The El Paso County Sheriff's Office announced a new vocational training initiative aimed at helping people leaving jail find work in the construction and transportation industries. The program offers incarcerated individuals a pathway to receive an industry-recognized construction flagging certification.

Participants gain skills in traffic control, workplace safety, and construction flagging operations through hands-on training. Upon completing the course, incarcerated individuals earn a Colorado Department of Transportation flagger certification, which qualifies them for employment in construction and transportation-related fields.

The sheriff's office said employment is a key factor in reducing barriers to reentry, promoting financial independence, and decreasing the likelihood of future involvement with the criminal justice system. The certification is recognized across the industry, giving graduates a portable credential they can present to employers statewide.

The first five graduates of the program successfully earned their certificates. The sheriff's office said it continues to invest in programs that promote rehabilitation and public safety.

The sheriff's office has not yet announced enrollment capacity, eligibility requirements, or a timeline for future cohorts, details that remain outstanding as the program moves past its inaugural class.