This article appears for archival purposes. Any events, programs and/or initiatives mentioned may no longer be applicable.
Ken Wilk, Rio Salado College Faculty Chair for Applied Technology and Engineering (left) with Casey Werhanowicz, Program Director at ASPC‑Lewis (right)
Rio Salado College recently oversaw the successful awarding of 59 OSHA 10-Hour Construction Training certificates to students at both Arizona State Prison Complexes, Lewis and Perryville. The effort was made possible thanks to a grant awarded to the college from Lowe's Foundation and the dedication of staff and leadership.
"This training— designed to provide foundational knowledge on occupational safety and health hazards in the construction industry— is a critical step in equipping our students with the credentials needed for a safer, more successful reentry into the workforce," said Rio Salado College Faculty Chair for Applied Technology Ken Wilk.
The training was conducted over four instructional days at the Arizona correctional complexes with qualifying students. The original goal was designed to award 10 credentials these first sessions, but the commitment of staff and students led to a much higher completion rate.
"Looking ahead, I’m hopeful we can certify even more students next year through continued support," Wilk said.
These OSHA certifications not only prepare students for safer employment in the construction sector, but they also serve as foundational tools for successful re-entry into society, especially as many companies require or prefer applicants with OSHA credentials.
“We take pride in the partnership with Rio Salado College, which provides valuable opportunities for the incarcerated population,” said ADCRR Director Ryan Thornell. “OSHA credentials are just one of the many ways this collaboration is equipping inmates with education, new skills and recognized certifications that lead to jobs. Employability helps improve public safety. This initiative instills the training and confidence individuals need as they prepare to reintegrate into Arizona communities”
A Program Years in the Making
The initiative was three to four years in development, but once launched, students dove into the content. Over the course of the training, students engaged with safety fundamentals, hazard recognition, and construction best practices in alignment with OSHA’s industry standards. These foundational lessons are designed to empower students to protect themselves and others on future job sites. Students were awarded their certificates late this spring with staff and educators in attendance.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Impact
Last year, Rio Salado received $45,176.00 in grant funding to upgrade infrastructure and lab training space, deliver OSHA training to three instructors, and provide OSHA certifications for students at the college’s Incarcerated Reentry Program at the Arizona State Prison Complexes, Lewis and Perryville. In addition to the college’s certificate programs, Rio Salado partners with ADCRR to offer occupational training including, construction-electrical and plumbing.
A Broader Vision: Education as a Path to Reintegration
The OSHA training is only one aspect of a broader educational mission. Rio Salado College, in partnership with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR), offers incarcerated individuals access to accredited, print-based correspondence courses through its Incarcerated Reentry (IRE) program, as well as online education at Arizona State Prison Complex-Perryville through the Second Chance Pell Grant pilot, which will soon transition to the Prison Education Program. All courses are designed to meet the unique needs of incarcerated learners and ensure compliance with ADCRR and other correctional agency policies.