Offenders on track for life without crime

8:32pm Wednesday 14th February 2007

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A NEW training scheme designed to help offenders make a fresh start in life is being tested in Bolton.

Those taking part are among the first in the country to benefit from a course to prepare them for the world of work.

"Thinking Skills For The Workplace" helps offenders serving community sentences to deal with issues which may prevent them from finding and keeping a job.

The three-week pilot course, being run by Manchester employment and training firm Work Solutions, covers skills such as problem-solving, communication, assertiveness and conflict management.

Six offenders are involved in the scheme, but the company intends to roll the scheme out to more than 100 offenders across Greater Manchester by the summer.

The scheme is the first to be launched outside a prison and is expected to have benefits for the community by reducing re-offending rates.

One offender who is taking part in the pilot scheme is Simon Walsh, aged 23, from Horwich.

Simon has nearly completed 150 hours of unpaid work, which he carried out as part of a community order. He is now looking forward to building a career as a car body repairs specialist and paint refurbisher.

He is starting a course at Horwich College in September to learn the trade.

"I'm looking forward to getting on with my life now," he said.

"I'm optimistic about the future and I'm focused on doing well at college and getting a good job.

"This course is a big help because it's going to make sure I don't repeat the mistakes I've made in the past.

"You're taught to stop and think about your actions before you do something.

"It's now up to me to make the most of these opportunities."

Once offenders have completed the course, they can have access to more training and support.

Dave McDonald, operations manager for Work Solutions, said: "We currently work with 2,800 offenders across the North-west.

"The evidence shows that if you can get offenders into work, you significantly reduce the chance of them re-offending."

Kas Broli, skills development adviser, added: "We're confident the scheme can help many more people like Simon start to turn their lives around and go on to develop successful careers."

The classes are held in partnership with the Greater Manchester Probation Area at the Bolton Unpaid Work Unit.