MOMENTUM TRAINING SCHOOL
Creating employer-led pathways from prison to sustainable employment.
Momentum brings employers, prison services, training providers and specialist support organisations together to help people move from custody into construction careers, while helping employers tackle the skills shortages.
Why Momentum exists
Construction employers continue to face recruitment and skills challenges. At the same time, people leaving prison often face significant barriers to employment. Momentum was created to tackle both challenges. Our coordinated, employer-led approach brings motivated people together with employers who are ready to give them a chance, creating a clear route from prison to employment.
One partnership, one shared goal
No single organisation can solve this alone. That is why Momentum brings together organisations from the public, private and third sectors to create sustainable employment opportunities.
Momentors create opportunities
Employers provide opportunities, experience and jobs.
Momentum Makers making those opportunities possible
Funders enabling the programme to happen and grow.
How Momentum works
A simple four-stage journey from selection to employment.
STEP 1
Select
HMP Kirkham identifies suitable candidates for the programme.
STEP 2
Train
Catway Training delivers industry-relevant training.
STEP 3
Interview
Participants meet employers, practise with mock interviews and take part in recruitment.
STEP 4
Employ
Participants move into employment opportunities, backed by ongoing support by Onward Lives.
A pilot that delivered
Our delivery pilot set out to test the Momentum model. The results speak for themselves.
6
participants completed the pilot programme.
6
participants completed training and employer interviews.
3
employers took part.
100%
of participants progressed into employment opportunities.
100%
of partners supported continuing or expanding the programme.
Participant feedback
“The employers are really invested in us to change our lives and give us a chance.”
Momentum participant
“It feels like we, as prisoners, are being treated the same as people on the out.”
Momentum participant
Partner feedback
“There was a genuine feeling of togetherness at the end and a collective sense of us all having achieved something really meaningful.”
Momentum partner
Why Momentum works
Our support goes beyond supply. We help clients shape better outcomes through early input, technical guidance and long-term thinking.
Employer-led
Employers are involved from day one and help to shape the training.
Industry Training
Participants gain relevant qualifications linked to genuine opportunities.
Employability Support
Mock interviews and interview preparation help participants feel ready.
Wraparound Support
Support is in place before and after employment begins.
Real Jobs
Every participant in the pilot secured an employment opportunity.
Participant Choice
Participants help to choose their future employer.
Become a Momentum employer partner
Momentum’s next cohort needs employers like you. Join us to meet motivated candidates, tackle your skills shortages and help people build a new career in construction, with support from our partners every step of the way.
Connect with candidates developing industry-relevant skills.
Access support throughout the recruitment and employment journey.
Contribute to social value through employment opportunities.
Help shape future cohorts around your recruitment needs.
Momentum’s next cohort needs employers like you. Join us to meet motivated candidates, tackle your skills shortages and help people build a new career in construction, with support from our partners every step of the way.
Fund the next step towards employment
Your funding can help more people access construction training and a supported route into work. Talk to us about supporting future participants and developing the Momentum partnership.
Help deliver future participants to the programme.
Expand employer engagement and recruitment opportunities.
Help fund industry training and employability support.
Help measure longer-term employment outcomes.
Tell us about your funding priorities and the outcomes you want to support. We can explore how they align with the next phase of Momentum.
Help shape the next Momentum programme
We want to build on the pilot by supporting participants in work, tracking longer-term outcomes and bringing more employers into the partnership. Funding for future participants will help us expand training and support, with sustainable employment as the goal.
Talk to us about Momentum
Whether you want to offer employment opportunities or support future training, we would love to hear from you.