OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Behind the prison walls of Oshkosh Correctional Institution, chefs are in the making.
“We are actually inmates, we are frowned upon but we are human, we are people just like everyone else,” said Terrence Cloyd.
Cloyd tells FOX 11 he’s turning his life around one meal at a time.
“I love to cook, there’s no problem with me coming in and getting the job done.”
The culinary program is just one of the 40 apprenticeship programs the state’s Department of Corrections offers.
“They would complete what’s called the related instruction side of it, which is the schooling portion, which is part of an apprenticeship. It’s 10% part of apprenticeship and 90% on the job training,” said Joshua Johnson with the state’s Department of Workforce Development.
Johnson tells FOX 11 participants are less likely to end up back in prison.
“They learn to take responsibility that’s another thing I like about it, gets them focused on future, what they’re going to do to be there for families, to provide for families as well as themselves,” said Judy Smith, the Oshkosh Correctional Institution warden.
The state’s unemployment rate is at or below 3 percent which means there are not enough workers to fill open positions but employers tell me the apprenticeship program here will hopefully change that.
“There’s a huge demand in the workforce,” said August Hoppe, the president for Hoppe Tree Service.
Hoppe works in the tree industry and tells FOX 11 he’s turning to inmates in the gardening apprenticeship program as potential workers.
“I think it’s wonderful to have programs like this so people can re-enter the workforce I’m really excited to look at ways we can link the horticulture and arborist program.”
While prisoners are learning skills, Cloyd said it also offers him hope.
“Going forward I’ll be able to open my own business and run it properly and know the ins and outs about everything.”
Forty-five inmates in Oshkosh have completed a registered apprenticeship program in the last five years.
