Amey, in partnership with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) charity, has begun rolling out its new youth rehabilitation initiative across the prison estate in England and Wales.
The Step Ahead Pathway programme, aimed at helping young people in prison gain employment on release, is now underway at HMP Brinsford in Wolverhampton.
Research shows that young people not engaged in education, training, or employment are five times more likely to have a criminal record than their peers. This programme aims to break that cycle and reduce the £18 billion total annual cost of reoffending to taxpayers.
The programme is designed to transform the lives of prisoners under the age of 24. Over six months, participants will work towards achieving a Bronze DofE Award while gaining hands-on experience with the Amey team and preparing for employment opportunities.
Co-created with prison staff, Amey and the DofE have tailored the programme to combine vocational qualifications with the essential skills, resilience, and self-belief fostered through the DofE. The initiative is expected to support up to 168 young offenders across an initial three-year commitment, equipping them with the tools and experience needed to secure meaningful employment post release, a significant step forward in youth justice reform.
Rickilee Marston, Learning and Skills Manager at HMP Brinsford, said: “As individuals transition towards release, our rehabilitation approach will now be supported by the Amey and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award teams through the Step Ahead programme, while working in partnership with our dedicated employment lead to secure job opportunities in the community.
“By combining practical qualifications, life skills, and through-the-gate support, this initiative reflects our commitment to reducing reoffending and empowering individuals to build positive futures.”
Emily Davies, ESG Director at Amey, said: “Young people in prison are one of society's most marginalised groups, often with limited means to improve their circumstances. This programme forms part of our wider rehabilitation approach that aims to remove barriers and unlock talent across the prison estate.
“Our approach to reducing reoffending has been developed alongside the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service, Employment Advisory Boards, charities and those with lived experience over the last 10 years. With more than 10,000 young people serving sentences in prison, this is the latest step forward in our joint ambition to reduce reoffending.”
Emily Cooke, Youth Justice Programme Manager at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), said: “Our partnership with Amey is about giving young people in prison the chance to develop the skills, resilience, and self-belief they need to fulfil their potential on release. By combining the structure and personal growth of a DofE programme with practical work experience, we’re equipping young people to take real steps towards employment – a key factor in reducing re-offending. Every young person deserves the opportunity to move forward, and this programme is a powerful example of how targeted support and practical experience can help young people in prison build towards a more positive future.”
The Step Ahead Pathway builds on the success of existing Amey initiatives such as the Clean, Rehabilitative, Enabling and Decent (CRED) programme, aligning DofE activities with practical work experience in sectors including grounds maintenance, warehousing, and administration. Helping young prisoners be better equipped for employment upon release.