The UK job market is moving faster than ever, which can make it seem daunting. However, it’s moving fast for everyone which might just work in your favour.

Every year the public increases their awareness around the poverty cycle. As such, people recognise that the best way to prevent re-offending from the formerly incarcerated is to support you finding stable work.

This has led to a number of charities and non-government organisations to establish services that support you getting back into work. Part of this are projects such as Ban the Box or sites like this one which are doing a lot to prevent discrimination from employers.

Increasing Your Chances of Getting Back Into Work as an Ex-Offender

Training

Research predicts that over 90% of the UK workforce will have to retrain to some extent by 2030. This demonstrates that even if your skills are underdeveloped you have the chance of establishing yourself in

In turn, if you feel ready to tackle a new line of work, the possibilities are endless.

Every year, new organisations create opportunities to assist ex-offenders in finding the training they need to reach their future potential. Many are now even situated within prisons to establish a direct pathway into work upon release.

Here is a short list of training solutions that might be right for you:

  • Prisoner Education Solutions offer a range of training courses, such as in Construction, Fitness Training or Barbering. These courses provide qualifications up to Level 3, which is the equivalent to A Levels.
  • If a role within the construction industry sounds like something you would excel in, Bounce Back is a training provider who specialises in all the different skills associated with construction. This includes decorating, scaffolding and more.
  • If you are a woman and an ex-offender, Working Chance is the leading organisation helping to retrain and guide your steps into the working world. With 58% of women reoffending within a year of release, those who reach out to Working Chance reduce those chances to less than 4%.

Other Career Support

When looking for work, having the right approach can make you stand out from the crowd. Due to the high level of applicants, it is often the little things that push you over the line.

For anyone that has been out of work for a while, it can be difficult to explain. We have created a comprehensive guide of job application tips for the formerly incarcerated, to make sure you get it right the first time.

Although you will likely be able to figure out those first steps yourself, the job market is difficult to navigate, so we have listed a range of support and resources for ex-offenders. Including anything from career advice, to mental health treatment, to financial support, we have outlined where and how to access what you need.

Take a look at our job board and explore jobs for ex-offenders and jobs for ex-offenders in London.