Railway training sets prisoners on the right track (with audio grabs)
A group of six prisoners at Townsville Men's Low Custody Correctional Centre are on track to reform after completing a Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure.
The course, delivered under supervision alongside Registered Training Organisation Occupational Skills Centre Australia, is providing prisoners education and qualifications to secure employment upon release, in turn reducing recidivism and the number of victims of crime.
Successful completion of the course opens potential employment opportunities in track work, track maintenance and track installation.
QCS Vocational Training Officer Jess said the six graduating prisoners were motivated to become productive members of society by finishing the course and receiving their certificates.
"Each prisoner was required to complete 16 modules to earn the certificate, with a combination of classroom work and practical work," she said.
"It's that recognition of getting the certificate at the end that will give them the get up and go because now they have that skillset, and it opens up opportunities for when they're released to get themselves into the workplace.
"QCS offers a range of programs and interventions aimed at helping prisoners reform their behaviour through education or vocational training that gives them a sense of self-worth and increases their chance of employment post-release."
The course has previously been run at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre (Mareeba), with QCS officers working together to learn from their experience and implement the course in Townsville using best practice.
Rail infrastructure is vital to North Queensland for the transport of freight from inland and interstate to Townsville's port, while track building and maintenance remains a vital skill in responding to flooding and natural disaster recovery.
Occupational Skills Centre Australia's Trainer and Assessor Jeff said expansion in the rail industry is happening nationally with the prisoners learning vital skills to commence employment.
"The course is basically a foothold into the rail industry, it's something that the industry across the board has put in as a prerequisite for getting into the rail industry as far as track maintenance," he said.
"It covers everything from health and safety, communication, manual handling and the core modules and then we go into the specialized units like ballasts, sleepers, fasteners and we cover a bit about track geometry as well.
"We came off the back of a disaster coming into this course and the officers at the Correctional Centre were very supportive, were able to adapt to the changes throughout and were very supportive in giving advice and direction when needed for training in this environment."
Audio grabs below from QCS Vocational Training Officers and Occupational Skills Centre Australia below:
QCS Vocational Training Officer, Jess:
QCS Service Delivery Support Officer, Brad:
Trainer and Assessor, Occupational Skills Centre Australia, Jeff:
