Transferring Skills To Jobs Janice C. Pearce, Research Analyst Office of Transition Services Statewide Conference on Offender Reentry “Shaping the Future of Transition” May 1-3, 2007

Skills Training Opportunities While incarcerated inmates are encouraged to take advantage of vocational training and/or skills development opportunities.

Skills Training Opportunities Work/skills development opportunities include unit-based work assignments such as unit services, food service and Correction Enterprise, work assignments in the community such as road squads and community work crew.

The big question is… Are the skills being taught to men and women during incarceration transferable to jobs or job opportunities upon release??

Project Objective The Department of Correction’s commitment to transitional services for all offenders resulted in a request from the Secretary’s Office to take a look at transferable skill development prospects of those inmates employed through Correction Enterprise (CE), the Inmate Construction Program (ICP) and the Welding Program administered by the Engineering section.

Research examined training opportunities available to inmates and their transferability to jobs or job opportunities upon release

Project Overview – Step 1 Compile a list of industries and occupations found within Correction Enterprise and Inmate Construction and Welding Programs.

Project Overview – Step 2 Identify related occupations and review for transferability of skills using state and national occupational data.

Project Overview – Step 3 Develop industry profiles to present specific industry and occupational data to the inmate population and the case managers who assist them with career and education choices.

Profiles Description of business activity Matched Occupations Education, Training and Experience General Work Activities Employment and Wage Outlook Selected Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Related Occupations

Career Resource Tools Occupational Information Network (O*NET) Interactive, accessible occupational information Americas Career InfoNet (ACINET) Resource for making informed career decisions to support a demand driven workforce investment system Occupational Outlook Handbook Information on hundreds of different jobs their training and educational needs, working conditions, what workers do on the job and anticipated job prospects

Employer Incentives Federal Bonding Program Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit - (WtW) Work Opportunity Tax Credit – WOTC) For more information on these programs contact your local ESC Office or Joblink Career Center

Like my friend here, this research has only scratched the surface. Future studies could expand the list of job opportunities, identify industries and occupations considered to be “offender friendly” and the skills necessary to prepare offenders to be considered for employment.

Thank You ! Contact Information: Janice C. Pearce Post Office Box 365 Youngsville, NC /