Why I’m helping build a workforce of ex-offenders

Coracle founder James Tweed on why SMEs should consider tackling the skills shortage using ex-prisoners.

The majority of business owners say they plan to hire ex-offenders this year. But this kind of initiative isn't only a solution for the skills shortage. It's also a way to improve our society as a whole.

Myself and my team at Coracle, a prison education business which won a King’s Award this year, work with prisoners every day. We understand the challenges but, more than that, we know how much potential there is for prisoners to build skills, as well as hope for the future, often for the first time in their lives.