DARTMOOR Prison and Duchy College are joining forces to launch a new centre which will train offenders and non-offenders in vocational skills. The Dartmoor Prison and Duchy College community land-based training centre will be based outside the prison on 40 acres of what used to be the prison farm. Donated by the Duchy estates, the site contains a small woodland, polytunnels and a number of stone buildings along with some pasture land and the Napoleonic and American civil war cemeteries. New classrooms and staff offices are to be built and some farm buildings are being converted internally. Peter Walker, section leader, countryside, at Duchy College said: ?The project came about because we were invited by Graham Verrall, prison governor, to become involved in a new approach to prison education. ?We aim to pilot certain courses for six months to see what works and what does not. This will form the basis of our future planning. ?The project responds to a need for training in land-based skills and helps offenders and non-offenders to increase their vocational qualifications and their work-based learning experiences and to progress to employment. ?We hope to offer a long-term training provision for the local communities in towns and villages around the moor.? A site co-ordinator will be employed by Duchy College to organise the training provision, while four agricultural staff members from the prison farm will assist in course delivery. Initially, courses will be provided in land-based subjects. Participants will learn a range of fencing techniques, footpath maintenance, dry stone walling and tractor handling skills. In addition, candidates will be able to take up to seven National Proficiency Test Council (NPTC) skills tests such as health and safety, manual handling, first aid at work, tractor driving and fork lift truck driving. The Learning and Skills Council is providing funding of £60,000 for the pilot scheme over six months from February 7 to August 31.
