Prisoners to be trained for Christchurch rebuild

Photo / Herald on Sunday

Christchurch prisoners are to be given training to help with rebuilding the city.

"The second Christchurch earthquake has generated a huge demand for trade skills as the rebuild gets under way," Corrections Minister Judith Collins said today.

"To meet this demand, the Department of Corrections will be ramping up trade training in the areas of highest demand."

Ms Collins said between 130 and 160 new training placements in specific trades would be provided at Christchurch Men's Prison over the next year.

Three training workshops, delivering courses in painting, plastering, plumbing, drain laying and gas welding, would also be established in the low security area of the prison.

Existing carpentry and joinery skills for house building and refurbishment training would also be expanded.

"The training workshops will be operational by late October and the first group of prisoners will be completing NZQA qualifications in the New Year," Ms Collins said.

"This increase in employment and trade training will also reduce re-offending because it provides prisoners with the real skills they will need to find a job following release."

Employers and Manufacturers Association chief executive Alasdair Thompson welcomed the move, saying if the Christchurch scheme proved successful it should be rolled out across the country.

"Giving prisoners skills training is a practical response to the shortage of skilled workers Christchurch will need as the re-build gets under way," Mr Thompson said.

"Just as important is that prisoners will get the chance to earn a trade's skill they can put to good use in their lives after prison for their own benefit and the nation."

- NZPA