Willmott Dixon launches prison drylining academy

Chief executive Rick Willmott opens the new drylining academy

Willmott Dixon has launched a drylining academy within a Kent prison with the aim of preparing inmates for a career in construction once their sentence has ended.

The contractor has teamed up with HMP Elmley to open the Willmott Dixon Building Lives Drylining Academy to provide residents with drylining skills and a CSCS card to help them move into employment when they are released, as CM revealed in January.

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Willmott Dixon and its supply chain converted a warehouse in the prison into an academy facility and has also equipped prison officers with the skills necessary to deliver six-week-long in-house courses for prison residents.

The academy aims to train over 100 HMP Elmley inmates each year so they are ready to work, with Willmott Dixon’s supply chain partners and local job agencies part of the process to find them jobs. It is estimated that currently only 17% of ex-offenders quickly find work on release, with re-offending more likely for those who are unemployed.

This is the third Building Lives Academy launched by Willmott Dixon in the last 12 months, having already opened facilities in Corydon and Kingston, both adjacent to construction projects being delivered in these two London boroughs.

So far, they have trained 150 young unemployed people. Candidates who attend  Croydon and Kingston get a Level 1 Certificate in Construction Operations, Level 1 Certificate in Health and Safety at Work, plus a CSCS card. Afterwards, candidates are supported to apply for work with Willmott Dixon, supply chain partners or other construction opportunities advertised by a local employment service.

‘Purpose beyond profit’

The academies are part of Willmott Dixon’s ‘purpose beyond profit’ ethos to play an active role in strengthening the well-being of society through the contribution of its people. Last year, four out of five Willmott Dixon people undertook a community-related project as part of the company’s volunteering policy.

Willmott Dixon’s regional head of legacy Richard Pickett, who helped set up the drylining academy, said: “It’s a logical step to tap into the potential of people who are in prison but keen to find a sustainable and rewarding job on release. Our industry needs to constantly think of imaginative new ideas if we are to attract the people we need and this is a very replicable model that’s easy to migrate to other UK prisons.”

Andy Davy, HMP Elmley deputy governor, said: “HMP Elmley and the Reducing ReOffending team are excited to be working in partnership with Willmott Dixon. Being able to better prepare our residents with the appropriate skills to transition straight into employment upon release is a priority for the Prison. Employment is a definite contributor to the reduction in offending behaviour and helps to build stronger family stability.”

Willmott Dixon managing director in south London and southern homes counties, Roger Forsdyke, added: “Our company is committed to transforming 10,000 people’s life chances by 2020 and this academy is very much aimed at delivering this promise.”