Women prisoners graduate from infrastructure course

For immediate release 18 March 2016

Women prisoners graduate from infrastructure course in Auckland

Fifteen prisoners, who have completed a level 2 infrastructure course at Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility (ARWCF), are graduating on Friday, 18 March 2016.

Representatives from several local industries have been invited to attend the graduation ceremony.

“Our partnership with these companies and industries is vital in establishing mutually beneficial relationships that could potentially open the door to future job opportunities for the women upon their release,” said Cheryle Mikaere, ARWCF prison director.

“The course prepares women for roles in the civil construction sector, including surveying assistant, traffic controller, general labour, and pavement surfacing. We make sure the women are fully trained and skilled so that when they leave the prison, they will be an immediate asset to any employer in a relevant industry.”

The eight-month infrastructure course started in May 2015.

The programme included topics such as maintaining small machinery on a work site, reading and interpreting civil construction drawings, understanding the basics about earthworks and pavement surfacing, and obtaining a license to operate as a traffic controller.

Each participant also gained an understanding of the health and safety requirements in the civil and earthworks industry.

A level 3 course is due to start on 24 March 2016. So far, 12 women have already enrolled, seven of whom are continuing on from their level 2 course.

The graduation ceremony starts at 1pm.

ENDS

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