Colombia’s Ministry of Communication is trying to create job opportunities for people living behind bars.
The ministry starts a pilot program in different prisons across Colombia to teach female inmates computer skills.
Thirty one years old Lucia Reano has been in prison for the last five years. She never finished high school and has three children to support when she is released from prison.
Through the new pilot program named Teletrabajo, Lucia, who had never been near a computer, is learning how to use technology to find work.
“I hope to continue to learn in the program so I can prepare for my future job out of here. I want stability,” said Reano.
Together with Reano, another 14 women at Bogota’s District Prison are taking a three- month course to develop their teleworking skills. If they pass international standardized tests, they will receive a digital skills certificate at the end of the program.
The Colombian Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology along with the Ministry of Labor sponsored the program with Bogota’s Mayoral office. Officials say the biggest challenge for programs like this is that Colombian companies still do not believe in hiring over the internet.
Colombian Vice Minister Of Technology says despite the challenges, the pilot program for inmates still has a huge impact.
“For them to have new opportunities, dreams, ideas and to rebuild their self-esteem. Even if they don’t end up working in these online jobs, at least they might have opportunities with a computer,” said Maria Carolina Hoyos, Vice Minister of the Technology Ministry.
The first group of graduates this year are already planning their future online and some are even dreaming of creating jobs.
“It’s good. What I learn now can be used in the future. I can help my children to do something. Maybe I can reopen my company,” said Jenny Ladino, an inmate participating in the program.
Over the next year, the ministry hopes to have at least 100 inmates graduating from the online jobs course.