Employing Ex-Offenders to Address the Skills Gaps in Construction

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Thursday, 14 March, 2019 - 09:00 to 13:00

Employing Ex-Offenders to Address the Skills Gaps in Construction

Organiser

CITB (Coventry & Warwickshire)

Do you struggle to fill your vacancies or achieve S106 outcomes?

  • Facing a relatively low unemployment rate, and a tightening labour market, many employers in the construction industry are struggling to find people with the right talent, skills, abilities and mindset to fill their vacancies. Some also struggle to recruit and retain talent from excluded groups when accomplishing their S106 outcomes.
  • Over 11 million people in the UK (around 20% of the workforce) hold a criminal record. Many of these individuals may have committed relatively minor offences, come from disadvantaged backgrounds and have a wide-range of skills and abilities – yet they face immense barriers to working in construction.
  • Many employers also struggle to understand their legal rights and responsibilities when considering applicants from this vast potential talent pool. Some employers worry about a perceived impact on insurance, securing certain contracts or even reputational risks. Now, more than ever, employers need specialist support to navigate this complex area.
  • The Mind the Gap (MTG) Project is a three-year initiative commissioned by the CITB. A consortium of partners, led by Lendlease, aims to reduce skills gaps and improve S106 outcomes by providing construction industry employers with the knowledge, skills, training and support they need to recruit serving prisoners, offenders on licence and other people with criminal records who are motivated to work.
  • Nacro, one of the MTG partners, and a leading social justice charity is delivering a free half-day safer recruitment training session for HR professionals and others responsible for recruitment and retention decisions, to equip them with the knowledge and practical resources needed to confidently recruit ex-offenders, ensure their processes comply with recent changes to legislation and manage and mitigate any potential risks involved.

Who is it for?

  • HR professionals with responsibility for recruitment decisions, policy developments and workforce planning. It will also be relevant to in-house employment lawyers; as well as those with responsibility for safeguarding, staff retention and equality and diversity matters.

Benefits
By the end of this session you will:

  • Understand how to recruit confidently and effectively from a talent pool of 11 million people
  • Be able to improve the diversity of your workforce
  • Understand how to minimise any potential or perceived risks that might be involved
  • Learn how to avoid unnecessary failed recruitment costs

Learning objectives

  • Understand and apply the relevant legislation that impacts upon recruitment and retention of people with criminal records (e.g. ROA 1974, DPA 1998/ GDPR 2018)
  • Learn how to deal effectively with disclosure of criminal records
  • Gather the relevant information in order to inform the risk assessment process.
  • Understand how to interpret criminal record information in order to inform risk assessment processes
  • Understand how to risk assess applicants/employees with criminal records in the context of safe recruitment and reputational business risks.

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Made Smarter WM

Made Smarter is a national movement to drive growth amongst UK makers and advance the UK economy. Backed by world renowned businesses and the UK government, it will improve the development and adoption of emerging technologies. Making a real, everyday difference to people from the boardroom to the factory floor.

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Client testimonials

Without the Growth Hubs help and assistance, we would never have been able to increase our sales & output and also grow our local business. With this help in purchasing new equipment we have expanded our operations and gained a new and increased customer base.

Nuneaton Roof Truss,

Over the past few years, Armstrongs has built up a fantastic relationship with Gary Thyeson from the Growth Hub. His advice on grants and funding has been really valuable to both Armstrongs and some of our clients. His knowledge of local business support has been helpful in signposting us to relevant support agencies as required. We look forward to working with Laura Delahunty moving forwards.

Armstrongs Accountancy LTD,

In the short time since first engaging with the Warwickshire Growth Hub we feel that Laura has understood our vision and has been so very supportive in linking us to the specialist teams who are now supporting us with training, finance and recruitment. A great service that every growing organisation should connect with

MES Systems Limited,

I have had an excellent experience working with Laura from the Growth Hub, from day one, she was taking detailed attention to my concerns and ideas. She was able to put me in contact with different organisations and people to find out answers to my questions and help me to solve some inquiries I was having. I feel this support definitely had a positive impact in my plans. 

 

PALACIOS LTD,

It’s been a fantastic inaugural eight months for the TalentTech Recruitment team and, although the reality of setting up and running a company can be a somewhat daunting experience, we have been extremely grateful for the superb help, advice and guidance given to us along our journey by Gavin Barnett and the team at CW Growth Hub. Gavin’s introductions to both Warwick & Coventry Universities and his wider business network have been absolutely invaluable.

TalentTech Recruitment LTD,

For many individuals out there, it is very hard to figure out ways and know which direction to go when it comes to setting up a business. The challenges of taking your idea and bringing it to life and not knowing where to go and who to speak to for advice. it can get very frustrating..

King of Saffron LTD,

This grant [which we received with the help of the Growth Hub and Coventry City Council] will really help us get on track for business growth and succeed with our vision. Personally, I would also like to thank the team for supporting me through the grant application process. You have been very approachable and attentive throughout.

Exeter Analytical (UK) Limited,

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Burbidge & Son Ltd,

Over the years since the Growth Hub was set up we have habitually gone to our Account Manager as a one-stop shop for all business-related information.  It has been a really convenient way of finding suppliers, advisors and, on one occasion, we even asked for assistance with finding customers.  We are invited to a wide range of business events including business development workshops, Brexit roundtable discussions, seminars on various topics and have also been asked to speak at some events.  When we have needed additional information, for example, finding finance sources or help with selecti

Marchantcain Design Limited,

Thanks to CW Growth hub getting us access to grant funding we have been able to invest in the latest computer monitoring system, which will enable us to compete with the national companies within our industry.

Comrie Leisure Limited,

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