The Industry Skills Centre (ISC) pre and post-release program commenced in 2008 as a pilot with Corrections Victoria. Barry Rickard has worked on the program since its inception and has been able to expand its coverage to 11 Victorian prison locations. CVGT Australia has been an integral partner in this program over the past 6 years and has provided on the ground field officer support at many prison locations across the State.
The program works closely with ISC participants during their last 18 months of their sentence and then assists participants into employment or further training. Over the past 7 years the program has worked with over 1500 participants and achieved approximately 55% employment or training outcomes for participants post release. Recidivism rates with ISC participants has also been well below State averages. This program has been extremely challenging, and has highlighted the long term community benefits to working closely with ex-offenders and assisting them into employment and training opportunities.
GTAV would like to thank a number of members that have supported the program over the past 7 years, including Skillinvest, G-Force and MEGT.