Vocational Training: Making the Vision of Earning a Living a Reality

The old saying goes: Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach him how to fish, and you feed him for life. That’s the basic principle behind vocational programs in our nation’s prisons, and the concept has been taken to a higher level by CCA. The company believes in training inmates in real skilled trades that have real value in today’s competitive marketplace.

The depth and scope of vocational programs at CCA facilities is unmatched, both in terms of the number of classrooms and labs devoted to skill development and the quality of instructors on hand. In fact, many instructors are skilled tradespersons themselves, with years of great experience behind them. In no other area is CCA doing more to meet its responsibility of changing lives and putting individuals on the road to productive and prosperous careers.

Industry Work Programs

Everyone’s heard the old cliché about prison inmates serving out their time by stamping out license plates. While that old image may no longer match with reality, CCA facilities do put inmates to work in modern programs that are aligned closely with outside companies.

Work opportunities allow inmates to earn money, learn job skills, develop a work ethic and enhance self-esteem. Participation in these programs enhances their opportunity to land a job after their release. Depending on the facility, the programs are either operated independently or as part of the Federal Prison Industry Enhancement Program.

Trades Training

CCA’s vocational programs are light years ahead of the previous generation’s prison work details and odd jobs. Inmates are enrolled in skill-building initiatives that offer meaningful, rewarding opportunities to gain self-esteem. Training programs are designed with an eye on realistic future jobs and careers including:

  • Carpentry
  • Computer applications
  • Construction and building trades
  • Electrical
  • Horticulture and landscaping
  • Masonry
  • Painting
  • Plumbing

CCA was the first corrections agency to achieve accreditation by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), a nationally recognized authority in construction and maintenance training quality. As the accrediting body for the industry, NCCER establishes the benchmark for quality training and assessments. By partnering with industry and academia, NCCER has developed a system for program accreditation that is similar to those found in institutions of higher learning. This process fosters national unity among the construction industry while providing a defined career path with industry-recognized credentials. NCCER’s accreditation process assures that students and craft professionals receive quality training based on uniform standards and criteria.

Microsoft Office Specialist Program

CCA is also an authorized testing center for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) program, a globally recognized exam based proficiency certification in Microsoft applications. MOS certification for Microsoft Office requires passing one or more certification exams. MOS certification exams provide a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise by evaluating overall comprehension of Microsoft Office or Office Project programs, the ability to use advanced features and proficiency in integrating Office programs with other software.