MP presents EKC Group's training centre for prisoners with prestigious award

An MP has formally presented East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) with a prestigious award for its adult training centre for prisoners.

Earlier this year, EKC Group’s EKC Training site in Eastchurch, which offers courses to those who are on Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) from an open prison, was crowned the winner of the Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Award for Widening Participation.

The prestigious award recognises, celebrates and promotes examples of Colleges which go above and beyond to widen participation in learning and their local communities.

Earlier today (Friday, 5 September), the MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, Kevin McKenna, visited the EKC Training site in Eastchurch, where he presented the AoC Beacon Award to the Head of Centre, Danny Walder.

Having been crowned winners of the Widening Participation category in March, today marked the success of the centre as the award was officially presented.

Speaking at the event, MP Kevin McKenna said: “This provision is so important. We know that when people come out of prison, the thing that is most likely to keep them on the straight and narrow is if they go straight into employment.

“But it’s also about the skills that they learn here, the sense of self-worth that they’ve lost while in prison, or maybe the reason they are in prison in the first place. This can really give that to people, which strengthens our community, and is part of what makes our community safer.

“This model works here, but it’s not being rolled out everywhere. Other people haven’t gone down this route, but it works really well. The reoffending rate is really low, and this is honestly the sort of stuff that we need to be having more of in the country.

“Part of my job now is to make sure more people hear about it.”

The EKC Training centre in Eastchurch aims to equip individuals with the skills necessary to secure employment upon their release from prison. 

The open-prison status also allows inmates to participate in courses and, in some cases, engage in paid employment through the ROTL scheme.  

Since the Group began delivering provision there, the centre has experienced significant growth in both enrolments and successful outcomes. It achieved an overall success rate of 97.2 per cent in 2023-2024, with the provision helping to deliver training courses that have a real impact on the learners. The prison now boasts one of the lowest reoffending rates in England. 

David Newton, Head of Education, Skills and Work, at HMP Standford Hill said: “HMP Standford Hill and East Kent Colleges Group have developed a thriving symbiotic partnership over the past few years where Standford Hill’s men benefit from the Outstanding training provided by the EKC Training tutors, who offer courses at Levels 1 and 2 in Bricklaying, Electrical Installation, Plumbing, Site Carpentry and Railtrack.

“It is a hugely successful partnership which has been recognised by both Ofsted, and EKC Group, and it contributes to HMP Standford Hill having a remarkably low re-offending rate.”

Chief Executive Officer for EKC Group, Lucy McLeod, said: “It was absolutely fantastic to welcome the MP Kevin McKenna to our EKC Training site in Eastchurch today to celebrate their success in the AoC Beacon Award for Widening Participation. 
 
“I am incredibly proud that EKC Group has been recognised with this award for the work we are delivering at HM Prison Standford Hill, and this success is a testament to the power of education in giving individuals a second chance, helping them develop new skills, and creating brighter futures.”

The AoC Beacon Awards celebrate excellence in the sector and highlight the breadth and quality of education in colleges throughout the UK. They also help to increase the understanding of colleges’ contribution to their communities’ economic and social development. 

AoC is the national voice for further education, sixth form, tertiary and specialist colleges in England. 

It is a not-for-profit membership organisation established in 1996 by colleges, for colleges. Its members make up more than 90% of the sector – educating and training 1.6 million people each year.