The Gwinnett County Department of Corrections recently held a graduation ceremony for the second class of a vocational welding program designed to equip inmates with an occupational skill to help them land good jobs upon release.
The ceremony recognized 14 graduates and featured guest speakers including D. Glen Cannon, president of Gwinnett Technical College, and Warden Darrell Johnson.
“One of the hardest things about coming out of prison is finding a job,” said Johnson. “With this program, they have a marketable skill that will help them start a new life with new hope. Some of our participants have spent much or most of their lives incarcerated, but this program gives them a realistic shot at success when they get out. The first class graduated a year ago, and of the 11 who have been released, all found jobs immediately.”
The 16-week program is offered through a partnership between Gwinnett County Department of Corrections, the Georgia Department of Corrections, the Atlanta Regional Commission and Gwinnett Technical College.
Other vocational training includes forklift licensing, ServSafe, building maintenance and computer science. The department also provides literacy and GED classes for inmates, with GED testing conducted onsite.
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