Amelia Amesbury, Assistant Technical Specialist at BICSc, reports.
Training in prisons has come a long way over the years, and organisations like ours are proud to be part of that progress. By delivering structured, industry-recognised cleaning qualifications inside prisons, we like to think we’re helping people bridge the gap between time inside and getting back into work. This doesn’t just support rehabilitation, it also has real benefits for the wider cleaning and facilities management industry.
At BICSc, we recognise that every learner is different; some prefer a more theoretical approach, but mostly our learners benefit from a more hands-on experience. Which is why our courses are a mixture of both styles. We have courses available that are suitable for all levels. If you are completely new to the industry, we have entry-level courses that cover the basics and focus on your safety, and you can then progress to more specialised skills, as well as courses tailored for supervisors and managers. Our courses are designed to reflect real working environments so that individuals who have developed these skills within prison are brought one step closer to preparing them for working life outside of prison.
The commercial value of this approach is clear, as it focuses on getting people job-ready. Cleaning is a sector that doesn’t always need lots of formal qualifications to get started, but there’s a big demand for people who are skilled and reliable. By achieving industry recognised qualifications whilst they are serving their sentence, when they are able to be released, they are leaving the system with qualifications that can strengthen their CVs. This can make such an impact when they are seeking employment and can potentially reduce the chances of them reoffending. In addition, these qualifications align with industry standards, which means they can apply for work immediately.
For the cleaning industry, this opens a useful pipeline of trained workers at a time when finding and keeping staff can be tough. Employers often struggle to fill frontline roles, so having people come through with hands-on training and a real drive to turn things around can make a big difference. In that sense, training in prisons doesn’t just help individuals, it can also help tackle staff shortages while adding real social value to the industry.
Unfortunately, we know that hiring ex-offenders can carry a degree of stigma, and concerns can arise around reliability, whether the individual is trustworthy, and what the clients’ perception will be, but this is where external training and accredited qualifications can really help. They provide a clear, recognised benchmark for someone’s level of skill and can demonstrate a commitment which may help to alleviate a potential employer’s concerns. Businesses that embrace this talent pool can actually strengthen their ESG commitments. With an accessible workforce readily available, forward-thinking companies could reach out to industry partners such as SBFM, No Going Back, and many more, including the prisons themselves, to help access this trained workforce. By nurturing and making these connections, businesses can secure hard-working, grateful, motivated individuals who are eager to contribute, and create a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers while reinforcing their commitment to social value and long-term workforce development.
Training in prisons is a really important step forward for both rehabilitation and workforce development. By giving people recognised, practical skills, it boosts employability, helps support their reintegration into society and could offer them a purpose. Simultaneously, the cleaning industry stands to benefit at the same time, as we would have access to a new selection of trained and qualified workers to pick from. Whilst there are still challenges around perception and the right level of support, this approach shows how training can create potential for individuals, businesses, and society.
https://www.bics.org.uk/
About the contributor
Amelia Amesbury
Assistant Technical Specialist
BICSc