Spec Finish

Skills www.thefis.org 11 bottle the social value that our sector delivers, it would: A: Need to be a pretty big bottle! and; B: Change the way others view our sector. Our industry is building futures in more than one way and Bounce Back is right at the heart of this.” Firm, safe foundations When Justin Devaney, Operations Director at Platt & Reilly, started looking to recruit dryliners about 18 months ago, he mentioned it to a supplier who told him about their work with the Bounce Back scheme. Justin said: “I am in the lucky position to be able to offer someone a job and a second chance at a life, I am quietly confident that this will go right for both parties as we have taken a deep dive into what will be required to enable a person that is going to be released after a considerable time in prison to adjust to life on the outside again. “It often takes a series of negative events that get people into prison, and they need a lot of support to get back on the right track. I will shadow our new employees from this scheme from a distance, so they are unaware that they are getting any special treatment and the additional mentoring that we know may be needed. I will be unobtrusive but as supportive as each individual needs.” When they leave prison, Bounce Back will have found them secure accommodation to go to if they don’t have any, and will provide them with any ‘life support’ they feel they need. This gives them a firm, and safe foundation while they learn to re-join the workforce and ease back into the stresses of everyday life. Justin will just have them during work hours but many, many people will be involved in their continuing support as there are many layers of professional support required in sensitive situations like this, whether it be addiction issues, accommodation issues, mental health counselling etc. As time goes by and confidence increases, it is likely that the levels of support needed will diminish, Justin described the process as “watching them grow and slowly taking away the stabilisers without them noticing.” This scheme is new to Platt & Reilly, and it is important for individuals coming to work for Justin through the scheme to know that their background is unquestionably confidential. Justin makes it crystal clear that no workmates will ever find out that the new recruits have been in prison. If the ex-offender ever chooses to disclose this information, it will be on their terms. To ‘forewarn’ existing workers that their new team mate has just come from serving a prison sentence, Justin says, is setting up the arrangement to fail, however inclusive and accepting we think we are, our subconscious, pre-conceived opinions could jeopardise any successful reintegration into a workforce.” Justin is waiting for his first recruits from the Bounce Back scheme but is ready to support some new, skilled dryliners in their valuable steps to a new, productive and hopefully rewarding life which will be the polar opposite of where they have just come from. He said: “We are privileged to be in a position to assist Bounce Back by reintroducing people into society and it should be down to every company in the UK to voluntarily seek out ways to help less fortunate people.” Drywall training programme at HMP Cardiff Independently, Etex recently partnered with Willmott Dixon to support HMP Cardiff in creating a drywall installation training programme. It will give inmates the chance to learn how to install plasterboard, and will help the construction industry to tackle the skills shortage by creating a new pipeline of potential construction professionals. The course is an update from a previous programme run by the prison and is designed to provide learners with the most up-to-date industry knowledge and best practices. Designed to mirror a real-life construction site, Etex and Willmott Dixon helped to create an open space with individual workbenches for each participant including colour-coded drylining spec plans on the walls. Etex created a certificate that each participant will receive once they have completed the programme to support them on their journey into employment post-release, while Wilmott Dixon has been working in conjunction with drylining installation businesses to encourage them to hire course participants once they leave prison. Jeff Fry, Area Commercial Manager at Etex, added: “As the sector is struggling to recruit and retain workers, it is important to educate those who have never had the chance to learn these skills before whilst also providing them with an opportunity to improve their future and start a really rewarding career.” Kenny’s story Kenny was absolutely determined that he wanted to change and move away from his old lifestyle once released from custody. Since working with Bounce Back he has shown his commitment by completing courses including CSCS and drylining. He has also completed a public speaking workshop which he says has increased his confidence enormously. Kenny’s case manager ensured he was set up with Universal Credit and with stable accommodation, which helped him feel he was on a path to a better future. Through relationships with a number of drylining companies, Kenny is now focused on getting back into a normal life and has got employment and training opportunities. The only challenge is combining this with the challenges he faces at home, however his newfound confidence makes him feel he can overcome some of this and he has now started as a trainee dryliner. Kenny said: “Working with Bounce Back has made me realise that my conviction will not hold me back and I am worth investing in.” www.Bounce Backproject.com