Blending joinery and digital learning at HMP Berwyn

Digital education in vocational training and its potential for rehabilitation

The integration of technology into various industries has brought about a significant shift in the required skills for today's workforce. The woodworking industry is no exception to this trend. It is essential for our joinery workshops in prison establishments across the country to embrace digital skills and support our learners to develop valuable skills that are in demand in today's labour market.

Embedding digital skills in a joinery workshop involves embedding technology into the traditional woodworking process. This includes the use of digital cutting machines, and other computer-controlled equipment. These tools allow learners to create more complex designs and improve the accuracy and efficiency of the manufacturing process.

Advanced skills training is essential in empowering our learners to seek employment on release. By providing the most up-to-date learning opportunities, learners leaving prison have industry standard training and are ready to enter the workplace.

Beyond industry specific tools, many of the digital skills that we take for granted are beginning to form an important component of our provisions. Novus Cambria is engaging learners at HMP Berwyn in technology and applications that are commonplace in life outside of prison.

Finding creative solutions to digital learning in secure environments

Our joinery tutor at HMP Berwyn delivered a session on understanding social media and how the platforms could help learners upon release. Using offline simulators, learners were taught how using Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to create business profiles where they share pictures of completed projects could promote their company and generate new enquiries.

The learners were set the task of creating a social media display board utilising digital design production tools.  They worked together in the workshop, designing 2D drawings of the social media logos and using the specialist machinery to make wooden representations of them.  They then painted them and added explanations of each of them to the display.

Keeping our learners in the loop on the latest tools and information isn’t just necessary for their employability on release but is also vital for their rehabilitation. Our great educators and facilitators work hard to make sure that they aren’t left behind in a rapidly advancing world, increasing their chances of rehabilitation, and providing them the best opportunity to live a successful and happy life.

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