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Fourteen people on community sentences in Otago have increased their job prospects through completing a new two-day work ready course.

At the end of the two days, 12 participants had completed their NZQA First Aid certificate, 14 their Sitesafe Passport, and 12 people completed their NZQA Risk Management certificate. Nine participants completed all three qualifications.

“We chose to focus on learning areas which we know employers will find useful and increase participants’ skills to give them an advantage in the job market,” says Otago Service Manager Cathryn Elsworthy.

“All these courses are well recognised and appreciated by prospective employers.”

Otago Area Employment & Training Consultant Christine Crawford says this was a great achievement for participants and they should all be hugely proud of themselves.

“It was great to see everyone - especially those who struggle with self-esteem - move outside their comfort zone, sit in a classroom and learn. We could see their confidence grow through the course.”

One woman and her partner, who both attended the course, commented that they were worried about sitting through full on courses in a classroom but that they really enjoyed it and learned lots.

Another, a woman who had recently been released from prison, said she was very grateful of the opportunity and the late call up for the training. She said it was an awesome two days and will be hugely beneficial to a job she was about to start.

Christine says a large part of the success of the course was due to Probation and Community Work staff who motivated people to engage with the training.

Community Work Supervisor Nick Horn, who attended both days and supported the participants in their learning, said those who attended all three courses were really engaged.

“I think it was a good format. The three courses linked nicely together and all were relevant to each other.”

“Everyone really benefitted from the learning and we’re excited to see what the future holds for them,” he says.

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