Securing employment is a key part of successful reintegration back into society upon prison release, Amey and Bell Group have teamed up with the New Futures Network to create a series of academies that will help transform lives and reduce reoffending
The new prison academy at HMP Hewell and Featherstone will provide prisoners with an opportunity to gain an industry-recognised vocational qualification in painting and decorating and a Construction Skills Certification Scheme card to help them move straight into employment when back in the community.
The partnership builds on the successful Amey CRED (Clean, Rehabilitative, Enabling, Decent) programme, which currently runs in 24 prisons and provides prisoners with the opportunity to learn new skills and gain valuable work experience on the Amey Prison Facilities Management team.
Everyone who successfully graduates from the academy will have the opportunity for a role at Bell as part of a broader effort to reduce re-offending and help the construction industry tackle its skills shortage.
The new academy is part of Amey’s commitment to ensure that as a business, they play an active role in making a lasting impact on communities, people and the environment in the areas they operate
Reduce re-offending and bridge the gap
Anna Higham, head of corporate & social responsibility at Bell Group said: “Expanding our Academy Model into the prison network is a very exciting time for us.
“In a growing industry that has a severe skills shortage we are looking to engage with as many people as possible who are passionate about construction.
“Working with Amey and the Prison Service to achieve this whilst also helping to reduce re-offending is a defining moment for us and we can’t wait to start this journey.”
