Correctional education and reentry programs train people in correctional facilities with the skills they need to find employment after they reenter the workforce. These programs have the potential to help bridge the current manufacturing skills gap—but only if we raise awareness about the opportunities they provide and work to change negative perceptions around second chance hiring practices.
Correctional Education Programs Can Help Close the Skills Gap…
The manufacturing industry is growing. A recent report from Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute found that employment surpassed pre-pandemic levels and that dollars invested in building new or expanded manufacturing facilities tripled between June 2020 and April 2024.
But there may not be enough skilled workers to keep up with the industry’s growth. The U.S. will need 3.8 million new employees in manufacturing between now and 2033. We are on track to fill only about half of those positions. 1.9 million jobs could remain unfilled if we do not find ways to close the skills gap, which is the gap between the skills required for a job and the skills workers actually have.
Employers are looking for ways to fill the talent pipeline; increasing access to skilled trades training in correctional facilities could be part of the solution.
According to the White House, more than 650,000 people are released from state and federal prisons every year. Reentry programs that teach in-demand skills like welding, electrical, and machining bolster the talent pool and enable employers to hire people with the right skills for in-demand jobs.
…And Lower Recidivism Rates
Recidivism is the term for previously convicted people reoffending and reentering the prison system. A U.S. Department of Justice analysis of recidivism rates in 24 states found that 43% of people released from state prisons were rearrested within one year of release, and 82% were rearrested at least once during the 10 years following release.
Factors contributing to recidivism in the U.S. include lack of employment opportunities, safe housing, affordable healthcare, or access to good education.
Job training programs in correctional facilities help lower recidivism rates. Studies have shown that inmates who participate in correctional education programs have a 43% lower chance of recidivating and a higher chance of finding employment after release than those who do not. Programs that deliver quality education and teach in-demand skills can help students achieve successful release and begin building a life outside of prison.
Employers Are Key To Growing Programs, But Negative Perception Is a Barrier to Success
Many organizations and state programs are working hard to increase access to correctional education and equip people with relevant skills, but hiring people with criminal records still carries a negative connotation.
A study in the Quarterly Journal of Economics found that employers who included a question about criminal records in the application process were 63% percent more likely to call candidates with no record compared to those with them. Unemployment rates among people with past convictions are five times higher than the national average. The Prison Policy Initiative also found that people of color, especially women, tend to face even higher unemployment rates.
Shifting the negative perspective on second chance hiring will be a key component in closing the skills gap and lowering unemployment rates for people with past convictions. More employers must be willing to invest in correctional education and reentry programs if we want to train skilled workers to fill in-demand jobs.
We Can Start Making A Difference Today
Investing in correctional education and creating a second-chance hiring program can be challenging, but employers do not have to do it on their own. There are already many dedicated organizations working to provide resources and training to incarcerated individuals. If you are interested in getting involved, here are a few things you can do to connect with people in your community who provide correctional education.
Check to see if your state corrections department has programs or resources. Indiana’s HIRE program works with employers to understand their needs and find jobs for former inmates based on their skills and interests. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections offers over 130 stackable certifications and hosts a Reentry Workforce Portal that connects employers with skilled candidates. Some states including Illinois, Indiana, and Maryland, offer incentives and tax credits for employers who hire formerly incarcerated people.
Connect with workforce development organizations in your area to see if they have correctional education programs in place. Are there programs that train for skills that are relevant to your business? Can your company provide expertise or equipment to current training programs?
Join a national organization to stay informed on new developments. The Correctional Education Association hosts regional conferences and training events for member organizations. The Second Chance Business Coalition has a section of its website with resources and tools to help you build community partnerships and get started with your own hiring initiatives.
Share stories of successful correctional education and second chance hiring programs to help shift the perspective. A recent article in HR Dive featured a second chance hiring program from a packaging company in Ohio. Promising People is working to bring its unique virtual reality training programs to correctional facilities. NBS recently worked with Promising People to develop a competency-based credential for the Electrical Helper program.
NBS Helps Workforce Development Programs Validate Learner’s Skills
NBS has partnered with many workforce development organizations to create competency-based credentials. Earning a high-quality credential is an unbiased proof of skills for candidates and employers and demonstrates that an individual has the necessary industry-specific skills to be successful on the job. We offer a special Workforce Development program for nonprofits that provide industry training. Nonprofits participating in the program will be able to leverage NBS technical skills assessments at a reduced price.
If you would like to learn more about the Workforce Development Program or would like to apply, please send us a message through our contact form or call 1-800-334-6283.
Recent Comments