NCJ Number
161097
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: January 1996 Pages: 29-31
Date Published
January 1996
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The Correctional Service of Canada has shifted its philosophy toward inmate vocational programs by establishing the Skills for Employment Program.
Abstract
A 1991 draft proposal for revitalizing vocational programs in Canada's Prairie Region called for the re-examination of inmate vocational programs. The proposal's thrust was straightforward, either abandon vocational programs or make them resource-efficient. The proposal further recommended that vocational programs shift their emphasis away from job-specific skills toward generic employability skills, attitudes, and knowledge. In response to this proposal, the Correctional Service of Canada pursued an innovative approach to providing vocational programming and employment skills to inmates. In 1993, the Centre for Career Development Innovation was tasked to develop on-the- job training guides for one correctional facility, including an employment skills and career planning workbook for classroom use. The resulting Skills for Employment Program was piloted for 1 year. The training guides outline job-specific skills needed by inmates to be effective on the job and competitive in the labor market. As the trainee demonstrates competence in each skill, the supervisor and the trainee agree on competence level. When all skills have been mastered, the trainee is awarded a college-level certificate of competence. Program evaluation for the January 1994-July 1995 period indicates 191 skills achievement certificates were awarded: 98 for essential skills achievement, 50 for competitive skills achievement, and 43 for very competitive skills achievement. About 225 employment skills/career planning certificates were awarded to inmates for the completion of a 3-week classroom-based training program. The approach used to identify employability skills and the development of occupational profiles for various areas of inmate employment are described. Further research is recommended to assess the structure and utility of the Skills for Employment Program. 1 footnote and 1 table