About this contract
Career Connect’s Achieve team delivers the Ministry of Justice Prison Careers Information Advice and Guidance (CIAG) service across the East Midlands. The service began in April 2025, across 13 prisons.
How we work
Professional CIAG advisers from Career Connect’s Achieve team work with offenders in custody from the start of their sentence, up to preparing for release, with the aim of helping prevent cycles of re-offending.
The advisers help those in custody to set education, skills, and work-related goals, develop employability skills, and search for and apply for jobs as they prepare to transition back into the community.
They also work with employers to help offenders increase their knowledge of the labour market and promote more sustained employment outcomes.
They work in close partnership with education and training providers and wider rehabilitation services to support sustainable, long-term outcomes and help reduce re-offending.
Prison Education Service (PES)
Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG) is part of the government’s Prisoner Education Service (PES) in England. The vision of PES is that everyone of working age and able to work should leave prison prepared for employment or further education and training.
Career Connect’s Achieve team previously successfully delivered the Prison Careers Information Advice and Guidance (CIAG) service in four North Midlands prisons, before being selected to deliver this new regional contract which now includes 13 prisons.
I had an interview with John. He was very welcoming to me, discussing all the information that was on offer for me, and understanding what goals I’m planning to achieve.
[Sarah] has given me an amazing personal learning plan. I can’t wait to be put on something that will help me throughout my sentence.
Role insights: Katie helps people take a new path in the East Midlands
Katie moved from prison admin to a face-to-face role, where she now helps male offenders prepare for release and access employment, education and training. Here, she gives us an insight into her role.
I love helping people to overcome barriers that might have held them back in the past. Seeing someone ready and motivated for release is really rewarding.
Contact our East Midlands Prison Careers Information, Advice and Guidance Services team
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