Vocational Training in Prisons

According to Government statistics, adults released from prison sometimes go on to reoffend, but participation in education is shown to reduce this. So, to help reduce reoffending rates, we need to encourage as many learners as possible into education and one of the ways we do this is through vocational training. 

Providing learners with industry-relevant training and work experience for their chosen career path, means they can find employment or further training upon release and successfully reintegrate back into society. 

Types of vocational training available at Novus 

At Novus, our vocational provision includes high-quality vocational training programmes, short courses, training workshops and experience-building opportunities delivered by experienced and skilled tutors and trainers who are experts in their field. 

Our vocational training provision varies from prison to prison, but some examples include: 

• Bricklaying
• Woodwork
• Engineering
• Gardening
• Barbering
• Hair and Beauty 
• Catering and Hospitality

Learners work towards nationally recognised qualifications, with embedded English, maths and employability skills available for those learners who require extra support, so they can develop a holistic skill set required by employers. 

Working with partners to provide vocational training 

Our vocational curriculum has been informed and co-designed with our partner employers, so learners and their future employers alike can be confident that they are gaining the relevant skills for their chosen career. 

Working collaboratively with partner employers also ensures that we can provide unique work experience and training opportunities for learners to further develop their technical skills.

Precision Facades visit at HMP/YOI Thorn Cross 

Through our partnership with Wilmott Dixon, Precision Facades visited HMP/YOI Thorn Cross in May to conduct training for both colleagues and learners, in how to apply Brick Slips and Pointing. 

The aim of the training was to:

• Equip learners on construction courses with new knowledge and skills.
• Build on the skills of trainers and enable them to embed this new technique into their courses, so more learners can develop their skills and confidence and choose construction as a viable employment route. 

The training was a huge success with Precision Facades being impressed with what they saw and experienced throughout the training. Plans were also made for Precision Facades to come back and offer more opportunities for learners on ROTL (Release on temporary license). 

Wellbeing Hub at HMP Berwyn  

In October 2023, we launched the Novus Cambria Wellbeing Hub.

We worked in partnership with the Right Course, Fred Sirieix's charity which aims to transform prison staff restaurants, into training facilities that match the Highstreet, helping learners to secure jobs in the Hospitality industry upon release. 

The Wellbeing Hub features a full industrial standard kitchen and barber shop, along with spaces for teaching and supporting learners in small groups. Spaces like these give learners the opportunity to gain vocational skills in courses such as Hospitality and Barbering, which they will be able to utilise in their chosen career path upon release. 

What are the benefits of vocational training for learners?

Vocational skills increase employment prospects and decrease reoffending

One of the biggest barriers to successful rehabilitation, is the lack of employment opportunities for learners once they are released from prison. Without having a job to support themselves, learners are at a high risk of reoffending and going back to prison. 

To help reduce reoffending rates, we support as many learners into education as possible, so that they gain the relevant skills and knowledge needed to find employment upon release. 

Thanks to the vocational and technical provisions on offer at Novus, as well as the support and guidance from the Novus Works Team, many of our learners go on to find long-term employment upon release: 

Business success for former HMP Styal learner 

A former learner from HMP Styal, (who served a 3-year sentence) managed to turn her life around for the better, thanks to the education and employability support she received whilst in prison.

The learner who was initially reluctant to engage in education, began taking English classes and thoroughly enjoyed them. Then, supported by Julie from the Novus Works team, the learner was able to begin the beauty course, after expressing an interest in a career in beauty. 

Upon enrolling, the learner made excellent progress and managed to gain her Level 2 qualification in beauty, a couple of months before she was released and started to seriously consider beauty as her future career. 

However, upon release the learner didn't really know how to get into the beauty industry and didn't have enough confidence to apply for jobs in a proper salon. So, she decided to do some part-time work elsewhere whilst figuring out what to do, while still practicing beauty treatments on her friends and family. 

On the way to her part-time job, the former learner walked past a beauty salon everyday, which advertised Botox and filler treatments. Intrigued by the treatments advertised, she decided to look into further training to be able to perform those kinds of treatments and saved up enough money to take part in the training.

Upon completing the training, the former learner started to do treatments from the comfort of her own home. She advertised locally, and bookings came in fast! Within 12 months, the learner rented a new house which had enough room for her own beauty room, where she could perform the treatments. 

Skills training is more cost effective 

Investing in prison education and skills training for learners is more cost effective in the long-run. In England and Wales, the cost of reoffending to the taxpayer is approximately £18 billion per year.

By investing in prison education and vocational training programmes, learners can gain the skills, experience and qualifications necessary to find employment upon release, and in turn, reduce reoffending. 

Vocational training programmes benefit the wider community

Equipping learners with the skills, experience and qualifications needed to find employment, means that they'll be able to contribute positively to society and become well-rounded members of the community. 

By taking part in education and training opportunities whilst in prison, learners can also positively impact their families. Children of learners are more likely to have a positive role-model on release, breaking the intergenerational cycle of offending.

To find out more about how we support learners into employment, explore our Vocational and Technical education provisions.