.
The course is an update from a previous programme run by the prison where participants practiced on chimney breasts, and is designed to provide learners with the most up-to-date industry knowledge and best practices.
In order to give the programme a refresh, the prison replaced the previously used chimney breasts with OSB boards to educate prisoners on fitting drywall and develop their skills.
Designed to mirror a real-life construction site, Etex and Willmott Dixon helped to create an open space with individual workbenches for each participant including colour-coded drylining spec plans on the walls and even a canteen area. To further help the course align with real world practices, the trainers of the course attended Willmott Dixon building sites to witness how the products and techniques worked on the job.
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Etex also created a certification that each participant will receive once they have completed the programme to support them on their journey into employment post-release, while Wilmott Dixon has been working in conjunction with dryline installation businesses to encourage them to hire course participants once they leave prison.
By working collaboratively with the prison, Etex and Willmott Dixon have been able to provide training, industry knowledge, educational literature and building materials - with those on the programme installing Etex brand, Siniat,materials as they learn.
The course is completely unique to the prison system and course leaders will continue to monitor participants once they are released to track employment success.
If proven to be effective, the programme will be introduced amongst other prisons in England and Wales in the future.
Head of the course at HMP Cardiff, David Standing, said: "We feel passionate about introducing this programme to the prison system to help prisoners gain real knowledge that will benefit them once they re-enter the world. It's a really unique and exciting course that will no doubt make a difference to the lives of those who complete it, and we couldn't have done it without the help of Etex and Willmott Dixon.
"The materials and training they've provided have been completely invaluable for both the prisoners and course leaders, and we have been able to create an industry-standard training course and area within the prison like no other. It has been proven that the best way to reduce re-offending rates is to reform prisoners and we look forward to seeing the success of those who complete our course once they leave prison."
Jeff Fry, Area Commercial Manager at Etex, added: "When we heard HMP Cardiff needed support in creating a drywalling training programme that met the standards of the industry, we were more than happy to help. With the sector struggling to recruit and retain workers, it is important to educate those who have never had the chance to learn these skills before whilst also providing them with an opportunity to improve their future and start a really rewarding career."
