The Governor’s Council of Second Chance Employers created a campaign dedicated to shifting the negative perception around hiring formerly incarcerated people. The Fair Chance Hiring Campaign aims to educate employers on the benefits of hiring people soon to be released from prison.
Ryan Bowman, workforce development manager at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation, said growing Kentucky’s employment base is an investment in the state.
“Record amount of investment in Kentucky just keeps happening year after year, and if we're not able to provide those workers, then those investments will stop coming because we have to fulfill the workforce needs of the investors that are coming into Kentucky,” said Bowman.
The program collaborates with the Kentucky Department of Corrections and the Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s workforce recovery program, which focuses on job training and skill development for incarcerated people.
Bowman added the program makes it easier for employers to find qualified candidates.
“Whenever we work with the business, and we refer the business to the Department of Corrections Reentry Division, it kind of takes some of the recruiting load off of the employer's back, as far as, we need this certification or this training or to meet these job description skills, this is what we need. They no longer have to go out and find that person,” said Bowman.
As part of the campaign, the organization offers a Fair Chance Academy, which helps businesses leaders learn how to successfully hire, train, and retain formerly incarcerated employees. Officials said Kentucky has one of the lowest workforce participation rates in the United States, at fewer than 60 percent. Information about the organization and upcoming academy dates can be found online at kentuckycomeback.com.