PROMOTE – Promoting Integrated Professional Development for Prison Practitioners in Vocational Excellence for Offender Reintegration

The project aims to:

• Create a learning experience that transforms professionals from diverse backgrounds who serve individuals in prison.
• Provide training and upskilling opportunities for professionals involved in supporting the reintegration of convicted persons.
• Encourage collaboration among professionals from various disciplines to facilitate positive change within the prison system.
• Empower professionals to make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals in prison by fostering an environment of continuous learning, empathy, and respect.
• Adopt a learner-centered approach to upskilling, focusing on acquiring specific skill sets and problem-solving approach.
• Create centers of vocational excellence to democratize access to learning and upskilling, providing practitioners with necessary tools and resources.
• Encourage participatory research and community-led solutions, empowering practitioners to become active participants in their professional development.
• Implement a process of recognizing prior learning and providing micro-credentials recognized by employers and validated by vocational education and training (VET) providers.

The project will engage in the following activities:

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current situation and needs of the correctional sector and the professionals working with convicted persons in Europe
• Develop a common framework and methodology for defining and assessing the skills and competencies of professionals working with convicted persons
• Establish and foster collaboration and coordination among different sectors and agencies that are involved in community integration of convicted persons, creating a shared vision and common goals, especially on the upskilling strategies.
• Provide and facilitate access to high-quality training and learning opportunities for professionals working with convicted persons
• Set up the CoVE physical context
• Develop a curriculum framework to support the work of correctional staff in promoting social inclusion, employability, and reintegration of convicted individuals.
• Deliver the Training involving groups of professionals
• Organize Transnational joint training

The project will yield the following results:

• Reports including survey and interview data and analysis, policy review and Inspiring Practices: collecting empirical data, analyzing existing practices, and reviewing policies related to professional training in the correctional system.
• Ecosystem map: collecting data from partners on stakeholders and institutions involved in community integration
• Occupational profiles for professionals working with convicted persons
• Policy recommendation to the Prison Administrations in Europe on how to change the perspective on upskilling
• Physical set up of the CoVE (Centre of Vocational Excellence) including the development of its governance structure
• Curriculum framework including the creation of an online learning platform and virtual simulations  to empower correctional staff to facilitate the development of essential skills and attitudes among convicted individuals 
• Certification Concepts and Mechanisms
• Sustainable partnership
• Best Practices Handbook
• Face-to-Face training sessions & Transnational Joint Training Program
• Final Conference