Unlocking Hospitality

Scotland has a talent pool of reformed individuals who are looking for hospitality work.

These people have gained a wealth of experience through running the busy kitchens that provide meals to over 700 prisoners daily, managing the daily operational functions and are looking for opportunities to work towards their own catering, hospitality, and customer service qualifications.

Over 400 businesses UK wide and government departments are providing employment opportunities to serving prisoners within industries workshops, ROTL placements and employment of prison leavers, your business could be one of them.

The social value of recruiting prison leavers is endless, and you can find out more about this by attending our Unlocking Hospitality event.

• Three out of four people would be comfortable buying from a business that employs ex-offenders
• Ex-offenders who get a job after prison are up to 70 percentage points less likely to reoffend
• 81% of people think that businesses employing ex-offenders are making a positive contribution to society
• 86% of employers of ex-offenders rate them as good at their job
• 92% of employers say diverse recruitment has enhanced their reputation, helping them win new contracts

Employers in attendance are asked to bring with them any live job vacancies that they may have within their organisation, and consider the time spent getting to know a prisoner at the event, as an interview with the potential to provide consideration for an offer employment on the day.

Hospitality businesses attending will provide demonstrations for skills such as non-alcoholic cocktail making and barista skills as well as a chef demonstration. The event will be interactive and engaging.

This event marks the start of a recruitment drive to increase employment opportunities for prison leavers in the hospitality sector.

Leading Scottish hospitality businesses will collaborate to host events in prisons across the country. We will partner with organisations like New Futures Network and UK Hospitality to showcase the array skills and experience that prison leavers can bring to the industry.