Construction firm Kier has been appointed to work with inmates at HMP Ranby Prison in Retford, Nottinghamshire as part of its Making Ground scheme.

Serving prisoners will benefit from improved learning facilities, as well as training carried out by the Construction Skills Programme, leading to greater employment opportunities.

The 12-week Construction Skills Programme, which is run by employability and skills provider PeoplePlus, will be held three times a year with groups of 12 serving prisoners. Kier has worked with PeoplePlus to guide the modules and create the training schedule and has committed to at least three visits per course.

The skills gained by prisoners include a CAT and Genny health and safety course, street works, working at height, manual handling, and abrasive wheels training. The course also includes modules to support wellbeing.

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As part of its engagement with HMP Ranby, Kier has recently resurfaced the prison’s 900sqm yard, which is the size of two basketball courts, and has overhauled its training rooms in time for the Construction Skills Programme to start this month.

The Kier Highways Solutions (KHS) arm of Kier, which has in-house manufacturing and bitumen production capabilities, led on the facility upgrades over a two-day period.

Lee Draper, general manager at Kier Highways Solutions, said: "We're pleased to mark the start of our partnership with Ranby Prison by upgrading its training spaces. We have worked closely with the prison's training providers over the past five months to create modules that support a seamless transition into working life with Kier Highways or the wider industry.

"The work we do with prisons is highly rewarding. We can improve people’s lives by offering them a second chance – through providing meaningful employment, new skills and a positive sense of community. This partnership forms part of Kier's strategy to bridge the skills gap in the sector, and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with Ranby Prison and its dedicated skills programme well into the future."

Andy Sleight, governor of HMP Ranby, added: "I'm looking forward to this positive development, which will ensure that more prisoners will leave Ranby with the skills and qualifications required to secure meaningful employment."