A third of construction managers wouldn’t hire candidates they knew had a criminal record, according to a survey.
A report published by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) on Tuesday (12 March) found that people with past criminal convictions often face discrimination and poor training opportunities.
In a survey of 270 construction managers across 133 businesses, 32 per cent said they would not consider hiring someone with an unspent criminal conviction.
A quarter of respondents said they would, and a further 43 per cent said they were unsure.
Despite these figures, the survey showed that 56 per cent of construction firms currently employ someone with a criminal record, a figure the CIOB said was likely higher as not all convictions are disclosed to employers.
Niamh Evans, CIOB policy and public affairs officer for the North, said: “Construction companies across the UK are facing a labour shortage and there is an untapped market of potential candidates waiting to be unearthed.
“However, negative stigma and a lack of access to proper training for people in prison means there are many people missing out on a second chance at life.”
Those who said they would not consider hiring someone with a criminal record most often cited the risk to their business’s reputation and the possibility of a negative reaction from clients.
Some respondents said they would not trust the behaviour of someone with a criminal record, especially in a high-risk environment like a construction site, and some cited legal risks from hiring someone with an unspent criminal conviction.
The report recommends construction companies review their hiring process to ensure individuals are being considered on a case-by-case basis.
Around 12,000 people are released from custody every three months in England and Wales, but only just over a quarter (26 per cent) are in employment six months afterwards.
The government estimates the annual economic and social cost of reoffending in England and Wales at £18bn.
Three-fifths of construction companies in the survey had not participated in an initiative to train or employ people with criminal convictions.
The CIOB suggested construction companies could reach out to those with criminal records by offering day release work experience for people in custody.
Other ideas could include hosting training sessions in prisons and proactively offering job interviews to candidates with criminal convictions, it said.
The report praises Kier’s Making Ground programme, which works with prisons to give onsite work experience to prisoners on temporary release and offer interview opportunities to people with criminal convictions.
Kier became one of the first companies in England and Wales to offer apprenticeships to people in custody.
The CIOB report also highlights a partnership between North Wales timber frame housing contractor Williams Homes and local prison HMP Berwyn.
Williams Homes hosts a training academy with a purpose-built factory which can host up to 30 people at a time.
Factory workers are paid to assemble building materials and can work towards professional qualifications up to a NVQ Level 3.
The contractor has employed people permanently once they have left custody.
Owain Williams, joint managing director, said: “Our initiative to provide work experience and training to individuals in our local prison has been incredibly successful.
“We have gained loyal workers and we have been able to tailor our supply chain to meet the company’s needs, whilst giving back to the community.”
“We have gained loyal workers and we have been able to tailor our supply chain to meet the company’s needs, whilst giving back to the community.”
