Female prisoners have been given the chance to train in construction while behind bars for the first time ever.
The course aims to break down gender barriers and give inmates a shot at a better life after finishing their sentences.
The 10-week ‘property maintenance bootcamp’ offers women inside the opportunity to work with tools and other building materials.
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HMP Styal, in Cheshire, launched the programme in January.
The prison teamed up with not-for-profit provider Procure Plus.
Inmates will start the training by taking part in a week-long health and safety course and Construction Skills Certification Scheme training.
The women will then attend a ‘meet the employer’ event, as reported by Need To Know.
Inmates will then attend a nine-week property maintenance practical training course.
Lauren Nolan, prison employment lead at HMP Styal, stated: “This will be the first-ever construction workshop within the female estate, which is a huge accomplishment for us as a prison and we are very grateful to Procure Plus for supporting us in this.
“Female prisons typically deliver hair and beauty, catering, or hospitality training, so to have the opportunity to deliver qualifications that move away from the more gender-stereotypical opportunities and diversify our offer for the women in our custody is incredibly exciting; both for the prison and for the women themselves.”
Mike Brogan, chief executive at Procure Plus, said: “This initiative is about offering a real chance for change.
“With women making up only a small fraction of the construction workforce, it’s crucial that we create opportunities like this to challenge industry norms.”
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