Official Launch of Vocational Qualification at Světlá nad Sázavou Prison

On Monday, October 13, 2025, we will launch the first run of the vocational qualification course Assistant Cook – Fast Food Preparation (code ZŠ PK 65-003-E) at Světlá nad Sázavou Prison, as part of the project VOL Kvalifikaci a práci (“VOL for Qualification and Work”). The course will be delivered by certified instructors from the Business Academy, College of Healthcare and Nursing, Secondary School of Services and State Language School with the right to conduct state language exams in Jihlava.

The launch will include a formal ceremony attended by distinguished guests:

• Brig. Gen. Mgr. Monika Myšičková, Director of Světlá nad Sázavou Prison

• Ing. Martin Kukla, Governor of the Vysočina Region

• Mgr. Libor Fasora, Director of the aforementioned Jihlava school

The programme begins at 3:00 p.m. with a welcome and refreshments, followed by ceremonial speeches and a guided tour of the prison. The incarcerated women participating in the course will then proceed to their introductory briefing.

About the Course

This 80-hour vocational qualification takes place directly within the prison. The theoretical part is led by experienced lecturers from the Jihlava school, which successfully delivered a similar course seven years ago. The practical component is carried out in the prison kitchen under the supervision of the prison’s kitchen staff.

The course concludes with an official qualification exam and offers the participants a chance to acquire practical skills in gastronomy, while also strengthening their work habits, self-confidence, and employability after release.

“We are pleased to have renewed our cooperation with the Jihlava school and, after eight years, once again offer low-skilled women a qualification that can ease their integration into the labour market,” said Ing. Zuzana Bejó, Director of Project Activities at VOLONTÉ Czech, o.p.s.

Support That Makes Sense

This course is part of the two-year project VOL Kvalifikaci a práci (Project No. CZ.03.01.01/00/23_056/0004021), which offers comprehensive support to people at risk of social exclusion — from motivation and legal/debt counselling to specialised training, mentoring, and assistance with employment and housing.

The final exam and employer meeting will take place on December 5, 2025. We plan to continue with further vocational qualifications in 2026.

The project is implemented with the support of the Employment Plus Operational Programme and is co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus.