Amey has secured £245,000 from the Construction Industry Training Board's (CITB) Industry Impact Fund to help deliver a Scottish Prison Service (SPS) training programme aimed at improving skills and employment prospects for people in custody.

Launching on 26 February at HMP Inverness, the two-year scheme will take accredited industry training and job opportunities directly into SPS establishments to help participants prepare for life after release.

The initiative is designed to reduce reoffending by creating clear pathways into sustainable employment, while addressing critical skills gaps across the highways and construction sectors. It builds on Unlocking Future Connections, an Amey and SPS-led programme providing recognised qualifications and practical experience.

Sarah Angus, Director of Policy at SPS, said: "We know that those leaving custody can face significant barriers in entering the workforce 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 and together we can support individuals to make positive changes to their lives and to successfully contribute to their communities on release."

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Delivery will be supported by supply chain partners including Speedy Hire, Hatton and Breedon, which will provide equipment, expertise and route-to-work opportunities. Practical workshops and industry-led sessions will cover highway maintenance, winter services, incident support, health and safety, and highway inspections. SPS will support delivery in custodial settings and provide national governance.

Tailored training delivered by Raeburn will include traffic management, construction equipment operation and street works, leading to industry-recognised qualifications such as Lantra, CPCS, NPORS and NRSWA Street Works certification.

Roddy Clark, Business Director for Amey in Scotland & Northern Ireland, said: "We are excited to launch this initiative, and the trust placed in us by SPS and CITB is a testament to Amey's strong track record in delivering effective programmes that reduce reoffending. We look forward to seeing the success stories that will emerge across Scotland's prisons as individuals gain new skills, confidence and opportunities for a fresh start.

"This programme not only helps close the critical skills gap facing our industry, it also reduces the wider burden on the taxpayer by supporting people into sustainable employment and lowering the risk of reoffending. We are proud to play our part in creating safer, stronger communities across Scotland."

Vanessa Freeman, Head of Grant and Funding Products at CITB, added: "This was a strong application that the whole panel was in support of approving. The training developed as part of this project will help employers with how to engage with prisons, helping individuals back into work. We are proud to support this important initiative, which changes lives and positively impacts communities."