Scottish businesses are increasingly turning to ex-offenders to fill growing skills gaps.
A new survey from Sodexo, which runs HMP Addiewell in West Lothian, showed that 54% of Scottish businesses are struggling to fill in excess of 10 job vacancies in their organisation - higher than the UK average of 43%.
More than half (58%) anticipate hiring ex-offenders in the year ahead, although 64% of those asked in Scotland agreed that ex-offenders could help fill talent shortages in industries such as hospitality.
A quarter of Scottish business leaders suggest there should be an initiative providing a target for hiring ex-offenders.
Just 13% of Scotland’s businesses - less than half of the UK average of 30% - in the private sector do not currently employ any ex-offenders, while more than half say they expect to hire people with criminal records during 2023.
The food services and facilities management business - which runs six UK prisons on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and Scottish Prison Service - is launching a Starting Fresh campaign to help remove the perceived barriers associated with the employment of ex-offenders, which often hold back the reintegration of people into communities.
Sodexo commissioned research of 1,000 owners and senior leaders with hiring responsibilities across British businesses, finding nearly two thirds (61%) will be hiring ex-offenders in 2023, while 21% said they will not.
When asked about their greatest concerns, a quarter said they were worried employees would re-offend, and the same proportion agreed they feared for the safety of the rest of their workforce. Almost as many said that they wouldn’t trust them to behave appropriately at work.
More positively, as the UK grapples with a talent shortage, many businesses this year said they are investing in training for their HR teams to ensure ex-offenders are supported in the company (40%).
Almost half (46%) said that supporting their wider community was important during this time, and one of the reasons why they’d be hiring people with criminal records.
The research found a cross sample of industry leaders believed ex-offenders could help to fill shortages in specific areas such as food pickers and delivery drivers in farming (62%) and talent shortages in hospitality (57%).
When respondents were asked what might encourage them to hire ex-offenders, 22% suggested there should be a government initiative which incentivises businesses. A fifth suggested an initiative giving businesses a target for hiring ex-offenders, while the same amount said a need to fill crucial skills gaps would force them to look at individuals with criminal records.
According to the UK Government, though the proportion of prison-leavers who were employed at six months from their release rose by almost two thirds between April 2021 and March 2022, but still to only 23%.
Sodexo is itself committed to filling 5% of appropriate job opportunities with ex-offenders.
Statistically, ex-offenders who get a job are less likely to re-offend, while 81% of consumers believe businesses employing ex-offenders are making a positive contribution to society.
Tony Simpson, justice operations director at Sodexo UK & Ireland, said: “While not all ex-offenders are prison-leavers, an important aspect of this campaign is to help employers understand the quality of learning which takes place in prison.
“Prisoners at the sites we manage are prepared to be job-ready for the opportunities in the outside world, whether that be in IT support, cleaning, catering, hospitality or hairdressing and beauty.
“It can be a win-win situation because there is a huge skills shortage in many UK sectors, and we believe ex-offenders could absolutely help to plug some of these gaps, while providing a more stable and secure income, and a better future, for the individual.”
Separately, Veterans Scotland has announced a new partnership with the Scottish Government aimed at connecting businesses with the diverse talent pool of ex-military personnel based in Scotland.
Launching on 15 March at Hampden Park, private sector employers from across Scotland are invited to attend the inaugural Recruit Veterans Conference.
With an estimated 220,000 veterans living in Scotland and an additional 2,000 new veterans choosing to return or remain in Scotland every year, the organisation stated there is a rich potential employee pool can sometimes be overlooked.
But there are challenges around a lack of understanding of transferable skills, both by potential employees, but also the ex-service personnel themselves. Returning veterans often also choose to live in more rural locations, closer to friends and family, which may be perceived as limiting opportunities.
However, the Recruit Veterans Conference aims to address some of these challenges and common misconceptions, with the event focused on helping business to access the skills veterans bring to the job market. Delegates will hear from a range of stakeholders, charities, businesses and veterans themselves.
The Recruit Veterans Conference will also launch a new online resource to support organisations of all sizes, by providing insight and information as to the benefits of recruiting ex-service personnel, as well as providing tools to assist with a hiring process.
Heather McVeigh, chief executive of the Officers Association Scotland, said: “Veterans can bring a whole range of transferable skills, added value and fresh perspectives to businesses who recruit them.
“The Recruit Veterans Conference will be the ideal starting point for curious employers and SMEs to genuinely consider the difference these can-do people can bring to their business.”
Major General Colin Boag, chair of Veterans Scotland, added: “Fulfilling and rewarding employment is a major component of a successful transition from military to civilian life.
“This conference and new online resource are ideal platforms to showcase the range and standard of skills possessed by veterans.
“It not only assists businesses in gaining a greater understanding of what ex-service personnel are capable of, it also sends a clear message to veterans that employers are actively seeking applications from them.”
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