In a new initiative to address the industry’s skills gap, national construction and engineering firm North Midland Construction (NM Group) has launched a training programme for ex-offenders.
Providing the skills and opportunities needed for people to turn their lives around, NM Group has helped develop a training academy and CV writing workshop in partnership with HMP Ranby, a category ‘C’ prison in Nottinghamshire and Milton Keynes college.
Latest figures from the Ministry of Justice reveal that just 17% of offenders are in full-time employment one year after their release, whilst £15 billion is spent annually on associated reoffending costs.
Karen Morris, HR director at NM Group, said: “The initiative is offering training and employment opportunities for skills that are very much needed by the construction industry. We believe we can make a real difference, not just to the lives of former offenders, but also our industry, supply chain and the employment economy.”
Following a team-building day with NM Group, including a dragon’s den-style interview session, candidates are selected for the training programme based on their behaviour, values and attitude and not whether they have previous construction experience.
They then embark on a 12 week, NVQ Civil Engineering Level 1 course. The health and safety manager at NM Group holds a workshop on behavioural safety and Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards are also attained. After completing the programme, successful candidates are offered a job interview with NM Group, which can lead to a full-time position with the company upon their release.
Karen Morris added: “We have a learning culture at NM Group, with training and personal development a theme throughout our business. It is great to see the enthusiasm of the those taking part in this programme. Some have never had a job, while others are building on existing construction skills. We have seen a real change in individuals, with confidence and skillsets growing throughout the duration of the course.”
