Highlighting DOC Career and Technical Programs

February is Career and Technical Month, so the DOC is taking this opportunity to highlight three of its programs:

The DOC runs three Culinary Arts Programs and plans to add another one over the next few months at SCI Phoenix.

Everyone is most familiar with the program run out of the DOC Training Academy. Inmates interested in participating in that program can express an interest to do so, and if they meet criteria set by the Food Services Division in conjunction with the Bureau of Correction Education, inmates are transferred to SCI Camp Hill to complete the nine-week program. The inmates reside at the prison, but are transported by DOC staff each day to participate. Once complete, the inmates have earned a ServSafe certificate that is nationally recognized. This certificate helps the inmate to be one step ahead of others that may be in line for the same job.

The DOC also operates this program at SCIs Muncy and Waymart. They are very similar to the Academy's program, but in addition to ServSafe certification, the inmates also can earn NOCTI certification in baking or cooking (level 1). This is an additional certification that is nationally recognized, and during this portion of the course, inmates learn the basics of being a short order cook or sous chef.

Flagger Program

In May 2016, each state prison had at least one instructor trained by Pennoni Associates in Flagger certification. This curriculum is written in conjunction with rules and regulations set by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

This is a 20-hour course that any inmate can take. Once completed, the inmate receives a card showing satisfactory completion and certification. The car is recognized by a majority of the companies hiring flaggers for highway construction jobs.

Ralph Herge, building trades/carpentry instructor at SCI Chester,
teaches inmates how to be flaggers.

Once certified, instructors immediately implemented the class within state prisons and, to date, more than 5,000 inmates have successfully completed the class.

The most exciting part is that reentrants are acquiring jobs in this field and being paid life-sustaining wages. Some success stories have been received from former SCI Cambridge Springs inmates, several of which work with these companies and support their families through the wages earned being a flagger.

Construction

The Bureau of Correction Education has many vocational programs that are seated in the construction field.

One of these is the Construction Cluster Class at SCI Houtzdale. While most of other programs focus on one trade, this program provides entry-level instruction in several areas.

All the construction-related fields within DOC facilities offer a National Center for Construction and Education Research (NCCER) certification that can be confirmed by potential employers via the center's website. While in this class, the inmate students have the opportunity to receive CORE (basic site and tool safety), Level 1 Masonry, Level 1 Carpentry, Your Role in the Green Environment and Roofing Application.

Additionally, each student that goes through the course also is provided OSHA certification. When an inmate completes this course, he is well rounded in entry-level construction skills and OSHA certified, which makes him much more enticing when applying for a job.