Submitted by daniel on Wed, 14/10/2026 - 08:00 Picture Image Description Platinum Rail Services will run practical scaffolding courses at HMP Holme House and Low Newton from November, under a Future Skills Programme deal. ADVERTISEMENT The Ministry of Justice has awarded a £56,000 contract for practical scaffolding training at two prisons in north-east England, with the courses required to link prisoners to employers offering paid vacancies. Platinum Rail Services Limited secured the work on 12 October, according to an award notice published on Contracts Finder the following day. The contract covers HMP Holme House and Low Newton and runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027. Holme House is a men’s prison in Stockton-on-Tees. Low Newton, in Brasside near Durham, holds women aged 18 and over. The work is a call-off contract under the Future Skills Programme. The supplier must develop practical scaffolding courses aimed at helping prisoners secure employment with a scaffolding company after release. Links to employers with job openings are an explicit requirement. The notice states: “Paid job vacancies must be available throughout the duration of the course.” The award was made through a dynamic purchasing system. The published notice does not set out learner numbers, course qualifications or the names of employer partners. The contract follows another recent prison scaffolding training award. In September, Scaffmag reported that Fulcrum Scaffold Safety and Training had secured a separate contract at HMP Brinsford, also running until the end of March 2027. Alex Mercer Alex Mercer covers construction, infrastructure and scaffolding projects for ScaffMag, focusing on the developments driving demand and the access solutions behind them. Most popular ↑ Two taken to hospital after Streatham scaffolding collapse Two people were rescued before firefighters arrived after scaffolding collapsed on Streatham High Road on 25 October. Both were taken to hospital. Government announces paternity pay for self-employed dads Self-employed fathers and partners are to receive two weeks of support under government plans, with payments currently worth up to £194 a week. Two workers hospitalised after partial collapse at Banbury construction site Two workers were taken to hospital after a partial collapse at a Banbury construction site on 21 October. HSE says it is making enquiries, according to Construction Enquirer. PHD Access announces €37.7m investment for European expansion PHD Access has announced a €37.7m investment from MML Ireland and Goodbody to support European growth and acquisitions, subject to regulatory approval. Belfast scaffolding firm fined after driver killed by falling board HSENI found inadequate exclusion zone controls after Samuel Magill was struck by a falling metal scaffold board during dismantling work in Belfast. Latest news UK Budget 2026: what it means for scaffolding firms Fuel duty relief, higher minimum wages and apprenticeship measures feature in Budget 2026, as NASC warns investment promises must translate into construction work. - Advertisement - More from UK Budget 2026: what it means for scaffolding firms Fuel duty relief, higher minimum wages and apprenticeship measures feature in Budget 2026, as NASC warns investment promises must translate into construction work. UK MPs press Government over Sizewell C’s UK supply-chain pledge MPs want the Government to explain how Sizewell C will meet its 70% UK construction spending target, alongside six-monthly progress reports. UK Luton plans £11m scaffolding framework Luton Council is preparing an estimated £11.04m scaffolding framework and will hold a supplier briefing next week ahead of a planned December tender. UK Government announces paternity pay for self-employed dads Self-employed fathers and partners are to receive two weeks of support under government plans, with payments currently worth up to £194 a week. Web Link MoJ awards £56,000 prison scaffolding training contract - Scaffmag Scaffmag