A Tayside scheme which aims to give offenders a fresh start by offering them free forklift training has scored its first success.
One of the first trainees to go through the course at the Westbank project in Perth has landed a job as a result of his new found qualifications.
The Perth and Kinross Council-run education and employability centre on the city’s Jeanfield Road only started the training two months ago, after two years in the planning.
The base organises work for people who have been sentenced to community payback orders.
Prisoners at Castle Huntly are able to complete the training thanks to funding from the Scottish Government.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf visited the Letham enterprise yesterday and said there was no reason that local authorities across Scotland should not be able to emulate the programme.
The SNP MSP said: “Far too many people come in and out of our prisons through the revolving door. A number of them are on short sentences.
“The chances of rehabilitation you would think are much higher, being here and getting a qualification, than they would be if you had a short prison sentence.
“I can see no reason why we shouldn’t be looking more closely at models like Westbank. It doesn’t mean it can be replicated across the country but there will be aspects that we can try to take forward.”
Bosses recently added a second-hand diesel appliance to their fleet, alongside their existing forklift. A Manitou Telehandler truck, capable of moving 4.5 tonnes at a time, is set to arrive in June.
On-site instructors provide free training to boost the chances of clients finding full time work after their sentence. The qualification, which usually costs more than £500, is internationally recognised.
People who are in full time education will also be eligible to take the free course, which lasts between two and a half and four and a half days, is places are available.
Directors say they intend to balance the books by offering regular commercial training.
One service user, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “The benefit for me is that this is leading me into more opportunities and work itself.
“It’s given me more of a sight of work itself and more momentum, and the want to do something. It keeps me in a routine as well.
“It is a lot better than some of the alternatives.”
Perth City Centre Conservative councillor Chris Ahern added: “This is something Perth is very proud of.
“Sheriffs are seeing this as an alternative. The Scottish Prison Service is constantly at 100% capacity and there’s space here.”
