How Can Your Business Benefit From Working With Ex-Offenders?

At Novus, we know that there are real and lasting benefits to hiring an ex-offender into your business.

Not only do you give someone a genuine fresh start, but you also get to tap into a pool of hardworking and motivated candidates who are eager to prove what they can do.

Over 80% of the public think businesses that take on ex-offenders are making a positive contribution to society. That makes hiring from this talent pool a strong way to build a diverse workforce and strengthen your brand reputation with customers and the wider community.

But the benefits do not end there. Businesses that employ prison leavers are also shown to experience reduced staff absences, increased productivity, and stronger employee retention.

Why employment matters for ex-offenders

Reducing reoffending is at the heart of our work at Novus, and increasing the education levels of our learners lays the foundations for lasting change.

Employment is one of the most powerful factors in keeping people out of prison, and by equipping our learners with up-to-date skills and qualifications, we give them the best possible chance of success upon release.

Despite this, only 17% of ex-offenders manage to get a job within a year of release. That figure highlights not just a challenge for individuals, but a genuine opportunity for employers willing to look beyond a criminal record. Many of the most motivated, work-ready people in the UK are currently being overlooked simply because of their history.

Our work with employer partners highlights how open-minded businesses can create real and meaningful opportunities for ex-offenders. Through collaborations like these, we connect learners with pathways into industries that value their abilities, commitment, and determination to make a fresh start.

Many learners arrive in our education departments with difficult histories in learning.

For example, a Novus learner was approached by one of our educators whilst she was at HMP Styal. She had never found a way that education could work for her and felt frustrated that her lack of skills was limiting the roles she could pursue.

Working with a Novus colleague, she began to understand where her passions lay and worked alongside a skilled team to build the skills she had been missing. Without the guidance of a dedicated educator, she might never have known what she was capable of, let alone taken the steps to achieve it. Since she was first approached by Novus, the learner has completed her Level 5 TEFL course and is now searching for work in a field that challenges and excites her.

How employing ex-offenders benefits your business

The business case for hiring prison leavers is well established. The government's employer guide on working with prisoners and ex-offenders sets out the evidence clearly: 81% of people think businesses that employ ex-offenders are making a positive contribution to society, 86% of employers of ex-offenders rate them as good at their job, and 92% of employers say diverse recruitment has enhanced their reputation, helping them win new contracts. Three out of four people also say they would be comfortable buying from a business that employs ex-offenders.

Consumer attitudes have shifted, and being known as an employer that gives people a genuine second chance carries real brand value with customers and in attracting wider talent. Opening recruitment to prison leavers can also reduce hiring costs. The CIPD has calculated that filling the average non-managerial vacancy costs around £2,000. Tapping into an organised talent pool, supported by Novus, can remove much of that overhead.

Employing prison leavers has also been shown to reduce staff absences and improve retention. Ex-offenders place a higher value on having a job and tend to demonstrate greater loyalty as a result, keeping institutional knowledge within your business for longer.

Over 57,000 prisoners return to their communities in England and Wales each year. Without in-prison education and a smooth transition into employment, many will find themselves back inside within months.

Employers who choose to recruit from this group play a direct role in changing that outcome.

How Novus prepares ex-offenders for employment

As we explore in our vocational training in prisons blog, our programmes across subjects like construction, catering, and digital skills do not just supply learners with transferable skills. They also give employers access to motivated, qualified candidates who are ready to contribute from day one.

We understand that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work for every learner. Where possible, we adapt our offer to suit both the subject and the individual. We work closely with partner employers to ensure our education and training stays current, industry-relevant, and aligned to the skills businesses actually need. Our Novus Works team also acts as a direct bridge between our learners and employer partners, supporting both sides through the recruitment and onboarding process.

Ex-offenders who find a job after release are up to 9 percentage points less likely to reoffend. Hiring a prison leaver is not just good for your business; it is a meaningful contribution to public safety and community wellbeing.

How to bring ex-offenders into your business

Once you have found the right candidate, a welcoming and inclusive approach makes all the difference.

Start with mentorship or peer support. Pairing a new employee with a workplace buddy in the early weeks builds confidence and helps them get up to speed more quickly.

Create a supportive culture. Bring your wider team together to discuss the challenges ex-offenders face and the unique strengths they bring, including resilience, motivation, and a determination to succeed. A well-prepared team is far more likely to make a new colleague feel genuinely welcome.

Consider your recruitment process. Many businesses are now adopting Ban the Box, a Business in the Community initiative that removes the criminal conviction question from initial job applications. This gives candidates the chance to be assessed on their skills and experience before any conviction is considered, opening up a wider and stronger candidate pool.

Recognise achievements. Acknowledging progress, however small, is critical for building confidence, engagement, and job satisfaction. For someone rebuilding their life after prison, that recognition carries real weight.

Work with Novus to hire ex-offenders

Hiring ex-offenders supports individuals, strengthens your workforce, and helps create safer communities.

At Novus, we are always keen to work with high-quality partner employers. We will support you throughout the process, from equipping our learners with the skills employers need, to helping them settle confidently into your team.

To find out more, get in touch or visit our Work with Novus page and help us lay the foundations for lasting change.