Employment opportunities in construction for two former learners

At Novus, we provide education and training programmes so that learners can gain the skills and qualifications needed to find employment upon release and be successfully rehabilitated.  

Our technical and vocational training programmes provide learners with industry-relevant training and work experience for their chosen career path, meaning that they can find employment or further training upon release.   

Two former learners from HMP Hewell and HMP Stoke Heath were successful in finding employment upon release thanks to the support they received from the Novus Works team as well as completing vocational courses in construction whilst in prison.  

Employment opportunities in construction

A former learner at HMP Hewell found employment upon release thanks to the employment support he received whilst in education. Whilst in prison, the learner completed the construction gateway course with Novus but was released before he could complete the CSCS element. However, after speaking with our Novus Works account manager, Nic, during his resettlement one-to-one, Nic saw how much the former learner wanted to get back into work so arranged for him to attend an interview with a new employer partner, Gorilla Scaffolding.  

The company were looking for a yard labourer, which the former learner interviewed for and was successful in getting the job, becoming a great member of the team so much so, they put him through his CSCS test themselves!  

After the employment success with the former learner at HMP Hewell, Gorilla Scaffolding were advertising for another yard labourer.  The Novus Works account manager for HMP Stoke Heath had been working with a former learner during his resettlement, who the employer account manager thought would be a good fit for the role and set up an interview for him with Gorilla Scaffolding. The learner had completed the construction pathway and had gained his CSCS card whilst in prison. The learner’s interview went extremely well, and he was offered the job and has now become an integral part of the team!  

Working with local businesses to support prison leavers

By partnering with new employer partner, Gorilla Scaffolding, both former learners were able to find employment upon release, positively contributing to their rehabilitation, and the company were able to fill two of their positions by tapping into a new pool of talent. 

At Novus we work often work with national employers to provide employment opportunities to learners, but this is a fantastic example of how working with a local company has enabled two former learners to find employment in the local area. 

Whether you’re a national, regional or local employer, if you’re interested in employing prison leavers, please get in touch via our website or social media channels.  

To keep up to date with other positive employment case studies and learner outcomes, take a look at our news section.