Prison Authority expanding successful soft skills training program

The California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) plans to expand soft skills training to incarcerated individuals in its programs after the end of a successful Essential Skills for the Workforce (ESW) pilot program. The Essential Skills for the Workforce program introduces life and professional skills necessary to be successful in the workplace such as communication, enthusiasm and positive attitude, teamwork, networking, leadership, problem-solving, critical-thinking, conflict resolution, workplace ethics, creative thinking, time management, and flexibility and adaptability. In September, the Prison Industry Board approved the implementation of the Essential Skills for the Workforce pilot program for a select number of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) incarcerated persons assigned to California Prison Industry Authority enterprises. Nearly 90 incarcerated individuals who participated in the California Prison Industry Authority have successfully completed the program. "While CALPIA provides technical skills that may get a graduate's foot in the door, people skills are what keep doors open and help secure future job opportunities," said Bill Davidson, California Prison Industry Authority's acting general manager and the Prison Industry Board executive officer. "CALPIA has taken the extra step in our role in rehabilitating incarcerated individuals by introducing this program that helps people to communicate and collaborate effectively in the workplace." The Essential Skills for the Workforce workbook was created by the California Prison Industry Authority's Workforce Development Branch, which included Staff Services Manager II and Workforce Development trainer Regina Banks and Lead Workforce Development coordinator and former California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Chief Deputy Warden Robin L. Harrington. Both developers worked with California Prison Industry Authority staff and incarcerated individuals for their input and review. "As we equip incarcerated individuals with technical work skills to reenter the workforce, we also must acknowledge that soft skills are an essential part to their success in not only getting a job but keeping a job," said Harrington. "This workbook was developed to highlight workplace expectations that are universal and apply to any trade, profession and career." Building on research, common workplace practices, and curriculum for justice-involved individuals, the Essential Skills for the Workforce workbook is self-paced and self-reflective. This pilot program aligns with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and California Prison Industry Authority's mission to facilitate the successful reintegration of individuals to their communities. Incarcerated individuals are also introduced to interpersonal and social skills, self-awareness, managing emotions, managing stress, empathy in the workplace and professionalism in the workplace. The Essential Skills for the Workforce pilot project involved approximately 10 to 15 participants at several institutions, which included California Correctional Institution, California Institution for Women, California State Prison Corcoran, Central California Women's Facility, Folsom State Prison and Folsom Women's Facility, Mule Creek State Prison, California State Prison Solano and Valley State Prison. Each person in the pilot program was monitored through a case management process in which workforce development coordinators, superintendents and supervisors not only mentor pilot participants,but also address questions and concerns in the application of soft skills both in pre- and post-work situations, conduct check-ins with participants and monitor progress. California Prison Industry Authority anticipates offering the Essential Skills for the Workforce program to all participants in the authority's job training programs, starting next fiscal year.