Executive Summary
In early 2026, GVA, in collaboration with National Highways, delivered a comprehensive land-based skills program at HMP Hindley. Led by GVA’s Training Coordinator, Andrew Fletcher, the initiative focused on upskilling prison staff and residents to create a direct pipeline from custody to employment within the landscaping and arboriculture sectors. By providing industry-recognised Lantra certifications, the project moved beyond theoretical learning to deliver tangible, life-changing career prospects.
The Motivation: Education with a Purpose
The core objective was to provide inmates—specifically those within six months of release—with physical, tangible certificates that hold weight in the professional world.
Insight
“It was all about giving the lads the best possible chance of getting into employment within land-based industries upon leaving.”
Andrew Fletcher, GVA Training Coordinator
GVA identified that while many residents were interested in the prison’s landscape section, they lacked the formal accreditation required by commercial employers. This program bridged that gap by offering the same high-standard training used across the private sector.
The Training Model: A Two-Tiered Approach
To ensure the sustainability of the skills being taught, GVA implemented a “train the trainer” model alongside direct resident instruction.
- Staff Upskilling: GVA first trained Tommy Condron, the prison officer overseeing the landscape department, at GVA’s dedicated Training Centre. This ensured Tommy had the relevant skills to assist with safety protocols and provide ongoing mentorship to residents.
- Resident Training: Following a successful pilot in late 2025, a full three-month package was delivered from January to March 2026.
The Curriculum Included:
- Health & Safety: Theory-based sessions focusing on site walkovers and risk awareness.
- Lantra Technical Skills: Hands-on training and maintenance for Leaf Blowers, Brush Cutters/Strimmers, Woodchippers, and Hedge Trimmers.
- Emergency First Aid at Work: Delivered via a third-party provider, SEF First Aid, to complete the safety profile of the learners.
Overcoming Barriers: Logistics & Security
Working within a Category C environment required meticulous planning. GVA collaborated closely with Chris Nuttall (Employment Hub) and the prison’s security lead, Daniel, to ensure all equipment was vetted and cleared for entry.
Key Logistics:
- Staff Vetting: Instructors Andrew Fletcher, Josh Chilvers, and Pete Lorenshaw underwent high-level DBS clearances.
- Flexibility: GVA adapted teaching styles to support learners with varying levels of literacy or attention difficulties, ensuring no one was left behind.
- Safety: By training Tommy first, GVA had an “on-the-ground” expert who understood both prison protocols and machinery safety, streamlining the practical sessions.
Impact & Results
The program yielded impressive qualitative and quantitative results for the 12 participants involved:
- Industry Standard: Learners were held to the same rigorous Lantra standards as external commercial students. No leniencies were given, ensuring their cards are 100% valid for employment.
- Confidence & Soft Skills: Andrew noted a significant shift in personality; quiet, reserved inmates “came out of their shells,” gaining the confidence to discuss career prospects and mental health openly.
- Sense of Ownership: The training fed into a wider gardening project at the prison—a focal feature involving hard and soft landscaping. This gave residents a sense of pride and identity often lost in the prison system.
Metric
Outcome
Total Participants
12 Residents (6 Pilot / 6 Full Package)
Staff Upskilled
Lantra (Technical Units) & Emergency First Aid
Accreditation
1 (Tommy Condron)
Duration
3 Months (Full Package)
Reflections from GVA
For GVA, this project was an opportunity to give back to the community and challenge preconceived notions about prison education. The experience highlighted the value of early engagement; by training inmates before release, employers can vet potential candidates in a controlled environment over several weeks, rather than a single 30-minute interview.
Potential Career Pathways for Graduates:
- Commercial Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance
- Arboriculture (Tree Work)
- Vegetation Clearance for Construction
- Environmental Management
The Future of Land-Based Reintegration
This initiative serves as a successful blueprint for how specialist contractors can meaningfully collaborate to create a positive impact together with the Justice System. By equipping residents with Lantra-accredited skills, the project has turned “time served” into “time invested,” providing a clear pathway for individuals to transition from HMP Hindley into purposeful, long-term careers in the land-based sector.
