Called Track to Success, the initiative involves hands-on experience and the theoretical knowledge needed for jobs in the railway sector.
Prisoners who complete the course earn nationally recognised qualifications and have good prospects for ongoing employment.
Assistant Director, Prisoner Employment Programs and Transitional Services, Larry Smith, says Track to Success has strong support from industry.
“Many employers have indicated they need skilled workers. There are hundreds of jobs available at the moment. In the mining sector and also in the metro area where lots of rail is being upgraded.”
“This means the prisoners would almost be guaranteed a job when they’re released. And this is crucial to reducing the risk of reoffending,” he said.
The 13 weeks of training includes units in laying railway sleepers, rail fastening systems as well as heat and cut materials using oxy-LPG and critical communications in the rail industry.
One prisoner on the program says the training is an opportunity to change his life.
“After prison I hope to work fly in fly out on the rail. I hope to be successful and not come back and so do all the boys,” he said.
Women prisoners will also be given the opportunity to undergo this training as it will be rolled out in Bandyup Women’s Prison early next year.
The program is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and is run in partnership with several training and employment agencies.
