VOLONTÉ Expands Vocational Training: Pizza Chef Course in Všehrdy and Barber Course in Jiřice

After the successful pilot barber course at Všehrdy Prison, VOLONTÉ CZECH, o.p.s. continues to expand its practical vocational training programmes for people serving prison sentences. In April 2026, we launched a new course — this time focused on training pizza chefs — while simultaneously bringing the proven barber course model to another facility: Jiřice Prison.

Both courses were developed in collaboration with Jonáš Motyčka and his project Správný start (Right Start), which has long been dedicated to preparing young offenders for life after release. Jonáš was instrumental in establishing the barber course at Všehrdy, and his experience and connections form the foundation on which both new courses were built.

Both courses are part of the VOL Comprehensive Employment Programme project (reg. no.: CZ.03.01.01/00/24_078/0005026), funded by the European Social Fund and the state budget of the Czech Republic under the Employment Plus Operational Programme.

Pizza Chef Course at Všehrdy Prison

On 21 April 2026, a pizza chef training course was officially launched at Všehrdy Prison. Five participants will complete the programme between 21 April and 26 May 2026.

The course is led by instructor Tomáš "Fenix" Franek — a talented chef, personal cook and founder of the gastronomic music project Food Addictors, which blends a passion for food with music and creative culinary presentation. Tomáš also runs catering events and his work demonstrates that cooking can be far more than just a profession. He passes on not only theoretical and practical skills, but also professional grounding and a real path to employment — graduates can establish direct contact with the instructor and apply for a training position at a pizzeria upon their release.

The course goes beyond mastering recipes and working with dough — it also covers the history of pizza-making, food hygiene, safe food handling practices and workplace safety. It is an opportunity to gain not only craft skills with real market value, but also the foundations of professional confidence and work habits that will serve participants well beyond prison walls.

For the course, we have acquired a pizza oven, which will remain at Všehrdy Prison for continued use. Plans are in place for it to be relocated to another facility in the future, where follow-up courses could continue.

Barber Course Continues — Now at Jiřice Prison

Jiřice Prison builds on the experience and results of the barber course at Všehrdy. Training begins on 4 May 2026 and runs until 22 June 2026, with six participants enrolled.

As with Všehrdy, successful graduates will receive a certificate, professional skills and the opportunity to connect with the instructor for employment support after release. At Jiřice Prison, selected graduates will also be able to apply their new skills directly — by providing barbering services to fellow inmates within the facility.

For this purpose, we have purchased clippers and barbering equipment, which will remain at the prison for ongoing use.

Why a Trade?

The barber course at Všehrdy showed what works: a trade that is appealing, achievable within a prison environment and genuinely employable after release. The pizza chef course follows the same logic. It is not just about technical knowledge — it is about discipline, perseverance and the belief that starting over is possible.

VOLONTÉ believes that change begins with one concrete step. Vocationally focused courses in real-demand trades are one of those steps — and they can have a lasting impact.

For more on how the barber course at Všehrdy came to be and what it means to its participants, read the interview with Jonáš Motyčka and Jakub Pokorný.

The courses are funded under the "VOL Comprehensive Employment Programme" project, reg. no. CZ.03.01.01/00/24_078/0005026, supported by the Employment Plus Operational Programme, co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus.