And with job vacancies remaining high across the region – especially in hospitality, catering, trades, and logistics – Corin Crane, chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Employer Advisory Board at HMP Onley, believes the programme could form part of the solution.
He said: “Across Coventry and Warwickshire, businesses face a serious skills shortage, one of the biggest challenges for our local economy. HMP Onley, along with prisons around the UK, is offering a real solution.
“Motivated individuals are gaining qualifications in areas where employers desperately need talent. These programmes don’t just change lives, they strengthen communities and help businesses thrive.
"We’re calling on more employers to find out about the programmes and see the potential that exists as a result of these workshops and training spaces.”
At HMP Onley, prisoners are taking part in a vast variety of vocational programmes, gaining nationally recognised qualifications, hands-on experience, and practical skills that prepare them for meaningful work upon release. Reoffending rates are significantly reduced when prisoners have guaranteed employment secured on release.
Amanda Price, Head of Education, Skills and Work at HMP Onley, added: “Every day, people are training, learning, and developing real skills.
These programmes are more than just qualifications, they help break the cycle of reoffending. Rehabilitation is about preparation, purpose, and opportunity, and businesses play a vital role in making that possible.”
A prisoner currently taking part in the programme shared: “For me, these programmes change the way you feel. Prison can feel closed, but these courses open up opportunities for you.
I would ask businesses to consider engaging with prisons, it’s a massive opportunity to turn lives around. You’re helping people, their families, and society as a whole.”
Greene King, one of the UK’s largest pub chains, demonstrates how businesses can drive social impact. Partnering with over 70 prisons nationwide, including HMP Onley, Greene King has created clear pathways from training to employment. Employees who have come through the programme have been independently recognised as “Employee of the Month”, received glowing customer reviews and praise for their dedication and loyalty.
Graham Briggs, Social Mobility Lead at Greene King, said: “The main benefit we see is the loyalty that comes back when you give people a chance.
"At HMP Onley, our ‘jobs on release’ model is thriving, people know what opportunities await them outside of prison, and that’s completely reflected in the loyalty, productivity, and engagement scores we see. That’s why we’ll keep delivering this programme and expanding it where possible.”
The Chamber is encouraging local employers to get involved in three key ways:
1. Partner inside prison: bring your business into workshops and training spaces, creating commercially meaningful projects.
2. Offer jobs on release: open doors by providing interviews, placements, and employment opportunities.
3. Lead the conversation: share success stories, mentor others, and help shift perceptions around employing people with convictions.
To showcase the programme’s successes, the Chamber filmed a video at HMP Onley with trainers, prison staff, and prisoners. This will be presented at the Chamber’s Annual Business & Economic Conference 2025, demonstrating the opportunities and impact of engaging with rehabilitation initiatives.
