Recently Tairawhiti REAP has been working closely with Corrections and their clients providing upskilling opportunities in a range of what they call cottage programmes - with literacy and numeracy embedded. One of the most popular of these has been the Pallet Project course where Corrections clients have learned to make furniture out of old pallets – and maybe get the confidence to pathway into a Level 2 carpentry course, or perhaps start their own cottage industry.
Other cottage industry courses have included small engine maintenance, cooking, sewing, baking and preserving (jams and pickles). Produce is sold at local markets. Some of the courses are for Corrections clients only, others have been open to the wider community. All are aimed at helping people transition into work, income generation/ income saving activities or further education. It builds their confidence to take that critical next step.