TDCJ Announces Skills Demonstration and Career Expo Showcasing Inmate Job Skills

TDCJ’s Skills Demonstration and Career Expo provide hands-on exhibits of inmates’ job skills for second-chance employers and media.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is extending an open invitation to the public for the Skills Demonstration and Career Expo, scheduled for tomorrow, January 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the A. M. “Mac” Stringfellow Unit in Rosharon, Texas.

This initiative, as per a TDCJ press release, offers a unique opportunity for second-chance employers and media representatives to witness practical job skills acquired by inmates during their incarceration. Live demonstrations will feature various fields, including electrical work, culinary arts, truck driving, and welding.

Attendees will get the opportunity to see the mechanical shops and classrooms where prisoners receive daily training. In addition, participants will get a chance to engage with prisoners who are about to reintegrate into their communities.

According to TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier, the Skills Demonstration and Career Expo holds significance, allowing employers to observe inmates showcasing their job skills in a hands-on environment. Collier noted that such events empower incarcerated individuals to present themselves as work-ready upon release, ultimately contributing to increased employment opportunities in their respective communities.

Collier emphasized TDCJ’s vision of hosting more events similar to the program to spotlight the positive developments occurring behind the fences.

With a primary goal of having 95 percent of the TDCJ inmate population employed prior to their release by 2030, the Skills Demonstration and Career Expo represents a crucial step toward achieving this objective.

The Skills Demonstration and Career Expo is a collaborative effort involving the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Windham School District, and Central Texas College. Through this joint effort, the expo aims to create a platform for the public and employers to engage with the skills and capabilities of incarcerated individuals, supporting their successful reintegration into society.

Source: https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/connections/-articles/2024/20240103_Skills_Expo.html