Why you should be hiring ex-offenders and recovering addicts

There is a rising trend among forward-thinking employers to look beyond cheap bulk labour and invest in less obvious groups, with excellent results. With the UK skills gap set to get worse once the UK exits the EU, these results are a welcomed wind of change, amid a sea of gloomy statistics.

Carwyn Gravell of the Forward Trust, an organisation that specialises in placing ex-offenders and people in recovery from addiction into employment, explains there is a compelling business case for companies to consider employing such staff. Having experienced prejudice, these potential employees are particularly keen to focus their energies; they show resilience and have overcome challenging experiences. By working through and overcoming some tough hurdles, they show qualities to be valued in the workplace.

Employers should not be put off by informal workplace experience and lack of qualifications. Many prisoners will have had ‘jobs’ in the informal economy requiring highly-transferable selling and organisational skills, or will be working in prison industries (catering, cleaning, manufacturing) and who can demonstrate a track record and work ethic. Some will have much-sought after skills such as driving.

There is often a shared experience in the workplace, with colleagues who know friends or family, or have themselves overcome addiction. This can lead to a cohesive and inclusive workplace.

There are also certain valuable skills and training that are given to ex-offenders - coding for example a is popular skill for prisoners to learn which means there are more skilled and qualified candidates entering the job market.

Carwyn refers to Forward’s hundreds of success stories (such as an ex prisoner who completed one of Forward’s drug rehabilitation programmes before progressing to training and employment as a bus driver in London).

Of course certain industries are better suited than others to this type of candidate but, in general the entrepreneurial spirit, resilience and desire to give back to society can be a tangible driver and motivation to many seeking work. Smart companies will consider how to harness such qualities.

One perceived obstacle to employers may be risk management and the vetting and screening process - Carwyn and Asi from The Forward Trust will be equipping employers with everything they need to know about the process at this year's Annual Employee Vetting and Screening Conference in London on 14th November 2018. Click here for more information.

The Forward Trust are currently able to provide potential employers in London, the Southeast and Hull, but employers are encouraged to contact Asi (asi.panditharatna@forwardtrust.org.uk) for an initial chat about their needs.