Bright Futures, a new specialist employment programme, provided by The Forward Trust in the London Borough of Brent will enable ex-offenders to secure employment in good quality jobs that are aligned to their skills.

Unemployment amongst ex-offenders is particularly high as employers are reluctant to recruit them, they are more likely to have low-level skills and qualifications – which means they find it difficult to complete for opportunities – and they are more likely to have other associated problems that prevent them from securing or sustaining employment.

Asi Panditharatna, the Forward Trust’s Divisional Director of Employment services explained:

This is a new and exciting employability programme that we are very pleased to be delivering in partnership with the London Borough of Brent.

We have extensive experience of supporting ex-offenders into employment through our successful Employment Coach model.

Our ongoing commitment to working closely with employers to ensure they will be able to recruit well-prepared and talented individuals who will make a significant contribution to their organisations.

Cllr Agha, Brent Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Skills & Employment, said:

We want a borough where everyone can feel secure and where each resident is given every opportunity to succeed.

This partnership with the Forward Trust means that we can help all residents, including ex-offenders, access the employment opportunities that we have in Brent and make a positive contribution to this borough.

The Bright Futures project will run from May 2019 to March 2021.

Image credit: Forward Trust