Startups: More employers looking to hire ex-offenders as worker shortage persists

There has already been some positive movement in terms of policy making. In October 2022, the Ministry of Justice and Department for Education lifted a ban on prisoners undertaking apprenticeships. Since then major brands such as Greene King, Kier and Timpson have opened their apprenticeship programmes to ex-offenders. James Tweed, CEO of Cambridge-based Coracle. Coracle is one of the very few companies in the UK authorised by the Ministry of Justice to provide prison inmates with internet-free computers, on which they can complete modules for their apprenticeships. “Taking on prisoners as apprentices is a golden opportunity to transform lives, help society and increase skills in the workplace,” says Tweed. “This gives them something practical to work towards, which is a huge part of ensuring they can realise better life outcomes.” Read the full feature here.