Incarcerated people approaching the end of their prison sentences have a new program to get job training, thanks to a new federal grant. Louisiana Works Secretary Susie Schowen says the Department of Labor awarded the commission a RESTART Grant of more than $5 million, and the money will be put to good use.
“Helping our people who have been incarcerated transition into the workforce, stabilize themselves so that they don’t return to the old life that got them into trouble in the first place,” Schowen said.
Schowen says Louisiana Works will provide job training in skills essential to Louisiana’s economy, including advanced manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding.
“Our goal in this initiative is really focused on the career coaching, occupational training, opportunities for work-based learning like apprenticeships and internships, and targeted support,” Schowen explained.
Schowen says by focusing on skilled labor, Louisiana Works can get inmates the training they need in as short amount of time as possible so that when they are released, they can immediately re-enter the workforce and become productive members of society once again.
“These jobs pay really well, they’re very stable; they’ve got a great long-term outlook. But they also don’t require the type of college preparation that a white-collar job generally requires,” Schowen noted.
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