FEATURE
“It felt good with me being able to help other people out within the workshop, mentoring them to a safe standard and how to do things correctly and safely. The scheme has given me a job opportunity as a trainee so far, with the chance to progress and further my skill set.”
The impact of this is clear when we look at the stories of ex- offenders who have successfully transitioned into employment outside of prison. As one former prisoner reflects: “I felt anxious nearing the end of my sentence, when one of the resettlement reps came to see me. I was taken aback at the kind of support that was available for me. I have now been working full time since release and am on the verge of starting my own business. I am settling back into life and am excited about making plans for my future.”
of a wider training-based curriculum focused on upskilling the prison population, offering a wide spectrum of FM services and skills to accommodate a variety of talents and interests.
When prisoners first arrive at HMP Fosse Way, our Information and Advice Guidance (IAG) team meet with them to conduct interviews and background assessments. We’re then able to guide individuals towards suitable workshops by identifying where existing skills are present, or where interest is expressed in trying something new.
Whether it’s plumbing works or woodworking, the training that prisoners undertake not only helps maintain the essential needs of the prison itself, but are purposefully designed to meet identified skills gaps in the labour market so that prisoners can continue into paid work upon release. For example, a recent partnership with the National Association of Air-Duct Cleaners UK (NAADUK) resulted in the creation of a specific training programme to educate, train and upskill prisoners in this particular element of FM, after figures revealed there were over 1,500 vacancies across the country.
Using the resources available, we’re able to give prisoners a well-rounded training experience that ultimately equips them for a bright future within their chosen sector. One prisoner who was a part of the employment scheme and had previously worked in a construction environment, said of their experience: “It has been positive as I feel like I’ve got lots of opportunities to progress and get the most out of a career.”
FM training is often an attractive proposition for prisoners, encouraging self-sufficiency and independence that become invaluable qualities for them at the point of release. As another former prisoner emphasises, “it’s great for my aspirations as [the employer partner business] want to see you do well and progress as much as you can, paying for all of your tickets and training - you feel valued and respected.”
“For my aspirations I would like to get as many skills and qualifications behind me to be multi-skilled in life.”
Our partnerships with the NAADUK and other FM service providers hold real potential to attract much-needed talent into the FM industry, while supporting employment opportunities for ex-offenders. We’ve seen just how positive schemes such as ours can really be for prisoners and employers alike, and our employer partners continually feed back to us about the level of commitment that ex-offender employees show.
We know that this approach, if replicated across the UK, can make a major impact and support a reduction in reoffending. We encourage employers in the FM space to consider partnerships with institutions like ours and make ex-offender employment part of a strategy to bring talented and dedicated employees into the industry.
www.serco.com/uk/sector-expertise/justice
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Tomorrow’s FM Yearbook 2025/26
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