Helping People with a Criminal Record into Employment
Having a stable job can be a critical part of a person’s journey back into society following inprisonment. Employment provides independence, status, earning power, a structured routine, social contact and a sense of purpose and direction.
Many people who have been in prison find it hard to find work because, as well as having a criminal record, they lack workplace skills and experience.
Groundwork’s Employment Specialists develop practical and soft skills, within a prison setting and outside of it, supporting people into careers such as construction and landscaping.
What support do we provide?
- Practical construction skills delivered in a workshop environment
- Motivational support from our team, instilling the right attitudes towards employment and your peers
- Development of skills to secure and succeed in work in the construction sector
- Carbon Literacy Certificate for the Construction Sector
- L1 & L2 Health & Safety in the Construction Environment
- CSCS test training and practise linked to securing 5 year CSCS card
- Introduction to property retrofit and modern construction methods
- Hearing from different guest speakers from the construction industry
- Individually tailored 121 support, both prior to and following release from custody, aimed at supporting them to secure and sustain employment with one of the employers in our network.
For more information contact Jade Crowe, Adult Employment & Skills Manager
Do you work with people who have been in prison?
We believe in the power of collective action and work in partnership with a range of employment teams from the public and private sector to source the support individuals need. We send a monthly email to our partners outlining the free opportunities available at Groundwork, making it easy to refer into our provision.
Examples of our work
After the pandemic hit, Jackson made some bad decisions and ended up serving 9 months in prison. During that time he enrolled on a 6 week construction course so he could get back on track.
After spending some time in prison, Matty was keen to turn his life around so that he could become a role model for his young daughter. He wanted to find fulfilling work and develop a routine that would keep him out of prison and allow him to earn his own money.
Green Start is a learning and employability programme run which aims to help offenders thrive in the evolving green skills and construction job market. Read more about our progress during our first year working HMP Forest Bank.