Willmott Dixon has set-up the first of what it hopes will become a series of skills academies in prisons.

The company has teamed up with HMP Elmley in Kent to launch the Willmott Dixon Building Lives Drylining Academy.

It will teach inmates drylining skills and help them earn a CSCS card.

Willmott Dixon and its supply chain converted a warehouse inside the prison into an academy facility.

They have also equipped prison officers with accredited skills necessary to deliver six week long in-house courses for inmates.

The academy aims to train over 100 prisoners every year so they are ‘job ready’ on release.

Willmott Dixon’s regional head of legacy Richard Pickett, who helped set up the drylining academy, said: “It’s a logical step to tap into the potential of people who are in prison but keen to find a sustainable and rewarding job on release.

“Our industry needs to constantly think of imaginative new ideas if we are to attract the people we need and this is a very replicable model that’s easy to migrate to other UK prisons.”

Andy Davy, HMP Elmley deputy governor, said, “HMP Elmley and the Reducing ReOffending team are excited to be working in partnership with Willmott Dixon.

“Being able to better prepare our residents with the appropriate skills to transition straight into employment upon release is a priority for the Prison.

“Employment is a definite contributor to the reduction in offending behaviour and helps to build stronger family stability.”

Source: Construction Enquirer