Reoffending costs the UK economy over £21bn annually, creating immense pressure on frontline services, while trapping individuals in devastating cycles of custody. With over 87,000 prisoners in England and Wales and an average cost of £51,000 per prisoner, our prison system represents significant untapped potential for skills development and genuine rehabilitation.

The statistics tell a stark story: around 80% of offending is reoffending. However, latest data reveals a powerful solution – employment dramatically changes outcomes, with reoffending rates dropping by approximately half when prison leavers secure work within six weeks of release.

A Revolutionary Approach to Rehabilitation

At City & Guild’s Training, we have pioneered a groundbreaking response to this challenge through our partnership with HMP Highpoint, creating the UK’s first Rail Engineering Centre of Excellence skills hub. This first-of-its-kind model transforms how we approach prisoner rehabilitation, moving beyond traditional education to deliver industry-standard training with guaranteed employment outcomes upon release.

Our innovative four-stage process delivers real results:

  • Stage 1: Prisoners are recruited based on real employer demand in specific industries and local areas, ensuring training leads directly to available jobs.
  • Stage 2: Selected individuals transfer to HMP Highpoint for intensive, hands-on industry training combined with direct employer engagement, creating authentic workplace connections.
  • Stage 3: Trainees return to their local prison for local release.
  • Stage 4: A guaranteed job opportunity awaits on release, supported by comprehensive pastoral care and ongoing support.

Expanding Impact Across Industries

Building on our rail engineering success, we have expanded the HMP Highpoint model to include Construction Plant training facilities. Our diversification now spans construction trades, Streetworks qualifications, green skills, and other high-demand sectors, multiplying opportunities for meaningful career pathways.

Working in partnership with over 120 prisons across England and Wales, we collaborate directly with employers and HM Prison & Probation Service to ensure our training meets real industry needs while providing the wraparound support essential for successful reintegration.

This isn’t just about reducing reoffending statistics, it’s about transforming lives. When we provide genuine skills training and guaranteed employment opportunities, we create life-changing impact that extends far beyond individual prisoners to their families and communities, building a safer, more productive society for everyone.

“Being given the opportunity to stay away from trouble, not having to go and reoffend for the sake of money, it all comes down to job opportunities. Gaining the skills I needed to get onto the railway; it gave me the opportunity to get straight into work upon leaving prison. It just totally minimised the possibility of me going back and reoffending.”

Alumni Learner

You can find out more about our partnership with HMP Highpoint here or, get in touch with our team.