Barely a week goes by without a mention of the skills gap. Key industries in the UK, such as ICT, construction and engineering, are facing national crises in developing domestic talent. Even on a local level, small businesses are unable to hire staff fast enough to keep up with this growth opportunity.

With new approaches to prison education, institutions are becoming a source of talent that can be trained and equipped with the skills needed to boost national and local economies. This method has the added benefit of cutting reoffending and reducing the number of people returning to prison. It’s easy to see the value of this to society, and employers have an important role to play in its success.

I see every day how prisoners take on new skills

As an education manager in one of the UK’s largest prisons, I see every day how prisoners take on new skills. Offenders often grew up with a negative experience of education - or in many cases never received any - so, in a number of ways, we have an opportunity to help people develop skill sets ready for the workplace.

We offer both vocational pathways and more traditional education to prisoners, depending on their needs and abilities, but an important part of our skills agenda is working with employers.

Ultimately, the aim of the prison sector is to rehabilitate and break the cycle of reoffending. Education undoubtedly plays a key role in this, but it is not enough on its own. One of the most successful ways prisoners break this cycle is through a secure job. However, a job is often one of the most difficult things for a prisoner to find after they are released.

We understand that there is often a stigma associated with former prisoners, and that many business owners and managers will be wary of employing them. To make things run as smoothly as possible, we use dedicated employment brokers who work with prisoners and local employers to ensure the process is a success for all parties.

Hands-on approach

As an education provider within the prison sector, Novus is able to develop a curriculum to meet employer needs and tackle the skills gap. Engagement with employers is a central part of this, as it helps to tailor our programmes and deliver the skills they need. We encourage employers to take a hands-on role in this, as it can reduce the need for additional training once a new starter begins work.

Of course, this isn’t just about qualifications: it’s about people. And interpersonal skills are often valued most in the workplace. Ensuring prisoners are equipped with these soft skills, such as punctuality, teamwork and flexibility, is often more important to an employer, as it shows a willingness to take on information and develop as a professional.

Our initial successes have been encouraging, and even some of the more reticent employers have continued to engage with our programmes and take on more ex-prisoners. Slowly but surely we are building a network of advocates who help to spread the word and create further employment opportunities. The success is also a boost for current prisoners who can see a clear progression into potential employment. A job suddenly becomes an achievable goal rather than an unrealistic ambition, having a positive influence on their progress and rehabilitation.

‘A genuine second chance’

But those employers must not see this as simply fulfilling a social obligation - it also makes good business sense. Benefits include saving on recruitment and training. In addition ex-offenders are often incredibly loyal employees because of the opportunity that they have been given. Employers can make a genuine impact on the lives of prisoners and their families as well as the wider community. Former students regularly write to thank us. That many have gone on to secure stable jobs and reconcile with their families demonstrates the strength of our approach. Some have even started businesses of their own.

Clearly there is no quick fix to solving the skills gap, and it will take collaborative thinking from education and training providers, combined with government policy, to ensure we can build the workforce of the future. The prison sector has its own distinct role to play and, by working closely with local employers, our training programmes can ensure prisoners are given the skills needed in the local area, giving them what they need the most - a genuine second chance.

Amina Bodhania is education manager at HMP Manchester for prison education provider Novus