The Otago Corrections Facility (OCF) is hosting its second annual Employers' Open Day on April 14.
OCF employment placement co-ordinator Sherie Lucke said it was a chance for employers to take people on who were work-ready and committed to sustaining change in their lives.
‘‘These men are asking for the chance to work with an employer who will give them a go ... [and] be a positive influence in their lives,'' she said.
‘‘It is a sad reality that, for many of these men, it has taken a crime and time in prison for them to find that they have the skills, interests, motivation and ability to live a very different life going forward.''
The open day will showcase industry at the prison, including hospitality, engineering, carpentry, horticulture, farming, painting, joinery and small motors. The prisoners work while earning recognised industry qualifications.
Research has shown a strong correlation between employment and living a crime-free life, Ms Lucke said.
OCF has been working closely with the Otago Southland Employers' Association (OSEA), which is encouraging members to attend the open day or get in contact to talk about potential new employees.
OSEA operations business development manager John Rigby said the association supported what OCF was doing.
‘‘The open day provides a great opportunity to see what training is going on in the prison, find out about employing offenders and meet other employers who are already doing just that,'' Mr Rigby said.
‘‘Apart from the benefits of employing good staff, I think once someone has done their time we have a social responsibility to give someone another chance.''
● To register interest in the open day, email sherie.lucke@corrections.govt.nz
