Breaking down barriers to employment
3rd Feb 2012
Plain Speaking PR is very proud to be associated with two organisations that are helping to break down barriers to employment in the East of England: Chapelfield Shopping Centre and Business in the Community.
On Wednesday 1 February 2012, more than 100 employers and business leaders from the East of England attended the Right Step Conference in Essex to find out how barriers to employment can be broken down. The conference was organised by the business charity Business in the Community (BITC), and supported by the National Offender Management Service and the European Social Fund. The half day conference focused on helping employers to recruit and retain the most talented staff they can. It looked at the barriers that firms put in the way of employing the best staff – especially those who are ex-offenders.
The conference programme was led by celebrity entrepreneur Levi Roots who turned his life around after getting into trouble with the police and serving time in Pentonville Prison. He went on to launch a hugely successful food brand – Reggae Reggae Sauce – and charmed the Dragons on BBC2’s Dragon’s Den.
“Crime has a huge impact on our society, particularly on businesses. Reducing re-offending is proven to be one of the best ways to reduce crime levels,” said Mike Brophy, BITC’s Regional Director for the East of England. “Evidence shows that having a job is a major factor in preventing future offending because it means that people have a real alternative to crime. But many offenders face significant barriers to entering the labour market even when they are committed to changing their lives.”
Mike Brophy continues: “This purpose of this event is to highlight the benefits that breaking down traditional barriers to employment can bring to employers in the East of England. Whilst we are keen to demonstrate the positive impact that businesses can have on their communities and society in general, in these tough economic times employers need concrete examples of how providing opportunities to ‘hard to reach’ groups such as ex-offenders can provide tangible business benefits.”
You can find out more about the Chapelfield Custody and Community Project and about the Right Step project by visiting the BITC website.
