Nashville State Community College helps prepare inmates for release with new training partnership
The Industrial Readiness Training program is a partnership between Nashville State and the Houston County Sheriff's Department which is providing two-week training programs to inmates to help them secure manufacturing jobs upon release from jail.
The Workforce and Community Development Department at Nashville State Community College has launched a new program in collaboration with the Sheriff’s Department of Houston County. The Industrial Readiness Training (IRT) program provides soon-to-be-released inmates with two-week training sessions which will qualify them for entry-level jobs in the manufacturing sector. Funding for the program comes from a Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education grant, according to a press release from the college.
Other details from the press release explain that in addition to technical and safety fundamentals, the course also includes soft-skills training to help participants be well-rounded applicants for jobs that are currently in high demand. As Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Carol Rothstein said, "The IRT program is a perfect opportunity to connect individuals with specialized training that will provide them a fresh start and set them on a career path upon their transition, while also supplying local industry with skilled technicians."
Sheriff Kevin L. Sugg also expressed optimism for the initiative, saying, "With this program, we have high hopes that inmates will be able to reenter the workforce and obtain a good job. The Houston County Sheriff’s Office has had the G.E.D. program since 2014. We have had great success with the program over the years. We have added OSHA Certified Training to help give the inmates a better chance to return to society with successful training in the working world."
IRT is still searching for more area businesses that want to participate.