A second chance: employing ex-offenders

How many of us have made regrettable mistakes in the past which, in retrospect, could potentially have had serious consequences?

Unfortunately, for some people, moments of lapsed judgement can result in a life-changing prison sentence and a criminal record which can linger over them – and derail their career prospects – for many years.

Speaking candidly, I know that many employers, upon receiving a CV from a candidate with a previous criminal conviction, have rejected it straight away.

It wasn’t until I had a chance meeting with Jane Barkes, former CEO of The Footprints Project, that my own view of this changed. Jane opened my eyes to the difficulties faced by ex-offenders and how, by simply giving someone a chance, the cycle of re-offending can be broken.

Speaking candidly, I know that many employers, upon receiving a CV from a candidate with a previous criminal conviction, have rejected it straight away

Jane later introduced me to Ian Bickers and Duncan O’Leary from the Ministry of Justice, who run the New Futures Network. After listening to their experiences and discussing my concerns, I realised there is an opportunity for ECA Members, and the wider electrotechnical industry, to help and at the same time gain access to a pool of keen, skilled and dedicated personnel. 

Filling the skills gap

This year, UK unemployment reached its lowest level in more than 40 years. While generally a success story for the country, this figure does not consider the economy on a sector-by-sector basis. Furthermore, it creates real challenges for businesses who rely on finding people with the right skills, as the pool of available workers has reduced.

Data shows that the UK will need between 12,500 and 15,000 electricians in the next five years. This shortage is one faced by other sectors such as retail, recycling, homebuilding and hospitality. However, leading businesses in those sectors are already working with prisons as part of their response to tackle this – leaving our sector at a competitive disadvantage.

In fact, the electrotechnical industry should be no different – there are a number of workshops operating within prisons where individuals can train to become fully qualified electricians, ready to join the workforce upon release. Speaking to employers who have hired ex-offenders, I hear that some of these are among the best colleagues they have. 

With reportedly 11 million people (one in six) in the UK holding some form of criminal record, businesses are already likely to have employed people who have made mistakes in their past - so it is not such a big leap to consciously look to prisons for people ready to train and employ.

Unlocking talent

Prisons are increasingly geared up to work with employers. Prison governors have budgets that can be used to commission the training that employers are looking for, whether or not that is linked to a traditional qualification. Meanwhile, prison staff can help to sift candidates and produce shortlists for employers to interview, thereby minimising bureaucracy, and helping to ensure the best people are put forward for opportunities.

The Ministry of Justice set up the New Futures Network to guide employers through working with prisons. Their role is to understand the needs of companies large and small and make sure selection is as simple and easy as possible.

There are a number of workshops operating within prisons where individuals can train to become fully qualified electricians, ready to join the workforce upon release

In its education and employment strategy, published in May 2018, the MoJ outlined its plans for reducing re-offending, which costs the country around £15bn a year. Currently, only 17 per cent of ex-offenders manage to get a job on release, and many of these are part-time or very low-wage roles.

It’s entirely understandable that taking the leap of hiring, or even considering, an ex-offender may be a challenge for some.  While there are clearly a number of issues to take into account, experience shows these issues can be addressed successfully. I encourage you to contact bodies like New Futures, and if you are reading a CV from an ex-offender… take a moment to consider whether one of your most grateful and loyal future employees may be waiting in the wings.

To learn more about the New Futures Network, visit https://offenderemployment.campaign.gov.uk/