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A national conference hosted by Solar Gates UK at their Kent head office, on 15th September to over 200 delegates has detailed how businesses have successfully adopted a more open approach to their recruitment and personnel cultures, to help give prison leavers a ‘second chance’ while benefitting their own business mission.
Industry leaders from all sectors, including highways, railways and construction gathered to learn how some companies including Solar Gates UK, Timpson and Cook, approach the recruitment challenges by working with prison leavers and other people in recovery.
The Southern Prison Employment Conference 2022 organised by Solar Gates UK in association with the Timpson Foundation, New Futures Network and HM Prison & Probation Service has enabled delegates to better understand how companies that work with the prison service help tackle employment challenges while supporting reforming prisoners.
Over the last five years, Solar Gates UK, the leading manufacturer and installer of solar barriers and gates for the highways, construction, rail, commercial and education sectors, has led the way with its own ‘Second Chances’ programme, meaning 35% of its staff are either from prison, addiction recovery or have problems with their mental wellbeing.
Delegates took part in a series of interactive workshops where they gained insight into how to integrate ex-offenders into their HR policy. They also got to hear from a selection of prison leavers with their life changing stories, to emphasise the need for organisations to give second chances.
James Timpson, CEO of Timpson opened the conference on live link and explained their story as a true equal opportunities employer with a simple and transparent recruitment model. They consider anyone and everyone for a role within the business, regardless of their background or history. This includes ex-offenders and other marginalised groups.
New Futures Network explained the facts and figures behind how employment helps reduce re-offending rates.
Neil Sampson, MD of Solar Gates UK, presented a session on how hiring prison leavers can be a part of your business culture.
They also heard from Annie Gale, Head of RAW Talent at Kent-based food company Cook. Its RAW Talent Programme (Ready And Working), supports people who may have spent time in prison or without secure housing.
Neil Sampson, MD of Solar Gates UK said: “It was an honour to host this conference and play a small part in highlighting how working with prison leavers and others enables more people to be given the second chance they deserve and how this can easily be incorporated into the culture and recruitment policies of any business. It’s a situation where both the employee and employer wins.”
Two follow up events have been set up by Timpson, Greggs and Cook aimed to give attendees very practical 'what to do next' experience and access to risk assessments, interview techniques and HR policies that will help organisations benefit from those who have been before them. Open to all, these are to be held on Tuesday 4th October 2022 (The Nest, Manchester) 9.30am to 4pm and Wednesday 30th November 2022 (5 Westfield Ave, London) 9.30am to 3pm.
Find Out More:
Download EAB Conference Slides
Hiring People With Convictions, a practical Workshop with Timpson, Greggs & Cook INVITE
Reach out to New Futures Network