Negative stigma and a lack of proper training opportunities are blocking many people with criminal records from getting work in the construction industry, a report by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has revealed.
Perceived risk to a business and its reputation are among reasons given, according to the Institute, which is calling on the Government to break down barriers and provide more accessible training opportunities to improve individuals’ employability and ease the skills shortage in the construction industry.
Statistics show nearly 75% of people leaving prison are still without work six months after their release. CIOB says breaking down barriers would lower unemployment amongst people with criminal convictions. Meanwhile, the Government estimates the current cost of re-offending is approximately £18 billion per year.
Niamh Evans, Policy and Public Affairs Officer North at CIOB, said more people within the industry should consider an open-minded approach to hiring people looking for a fresh start, adding: “Construction companies across the UK are facing a labour shortage and there is an untapped market of potential candidates waiting to be unearthed.
“However, negative stigma and a lack of access to proper training for people in prison means there are many people missing out on a second chance at life.
“Companies can proactively show they are willing to consider applicants with a criminal record by making this known on their website and teaming up with organisations that support people with criminal convictions to find work.
“While there are some training opportunities available for people with criminal convictions, we would like to see improved access to give more candidates a chance to develop their skills ahead of a rewarding career within construction.”
CIOB’s research for the report, ‘Building Opportunity: Employing People with Criminal Convictions in Construction’, shows just 25 per cent of construction managers surveyed* would consider hiring a person with an unspent criminal conviction – despite the sector facing a significant labour crisis.
Thirty-two per cent of respondents said they would not consider hiring someone with an unspent criminal conviction while 43 per cent said they might.
More than 12million people in the UK currently have a criminal record with hundreds of thousands of convictions remaining unspent – so candidates must declare their convictions when applying for a job.
It is estimated 225,000 additional construction workers will be needed to meet demand by 2027, according to data from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
Demand for construction work is likely to increase in the years ahead with significant plans for the regeneration of the built environment in the UK, particularly with the Government’s flagship levelling up agenda and political focus on delivering a faster rate of housebuilding.
www.ciob.org/industry/research/criminal-convictions-employment
