8 prisoners complete pre-apprenticeship course in HMP Isis
Written by Lucy Hart.
“I have one piece of advice for other prisoners – join this course”
Eight Breakthrough Associates graduate from our first pre-apprenticeship course in HMP Isis
26th January saw eight associates successfully graduate from our pre-apprenticeship course in HMP Isis, equipped with the soft skills that all careers value, alongside the specific technical skills that will be required for their apprenticeships. The stage was set in the prison library, with a table spread with the supermarket’s finest pastries, before we were joined by our graduates and plus ones from their wing, sweeping in with infectious energy.
Rory, our prison programme lead, kicked off proceedings with a look back at how much the group had learnt and practised over the past 8 weeks – in resilience as well as hard skills. Then Emma, a City solicitor who’s volunteered her time to train our associates in how to set themselves up for success through their mindset and behaviours, reinforced her faith in them and her hopes for how they would take what they’d learnt through release and into their future careers.
Then the presentation began. Rory and our programme facilitator Nancy introduced each associate with a string of accolades, from ‘the creator of Christmas crisps’ to ‘the soundtrack to our morning’ to ‘the guy who is going to keep the dating world in safe hands with his app idea’. Each graduate was presented with their certificate and had their photo taken, cheered on – and told to “SMILE” – by their classmates, plus ones, as well as Liv, Dee, Mia, Lucy and Tyrone from Breakthrough.
Each graduate shared some words with the group about their experience – no small feat, given that most had no experience of public speaking just a few months earlier. Thanks abounded for the team members and volunteers:
“TJ has been in our position; he’s reminded us that there’s hope. Have faith.” – Lenox
“Rory is a gentle giant; we’ve been head to head at some points but he’s always trying to push me to do more.” – Lenox
“Emma has shown us how well you can do in life; it makes you think about how you could do that for yourself.” – Diamond
“When you’re working, and you feel you can’t do it, Nancy lifts you up.” – Diamond
“Dee deserves accolades. She’s made the definition of a social enterprise.” – Lenox
“The fact they come in here in their spare time, when they don’t have to, can’t be overlooked. Most people forget us.” – Drea
But also encouragement and praise for each other:
“The amount we’ve all changed throughout this whole thing has been mad. Hopefully we can use this on the outside when we’re getting jobs. Let’s stay positive.” – DK
“I’ve seen a change in all of you. Keep on changing when you get outside. Keep progressing. You’ve got real talent.” – Drea
“I have one piece of advice for our plus ones: join this course.” – Ali
Nancy wrapped up the morning with a look back to the first time she stepped inside the prison to today: “We knew we could guarantee that you’d have tech skills by the end of this course, but we couldn’t have guaranteed all the laughter and small acts of kindness that we’ve seen along the way.”
One of the graduate’s plus ones shared: “You build close friendships in prison; it makes you proud to see someone who’s done something that not everyone has.”
We can’t wait to welcome the pre-apprenticeship graduates into the community in the coming months and see them step into employment in the tech industry. Join us volunteering as a business delivery expert or employability coach on our next prison pre-apprenticeship programme and see the talent that’s sitting ready in UK prisons.