Social housing specialist wins deal to help ex-offenders
PROCURE Plus, the not-for-profit company specialising in new build, repair and maintenance of social housing, has been awarded a contract to help ex-offenders access employment and career training opportunities.
The Trafford Park-based organisation has been appointed by The National Offender Management Service Co-Financing Organisation via Achieve North West Connect.
Financed by European Social Fund monies, the new contract, known as CFO3, runs for five years from January 2016 and aims to get at least 130 people into work during the period.
Targeting those deemed to be furthest from the jobs market, participants are supported for six months to become job ready, learning life skills and overcoming barriers to employment, before being referred to job opportunities created by the Procure Plus framework.
Since beginning work with NOMS CFO in 2010, Procure Plus has helped 257 people enter employment, with 85% retaining their roles for a minimum of six months. The majority of these achieved at least a recognised qualification at NVQ Level 2 or equivalent.
In addition, nearly 600 people have been assisted by attending supportive mock interviews, receiving mentoring and feedback to help improve their interview technique, while nearly 500 were interviewed by employers on the Procure Plus contractor framework.
Cilla Roberts, project manager for Achieve North West Connect said: “Procure Plus has helped to deliver a number of success stories through this scheme, which reflects the high quality programme being delivered.
“Its experience in delivering this scheme, and contacts in setting up both interviews and job opportunities, will ensure we can transform a lot more lives in the future.”
Ann-Marie English, senior regeneration manager at Procure Plus, said: “What’s different about our approach is a focus on the long term, via sustained career opportunities and support. We look forward to working with NOMS for a further five years to help ex-offenders remove barriers to employment and break the potential re-offending cycle.”
