Creating real jobs and targeted training programmes for ex-offenders within growth sectors of the economy, giving those leaving prison an opportunity to turn away from crime, and helping to reduce re-offending while also plugging skills gaps in industries such as construction and distribution.
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England/Wales release 90,000 prisoners every year. 60% re-offend within 2 years, costing the public £13bn pa. Having a job is the single most important determinant in reducing the probability of re-offending, yet 75% of prisoners are released to unemployment according to the recent Coates review of prison education. Meanwhile, many industries face significant skill gaps (e.g. the UK needs an extra 150,000 LGV drivers by 2020; one in 5 LGV drivers are over 60, only 1% are under 25).
Blue Sky has directly employed over 1,200 ex-offenders since 2005, creating entry-level jobs in industry sectors such as grounds maintenance and waste management. Building on our achievements to date, this project will support Blue Sky’s diversification and expansion into new industry sectors, creating a higher number and a wider range of jobs for ex-offenders, while also improving longer-term career and wage prospects through targeted skills training.