For those returning to the community after serving a custodial sentence, finding employment is important to staying on track. For those with a criminal record, a job can be hard to come by.
A new initiative at Whanganui Prison hopes to help change that and make it easier for some prisoners to navigate the change to life on the outside and create safer communities by helping offenders gain employment after release.
Through the combined efforts of Connexis, a work-based training provider for infrastructure industries, and the Department of Corrections, selected prisoners have been working toward the NZ Certificate of Infrastructure Works (level 3) while in custody at Whanganui Prison.
Connexis trainer Graham Wharepapa visited the prisoners at the Corrections facility regularly to take them through the required training modules. The prisoners had to complete the practical requirements of the course while working within the grounds of the Corrections facility.
The initial pilot course, which finished earlier in 2025, involved five prisoners as well as Principal Industry Instructor, Richie Campbell who went through the training alongside the prisoners and will help lead similar future programmes within the Corrections facility with Graham’s support.
Connexis Executive Director Kaarin Gaukrodger says the organisation is extremely proud of being a part of the Whanganui programme and how well the pilot programme has gone.
“We see first-hand how powerful a tool training and education can be in providing people a sense of achievement and direction,” Gaukrodger says. “It’s been gratifying to see how well the work-based training model has been transported into the prison environment, thanks to the commitment of the Corrections and Connexis staff involved.
“We hope that holding a qualification provides these newly qualified graduates a step-up to getting a job and making a positive new start once they leave the prison.”
Corrections Principal Industry Instructor, Richie Campbell describes the pilot programme as a huge success. He says it coincides well with the facility’s approach of providing programmes that help give the prisoners a strong foundation for safely settling back into the community upon release.
Campbell says the graduating prisoners have all enjoyed the challenge of completing their qualification. “When they’re in the prison’s concrete yard they’re looking at some of the potholes around the yard asking if they can repair the potholes. It’s great to see that the prisoners now have the knowledge of how to repair them.”
“Some of the prisoners have worked in the Civil Industry before, but what this programme does, is it gives them that piece of paper that tells an employer what they can do. It also gives them an understanding of how to safely operate within the Civil Industry and programme which is a priority in all the programmes we offer”.
“Having that qualification should give them a bit of a step up in setting them up for employment on release from prison. Employment can really support people to live crime free by providing them with income, purpose, and community networks.”
One prisoner who graduated said: “What I liked about this course (IWL3) is the variety of skills I have learnt, and the self-confidence I gained from in doing the work in the Civil Construction area. Doing this course has given me a better chance of Release to Work (RTW) and gaining employment once released.”
Another graduate wrote “What I liked about it, was the fact that the tutor had worked in the field most of his life. He was patient and very thorough in his teachings. Also very understanding in our lack of spelling skills. He made sure that before we moved onto another subject that we understood what we had previously learnt.
“What was particularly challenging, was the spelling, and for me, personally, I had done a lot of this work before as a construction labourer. What this course did for me was put things in context and explained to me why I was doing those jobs. Also, although I did a lot of work and had skills in different work areas, I never had the right qualifications for what I was doing – but now I have.”
He added: “I felt good (after completion) because I want to skill myself up for when I get released, so I can give myself a better chance of getting employment on the outside. I now have three different qualifications in different fields of work. So, I have more chances to get employed. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate in this course. I very much appreciated it.”
Connexis Area Manager Central Jason Belcher says it’s pleasing to see the success of the pilot programme in Whanganui and how it’s been supported by different parties.
“It’s been great to see the support the programme has had, and to see these guys graduate with their certificates.”
Campbell says the graduation ceremony is a special moment for all those involved in training programmes. “Seeing these guys receive the first qualification they’ve achieved is special.”