Project Summary

Challenge

The construction industry continues to experience significant skills shortages across a range of occupations, while thousands of people leaving the prison system face substantial barriers when attempting to secure sustainable employment. Despite many individuals in custody possessing transferable skills and work experience, a lack of confidence, limited industry connections and restricted access to construction-specific training can make progression into employment challenging.

Previous CITB-funded initiatives identified that people leaving custody benefit most when engagement and training begin while they are still within a familiar and supportive environment. Evidence from earlier programmes also highlighted the importance of strong partnership working between employers, training providers and support organisations in helping individuals transition successfully into employment.

At the same time, employers across Scotland require new routes into recruitment to address workforce shortages and improve retention. Creating a structured pathway that prepares and supports prison residents before release presents an opportunity to connect a previously underutilised talent pool with genuine construction career opportunities.

Solution

Amey, working in partnership with the Scottish Prison Service and construction employers across Scotland, is developing and delivering a pilot programme designed to prepare prison residents for employment within the construction and infrastructure sectors. The project aims to create a sustainable model that can be applied across multiple establishments and replicated more widely in the future.

The programme combines employability support, construction-specific training and direct engagement with employers to create a clear pathway from custody into employment. Training begins within prison establishments, enabling participants to build confidence and develop skills before release.

The project will be delivered across all 15 Scottish prison establishments and includes two stages of support.

Stage One focuses on engagement, confidence building and preparation for employment, helping residents understand opportunities within construction and identify suitable career pathways.

Stage Two provides construction-specific training and qualifications for individuals preparing for release and seeking employment opportunities within the sector. Training may include:

• Construction industry awareness

• Employability and interview preparation

• CSCS card preparation and testing

• Traffic management training

• Street works qualifications

• Plant and equipment competency training

• Employer engagement and recruitment support.

Construction employers involved in the programme will also receive dedicated guidance and resources designed to support the recruitment and retention of individuals leaving custody. New training materials and guidance packs will be developed for employers, managers and participants, creating a sustainable model that can continue beyond the funding period.

The project will track participants throughout their journey from training to job interviews, employment and sustained employment, generating valuable insight into effective approaches for improving recruitment and retention within the construction industry.

Outcomes