Did you know there are over 10.5 million people with a criminal record on the Police National Computer database, but only 8% of people that receive a conviction end up going to prison? Yet there are over 1.2 million individuals that receive a conviction every single year. However people with convictions are the least likely ‘disadvantaged group’ to be employed – only 12% of employers have knowingly employed one in the last three years. This presents a significant challenge to anyone supporting people who have a criminal conviction.
This training course will give you both the business and social benefits of employing people with convictions.
Working with ex-offenders has a whole range of benefits, including:
- Resolving skills shortages
- Reducing recruitment costs
- Increasing staff retention
- Reducing staff absence
- Making a difference
The benefits to business to consider employing ex-offenders are clear:
- 3 out of 4 people would be comfortable buying from a business that employs ex-offenders
- Ex-offenders who get a job after prison are up to 9 percentage points less likely to reoffend
- Offenders have relevant work experience; more than 11,000 serving prisoners are employed today, by over 300 businesses or government departments
- Two thirds of companies that employ ex-offenders would recommend others do the same
- 79% of people think that businesses employing ex-offenders are making a positive contribution to society
- 92% of inclusive employers say it’s enhanced their reputation – often helping them win new contracts
Yet despite this, only 17% of ex-offenders manage to get a job within a year of release. Over half of employers struggle to fill vacancies due to skills shortages, according to The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Thinking outside the box about recruitment and exploring new talent pools can help overcome such challenges.
