Willmott Dixon opens fourth drylining course for prisoners  

Willmott Dixon has launched its Drylining Academy at HMP Lincoln to upskill prisoners and help them find employment upon release. 

Working alongside its local supply chain partners, Willmott Dixon has facilitated and launched the academy, with the first cohort of learners finishing this month.  

Groups of up to eight prisoners will go through the academy to learn drylining skills and also obtain a CSCS card. 

As the fourth Drylining Academy launched by Willmott Dixon, having seen success at HMP Elmley, HMP Belmarsh and HMP Cardiff, it is hoped that the scheme will reduce the likelihood of reoffending within the Lincolnshire community. 

Nick Heath, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “We are incredibly proud to be launching our first Drylining Academy here in the Midlands at HMP Lincoln. Willmott Dixon is committed to providing opportunities within the communities we work in, and with our remit in the county growing at pace, our newest academy is very much aimed at delivering on this promise within Lincolnshire. 

“There is a real skills shortage within the construction industry and the academy not only offers huge benefits to ex-offenders by equipping them with the skills required to transition into a rewarding job once their sentence has come to term, but it also boosts the local talent pool with skilled workers.” 

Heath added: “We’re really pleased that this first cohort will be completing their training soon, and the academy is already proving to be a success with some of them already in talks with some of our supply chain about job opportunities upon their release.” 

Read more about how ex-offenders are helping to close construction skills gaps here.