Lendlease’s Mind the Gap project reaches first year milestone, celebrating the success of its employer-led pathway back into work for offenders and ex-offenders
One year ago, Lendlease’s ‘Be Onsite’ not for profit organisation was successful in winning a £1m contract from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to work with others in the construction sector to explore ways to reduce skills gaps and reoffending of offenders and ex-offenders over three years.
Working across England with a particular focus on London, Birmingham and Manchester, the Mind the Gap project has brought together expert delivery partners to create an employment and training pathway specifically designed for offenders and ex-offenders.
The Mind the Gap Project started on the 1 May 2017 and is combating the challenges of sustained job creation and reducing reoffending by developing an infrastructure to deliver long-term construction training and support for 400 businesses and 60 sustained job outcomes.
Celebrating the project’s first anniversary a reception at the House of Commons was held on 21 May, to share the achievements of the project so far.
200 guests attended.
Speakers
The Rt Hon David Gauke MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice was the keynote speaker.
Other speakers included senior representatives from Lendlease, the CITB and Be Onsite as well as a contractor and a beneficiary of the project, Louie.
By working in a collaborative manner the Mind the Gap project has the capability to create positive service interventions and support for employers, the criminal justice system and currently serving prisoners and ex-offenders. It demonstrates a positive impact on addressing the skills needs of the construction industry by opening up new pathways to employment and joining the industry’s need for new talent with society’s need to reduce offending and reoffending.
Working with the DWP
The Mind the Gap project is working closely with Jobcentre Plus (JCP) who are key stakeholders. JCP’s services and support helps construction employers fill their vacancies and attract new talent into the sector.
How can employers working with JCP get involved?
Employers that already have a relationship with JCP can be linked into the Mind the Gap project team by their local/regional/national contact and those who do not yet work with JCP can email: employer.advice@dwp.gsi.gov.uk who will fast track them to their local JCP contact and the Mind the Gap project team.
