For the first time in Armenia, a vocational training center has been opened for probation beneficiaries

In collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and the Council of Europe, with the efforts of the Probation Service, the “Center for the Implementation of Legal Education and Rehabilitation Programs” SNCO, an unprecedented "Vocational Training Center" has been opened for probation beneficiaries in the Ararat Region.

Acting Minister of Justice Mr. Grigor Minasyan, Deputy Minister Ms. Arpine Sargsyan, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan Ms. Martina Schmidt, Head of Probation Service Mr. Gevorg Simonyan, Director of the “Center for the Implementation of Legal Education and Rehabilitation Programs” SNCO Mr. Dzonik Margaryan and other high-ranking officials were present at the opening ceremony.

Grigor Minasyan emphasized the importance of the center in question, as it will enable probation beneficiaries to reintegrate into society, acquire a new profession and find jobs.

“This is a pilot program. Our aim is to have such centers in other regions as well. As a result of preliminary conversations with probation beneficiaries, four professions that are in demand in the labor market today have been selected”.

Grigor Minasyan thanked the head of the Council of Europe office in Armenia, Martina Schmidt, for her great support to this initiative.

During the tour, the head of the probation service, Gevorg Simonyan, presented the new center, the acquired new equipment, through which probation beneficiaries will have the opportunity to learn new professions.

“30 beneficiaries will be able to be trained in this center, which will then start to apply their acquired knowledge in practice”.

Qualified specialists will conduct courses on "Basics of furniture making", "Basics of sewing", "Cosmetology skills" and "Hairdressing skills" in auditoria equipped with professional tools and equipment provided by the Council of Europe "Support the scaling-up of the probation service in Armenia" program.

The Council of Europe supports the Probation Service of Armenia within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2019-2022.

In accordance with the RA Law "On Probation", the Probation Service develops and implements educational and vocational programs, as well as undertakes various measures for the resocialization of probation beneficiaries, thus promoting employment.

The opening of the vocational center is part of Armenia's new policy of transition from punitive policies to restorative justice in the field of criminal justice, in which the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society are seen as mandatory components.