The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is working with HMP The Mount to encourage employers and training providers to help create clear pathways into construction for people leaving custody.

Through its Construction Centre for Excellence programme, the Hertfordshire prison is seeking employer partners who can help develop industry-relevant skills, qualifications and employment opportunities while delivering meaningful social value within their communities.

The construction sector has been identified by HMP The Mount as a viable employment route for individuals approaching release. This follows a survey involving more than 400 prisoners, alongside a review of labour market opportunities within the areas where they are due to return.

With support from CITB, the prison hosted an employer engagement event on 10 September 2026 to showcase the programme and attract organisations interested in supporting its development.

Employers see the impact first-hand

The event provided potential employer sponsors with an opportunity to visit the prison, tour its facilities and learn more about how they could support people preparing to re-enter the workforce.

Attendees explored ways they could contribute through workshops, the donation of resources and equipment, and mock job interviews with individuals approaching release.

The impact of the programme was immediately evident. One employer already supporting the programme, Bugler Group, was so impressed with an individual who had been interviewed, the company offered them a job on the back of this event.

“One individual we met particularly stood out, and we are now exploring ways to support him into employment on release. For us, that is exactly why days like this matter,” said Bugler Group.

The success story demonstrated to other attending organisations the difference employers can make by supporting rehabilitation and creating opportunities for people looking to build a future within the construction industry.

Attendees also heard from keynote speakers including Governor David Daddow and Alison Bell, a member of The Mount Employer Advisory Board, who spoke about the importance of the programme and its potential to transform lives.

Organisations showed genuine interest in the individuals taking part and offered practical support for their transition into employment. Their engagement had a significant and lasting effect on the men involved.

Denise Southard, Social Value Manager at Glencar said: “It was great to see how education, training and employer engagement are being brought together to create real opportunities and, importantly, a pathway to a better future.

“I found the visit particularly powerful because it demonstrated what meaningful Social Value can look like in practice -supporting rehabilitation, challenging perceptions and helping people build a positive future through skills and employment.”

Tim Gray, Director at A2O Limited added: “Volunteers and prison staff showed a genuine commitment to helping prisoners develop the skills and confidence needed to find work after release."

"I was really impressed with some of the individuals that I did mock interviews with – good eye contact, spoke clearly, well prepped and were keen for a fresh start!”

Following the event, 19 of the 20 men due for release expressed an interest in pursuing a career in construction. As a result, CITB and several attending employers have since received CVs from individuals seeking employment opportunities within the sector.

Addressing industry skills shortages

The initiative comes at a time when the construction industry continues to face skills shortages, while the Government's early release scheme has brought renewed focus to supporting people leaving custody into sustainable employment.

According to CITB's Construction Workforce Outlook, an average of 41,200 additional workers will be needed each year between 2026 and 2030. The report also identifies ex-offenders as an underutilised talent pool that could help address workforce shortages while creating positive outcomes for individuals and communities.

Through initiatives such as the Construction Centre for Excellence, HMP The Mount hopes to create a model that could be replicated elsewhere across the UK, helping more people leaving custody access sustainable careers in construction.

A vision for the future

Speaking about the Construction Centre for Excellence, Governor of The Mount, David Daddow, said: "The centre of excellence for construction can offer a gateway to learning skills, which the prison hopes can improve employability on release. These skills will include CSCS, plumbing, plastering, bricklaying, flooring and general maintenance."

To support this ambition, the prison has invested in a series of newly refurbished indoor workshops, which are scheduled to open in April 2027.

David explained that the next stage is to maximise the potential of these high-quality training facilities by ensuring they are designed to meet industry standards and employment needs.

The prison is now seeking support with this area and was pleased to see much enthusiasm at the recent open day for construction employers in September.

The workshops will also feature employer branding and materials, helping to raise awareness of organisations willing to consider candidates with a custodial background.

"This is essential to help our prisoners develop hope for a better future and encourage them to be a contributing member of society. Third-sector support from the construction sector can help the prison to deliver this objective," David added.

Employers and training providers interested in supporting the Construction Centre for Excellence are encouraged to work with HMP The Mount to help shape the future workforce while delivering meaningful social value within their communities.

To find out more about becoming an employer sponsor, please email angela.evans1@justice.gov.uk.

• Employer Sponsorship Proposition brochure (PDF, 2.15MB)