Almost 50 inmates at Aylesbury Young Offenders Institution have been awarded technician training certificates after completing T-TEP, the Toyota technical education programme.The Vocational Related Qualification certificates, ranging from Level 1 to Level 4, were earned at a Toyota-sponsored motor vehicle training facility at the institution.

Inmates have to earn the right to attend the course, which is funded by Toyota. They are screened and hand-picked. 

The training scheme was launched at Aylesbury Young Offenders Institution in 1998, allowing prisoners to work towards a Level 3 Technical Certificate accredited by the Institute of The Motor Industry.

It operates to the same standards as Toyota’s other UK training centres, said the manufacturer. 

The 18-month course has so far trained more than 240 vehicle technicians.  

Level 4 was introduced this year and requires a further six months training.

Robin Giles, Toyota general manager for corporate planning and social responsibility, who was present at the award ceremony, said: “The fact that some inmates have chosen to delay their parole so that they can complete the
course speaks volumes for how successful it has become.”

David Kennedy, governor of Aylesbury YOI, said: “I am delighted to be part of such an important partnership between the Prison Service and Toyota. 

“Prisoners who have had very little opportunity to achieve qualifications prior to incarceration now have the opportunity to gain skills which are likely to lead to their employment
on release, thus addressing one of the major factors in
re-offending.”