WISE Employment has been assisting ex-offenders with employment assistance and support for over 10 years and operates the Job Services Australia specialist ex-offender program in Richmond, Victoria and Penrith, New South Wales.

WISE Richmond’s Ex-offender Program Manager, Janice Miller has been working with national employer, TOLL for the past six years. The partnership is a natural fit. “TOLL actively support the employment of people with a history of incarceration and drug addiction, by providing a supportive, structured work environment through their Second Step Program,” explains Roger. “Their approach to recruiting this particular client group has had such positive results, both for them as an employer, as well as for the employees.”

TOLL Second Step Program Coordinator, Roger Antochi believes that more employers need to consider employing staff who might have a criminal record. “Employment provides community inclusion, financial security and a sense of worth,” he explains. “With the right support, these employees excel in their new roles.” Participants in the Second Step program are matched with a mentor, who provides one on one support throughout for the duration of the 12 month program. “This way, the employee knows they have someone to go to for help with any work related issues and in turn they have the confidence to achieve their employment goals.”

Janice says working with ex-offender clients is a “whole life approach”. The case managers work with this particular client group on many levels to assist each of them to prepare for the workforce - it is a very one on one approach. “We have clients who might need to find accommodation and until they have a roof over their heads, it’s pretty difficult to be looking for work”. The case managers assist the clients to access essential support services, from counselling, to support groups to housing. “It’s about helping that person to get their lives back on track so that they are ready to reengage with work-life”.

Roger agrees with Janice’s sentiments and says that helping ex-offender clients to prepare for employment means addressing the full spectrum of issues. “We know that when WISE put forward potential clients, they are already working towards being job ready and they are coming to us with the support of an employment service,” he says. “It works so well because the individual is supported by WISE Employment, myself and a mentor in the division that they are working in.” Since the TOLL Second Step program began in 2001, no more that 5% of participants have returned to their previous lifestyle.

Find out more about the specialist ex-offender program