Our experience in delivering projects in the justice sector has shown us, first-hand, the importance of rehabilitation and education in breaking the cycle of reoffending and providing second chances. Kier’s Making Ground programme is a pioneering prison engagement and employment initiative aimed at providing training and employment opportunities for prison leavers. In FY24 alone, the programme supported over 35 people serving sentences in prisons with training and facilitated more than 25 Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) opportunities. Kier remains committed to rehabilitation and promoting social mobility through sustainable employment.
35+
Candidates trained serving sentences
in prison
41
Employment offers to prison leavers
25+
ROTL opportunities within Kier
Leading rehabilitation and employment initiatives
Kier has established itself as an industry leader in recruiting people with convictions through our Making Ground programme. By offering employability training and employment to prison leavers, we are diversifying our workforce, enriching our skills base, and supporting our social value commitments to public sector clients, including the Ministry of Justice. Over the last three years, 75 prison leavers have been employed, and 64 ROTL placements were offered within Kier and our supply chain.
"We believe that by offering opportunities to those with diverse backgrounds, including prison leavers, we are not only offering second chances but also strengthening our business and contributing to safer, stronger communities."
Louisa Finlay, Chief People Officer, Kier Group
"I thought it was a miracle when I found out I'd been offered this role. It was the first time, in a long time, that I felt there was a real opportunity to rebuild my life, in a meaningful way."
Senior Quantity Surveyor and Making Ground candidate
"Construction skills are taught widely in prisons, with many men and women hoping to have careers in the sector after they’re released. We’re proud to be working in partnership with Kier which offers people those opportunities so they can rebuild their lives, earn a living and make a contribution."
Duncan O’Leary, CEO, New Futures Network, HMPPS
Strategic partnerships for long-term impact
Kier has partnered with the Ministry of Justice to demonstrate our commitment to promoting rehabilitation and reducing reoffending. With strategic relationships across five prisons, the programme has delivered training and careers advice to over 900 candidates, showcasing our desire to lead and drive positive change and supporting long-term outcomes for prison leavers.
We are also part of the Good Jobs Project and West Midlands Employers’ Alliance, a group established by Severn Trent with a common goal of driving action in the region to help employers recruit people from marginalised backgrounds. The group includes 10 major employers in the region and focuses on supporting recruitment of care and prison leavers and neurodiverse employees.
Recognising excellence in inclusion and diversity
In FY24, the Making Ground programme was recognised with the Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year award at the Water Industry Awards, highlighting our commitment to providing equal opportunities and promoting an inclusive workplace. This recognition underscores the programme’s success and its positive impact on individuals and communities alike.
We are proud to be a strategic partner to the Ministry of Justice, actively supporting the Government’s agenda for rehabilitation. Through Making Ground, Kier has become an industry leader in the recruitment of people with convictions, contributing to reducing reoffending rates and helping individuals reintegrate into society successfully. This inclusive approach benefits both the individuals and the business by bringing fresh perspectives and experiences, making us a stronger and more innovative company.
