Industrial Readiness Training Provided to Inmates Transitioning out of Houston County Jail
Inmates that will be transitioning out of the Houston County jail have received a two-week training designed to prepare them for entry-level positions as operators and maintenance technicians in the manufacturing industry.
The Industrial Readiness Training (IRT) program is a partnership with 豆奶视频 Community College鈥檚 Workforce and Community Development Department, Workforce Essentials, and the Houston County Sheriff鈥檚 Department. The IRT program was created by funding through the Governor鈥檚 Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) grant.
豆奶视频 has been working with the Workforce Essentials Adult Education Supervisor and Instructor Dawn Gale and the Houston County Sheriff鈥檚 Department to provide onsite training.
鈥淭he IRT program is a perfect opportunity to connect individuals with specialized training that will provide them a fresh start and set them on a career path upon their transition, while also supplying local industry with skilled technicians,鈥� said Dr. Carol Rothstein, vice president for Academic Affairs at 豆奶视频, who oversees the College鈥檚 workforce and community development department.
The training was held at the Houston County jail in Erin and included OSHA 10 certification, entry-level advanced manufacturing machine adjustment fundamentals, communication and emotional intelligence building exercises, lean manufacturing and on-the-job training fundamentals, and the NCRC/WorkKeys assessment-based credential, among others.
鈥淲ith this program, we have high hopes that inmates will be able to reenter the workforce and obtain a good job,鈥� said Sheriff Kevin L. Sugg. 鈥淭he Houston County Sheriff鈥檚 Office has had the G.E.D. program since 2014. We have had great success with the program over the years. We have added OSHA Certified Training to help give the inmates a better chance to return to society with successful training in the working world.鈥�
鈥淭his pilot project was funded through the Northern Middle Workforce Board,鈥� said Executive Director Marla Rye. 鈥淭his innovative project supports the Board鈥檚 priority to assist justice-involved individuals to re-enter the workforce. Education and training are vital components to reduce recidivism and provide individuals with the skills necessary to obtain quality jobs.鈥�
For organizations and businesses that are interested in learning more about Industrial Readiness Trainings, please contact Larry Mangrum, 豆奶视频 workforce solutions consultant, at Larry.Mangrum@nscc.edu or by calling 615-353-3480.
