Co-op launches prisoner apprenticeships to tackle skill shortages

Co-op is launching the first rail engineering apprenticeships in collaboration with City & Guilds Foundation.
The initiative, which will be launched at the centre of excellence skills hub at HMP Highpoint, aims to tackle the UK’s rail engineering skills shortages while lowering reoffending rates, which currently cost the UK economy over £21bn per year.
From August, the programme will enable prisoners to complete full apprenticeships and their end-point assessments before release.