Amey, in partnership with the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), has expanded its Unlocking Future Connections programme to Scotland’s largest prison, HMP Barlinnie, to help reduce reoffending by supporting people leaving custody into employment.
The initiative forms part of a nationwide programme rolling out across 15 prisons and is backed by £245,000 in funding from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Industry Impact Fund. Delivered with industry partners including Speedy Hire, Hatton Traffic Management and Breedon, alongside training provider Raeburn, the programme supports participants to build skills, develop confidence and access employment opportunities. It also helps address skills shortages across the highways and construction sectors by providing the industry with new talent.
The programme is delivered in two phases. It begins with employer-led engagement sessions designed to build confidence and provide careers insight, before progressing participants into accredited, industry-recognised training and employment pathways aligned to real opportunities within Amey and its supply chain.
This approach creates a clear pathway from initial engagement through to work-ready status.
The programme has already supported 78 individuals across five prisons, with early cohorts progressing into further training and two securing permanent employment opportunities across the sector.
Katy Bald, Senior Social Value Manager at Amey, and programme designer, said:
“We are proud to be trusted by SPS to bring this programme to HMP Barlinnie, building on the success we have already seen through earlier delivery.
“As Scotland’s largest prison and a key reception site for individuals entering custody from courts across the west of the country, this is a significant opportunity to deliver real impact and help break the cycle of reoffending.
“It is incredibly encouraging to see the programme gaining momentum, and we look forward to continuing that progress as it expands to more prisons.”
The expansion to HMP Barlinnie marks a further step in scaling the programme across the UK, delivering meaningful social value by supporting people with lived experience of the justice system into sustainable employment, reducing reoffending and helping to build stronger, more resilient communities.
Lynsey Weston, Learning, Skills and Employability Manager for SPS, said:
“We know that those leaving custody can face significant barriers in securing employment, and this is often why people struggle to break the cycle of offending.
“Across our prisons we provide a range of training and employability programmes to ensure individuals in our care can gain new skills, broaden their experience and better prepare them for the world of work.
“We are delighted to have Amey as a trusted partner. Working together, we are determined to streamline the path to employment for those leaving custody and support them to make positive changes to their lives.”
A February 2023 episode of our Highways Voices podcast featured the similarly focused Bridge of Hope scheme and its partnership with Kiely Bros. You can listen to that episode by clicking HERE.
(Picture: Amey)
