Opportunities for young offenders

The Guardian recently reported that providing young ex-offenders with employment opportunities leading to stable jobs reduces their chances of re-offending by a third to a half. The benefits of these schemes for individuals is far reaching, for their self-esteem and the communities in which they live.

The construction and engineering industry has been involved in initiatives for young offenders for a number of years. Companies recognised early on the potential within these young people and the untapped skills resource they provide.

Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions is one of 80 companies working alongside National Grid on its Young Offender Programme, established in 1999. The young people accepted onto the scheme are offered pre- and post-release mentoring.

The young people that pass a gas industry recognised course begin a job placement before they are released. This means they can return to a job they have already begun when they leave prison.

National Grid’s contractors, like Balfour Beatty, provide jobs for successful trainees when they are released, supporting their transition from prison life to that of the external world of work.

The programme has helped to reduce the re-offending rate to about 7% (from a national average of 70%) amongst the 18 to 21 year olds who participate. Over 1,000 young people have been placed into training and jobs through the initiative.

Schemes like this demonstrate the opportunities businesses can provide for members of the community who are at a disadvantage when seeking employment. The benefits to companies are new members of a skilled workforce, in an industry that is struggling to retain talent.