Advance to Work
Advance to work is funded and supported by the Department of Corrective Services (DCS).
The program aim is to provide assistance to offenders up to six months prior to release and to offenders who have recently been released from prison to find sustainable employment and/or undertake higher learning that will also assist in maximising employment opportunities. Maintaining a network of agencies that have the ability to provide direct and indirect support for clients is essential to ensure that clients employment needs are met.
Prisoners are registered onto the program and then supported through and past the date of release for a period of up to six months.
The structure of the program includes three elements of delivery. As follows:
- 1. Registration, LLN, job search training and training needs analysis (Prior to release)
- 2. Personal development, job search training employment placement and, supporting services including training and employment support services (On and after release from prison)
- 3. Post-placement Support to maximise sustainable outcomes (On commencement of employment)
Key components of the program include a training needs analysis, language literacy and numeracy assessments, career pathway planning, personal development training, job search training and post placement support. Offenders post release are referred to supporting agencies such as indigenous support groups and networks, job network providers, Centrelink and other agencies and training organisations who have the ability to provide employment related, and social support services. Services are accessed on an individual needs basis.
Where barriers such as physical and/or mental health issues present, clients are referred to the appropriate agencies or health care professionals for further support. This support may include counselling, medical, educational, drug and alcohol support services, housing and transport.
A client's progress is monitored throughout the course of the program. Monitoring takes place through the review process. The process aims to measure the progress of the client/participant whilst participating in the program and in particular during the employment placement period. The review process assists in developing and implementing solutions to issues as they arise.
Post-placement support is a major element of the program as it serves to provide support and encouragement to the client in the early stages of employment. It also identifies any issues that may need to be addressed (i.e. cultural, transport, child care etc) that may have an impact on the client's ability to maintain long-term employment. After the initial post-placement support period clients continue to be monitored for three months.
PREAP is a support program that seeks to provide a high level of personal development, professional job search training and support services for offenders and offenders post-release from Qld correctional facilities. It serves to maximise sustainable employment outcomes and/or provide higher learning opportunities through a holistic approach to service provision.
More Information
Please contact us on Free Call 1300 784 263 and one of our helpful BSI Learning representatives will assist you and your program needs.