REACH gets Stephen back on track
Location: Nottinghamshire, East Midlands
ESF Funding: National Offender Management Service (NOMS)
ESF Target Group: Ex-offender
Since he left school Stephen had worked in a variety of jobs and for most of his adult life as a rail engineer, a job he really enjoyed. Stephen was unexpectedly made redundant in March 2010 and his life began to spiral out of control. He started drinking heavily and coupled with unemployment his problems resulted in a two year prison sentence in HMP Ranby in Nottinghamshire for his offending behaviour.
This was Stephen’s first time in prison and it gave him a lot of time to sit and reflect on the mistakes he’d made. As he was reaching the end of his sentence Stephen knew that he had to start making plans for release. He heard about the ESF REACH Project from one of the officers on the wing and asked if he could be referred to the programme.
Stephen was determined to get his life back on track and get back into the rail industry. After his initial interview with REACH he was assigned a case manager who helped him to develop an action plan. A priority for Stephen was to renew his Personal Track Safety Licence (PTS) and gain his Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. He was referred to HMP Ranby’s Training and Employment Support team and was allocated a place on their rail track programme.
This programme enabled Stephen to brush up on his skills and not only obtain his PTS Licence but gain an accredited City & Guilds Diploma in Rail Engineering. Through the REACH Project participant fund Stephen received the financial support to secure his CITB Health & Safety Test for his CSCS card and obtain the revision material. Much of his time leading up to release was spent revising to make sure he passed the test.
Stephen also attended a pre-release workshop at HMP Ranby where he was supported to write a CV, complete some work on disclosure and the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and carry out a live job search. In addition Stephen was supported to contact several employers in the rail industry to enquire about job opportunities.
After several negative responses, Stephen got in touch with Coyle Rail Ltd. Stephen had completed some sub-contract work with them in the past and after looking at his CV and seeing that he had gained his PTS licence Coyle decided to offer him employment on his release from prison.
Coyle Rail also recommended that due to Stephens’s extensive experience if he could complete a Controller of Site Safety course (COSS) there could be an opportunity for him to work in a supervisory role. Coyle Rail agreed to sponsor Stephen through the course as his new employer and financial support was obtained through the ESF Discretionary Access Fund to cover his tuition.
When Stephen was released from prison he passed his Health and Safety test and gained his CSCS card and has continued to receive support from the ESF REACH Project. He has also started working full time for Coyle Rail Ltd as a rail engineer on a major contract in Nottingham.
Rob Wands, Training and Development Manager at Coyle said:
"Stephen is getting on incredibly well. We are glad to have him and are busy using him in every capacity he is capable."
Stephen, says:
"When I got a prison sentence I thought it was all finished for me. Without The REACH Project and the Resettlement team at HMP Ranby I don’t think I would have got back into work. In fact I could have ended up back where I was. The project has given me a lot of confidence and the opportunity to renew my licences. Thank you."