With unemployment rates at historic lows, employers are struggling to find qualified candidates to fill vacancies. From construction and manufacturing to hospitality and professional services, organizations who are planning to hire in the coming months will find a dwindling pool of capable candidates.
In an effort to create safer communities by reducing re-offenses, Governor Ducey
proposed prerelease workforce services for inmates to prepare them for success and self-sufficiency. On March 27, 2017, the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) and Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) opened the first Second Chance Centers (SCC) inside three of the state’s prisons to prepare inmates who are within 60-days of release for Arizona’s workforce through comprehensive employment readiness services. SCC participants receive hard and soft skills workforce training, résumé and job search assistance, job interview preparation, participate in on-site job fairs, enroll in healthcare, and connect to housing, clothing, and transportation.
To date, more than 2,600 inmates have successfully completed the 10-week SCC workforce program resulting in more than 1,600 job placements. In 2018, reentry workforce services expanded to serve former inmates in two Parole Offices, two designated Reentry Centers, one County Jail, the NATIVE HEALTH central office, and youth in one Juvenile Corrections facility. Connecting individuals to gainful employment improves their likelihood of living successful and self-sufficient, crime-free lives. Providing opportunities and hope through this program will help stop the cycle of incarceration for many individuals and fill your vacancies with loyal and dedicated workers at no cost.