BANGKOK, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Corrections Department under the Thai Ministry of Justice has joined hands with a university and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to help train and improve vocational skills of inmates.
The Corrections Department, Kasetsart University and the Federation of Thai SMEs, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a project to develop and enhance the skills of existing inmates, said Narat Svetanan, director-general of the Corrections Department on Thursday.
It is necessary to train our in-house inmates with skills, especially skills that involve new innovations that have emerged while they have been in prison, Narat said.
"So if prisoners are released from correctional facilities, then they would be equipped with necessary skills to facilitate them in finding new jobs," said Narat, "or they can start their own businesses if they want without relying on employers or entrepreneurs, which has always been a challenge for ex-convicts."
The Federation of Thai SMEs will support the program by providing intensive training courses based on prisoners' skills and aptitude, with an aim to improve their skills to technician or specialist level.
Narat said that several SMEs have already offered training programs at their factories for parolees.
