An answer to the post-pandemic labor shortage: second chance hiring

Second-chance, justice-involved, formerly incarcerated. Whatever term is used, they are people who just need a job. That simple truth served as the theme of a July 18 Region of Choice meeting to discuss opportunities for employers to hire individuals who have served time. As one of the panelists put it, “Remember, you’re working with people, not labels.”

The program was organized in partnership with the African American Leadership Alliance Milwaukee (AALAM) and Milwaukee Inner City Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH).

It’s estimated that more than 70 million Americans have a criminal record. One year after being released, 75% of those individuals are unemployed – greatly increasing the odds of recidivism.

Employers play a key role in reversing this statistic. And with fewer people available in the metro Milwaukee area to fill jobs, this population is an often-overlooked source of employees.

Employ Milwaukee works with both individuals and employers to match people to needs and provide training. They also help employers access funding to assist with onboarding and skills development – the work opportunity tax credit being one source of funds. This federal tax credit is available to employers for hiring and employing individuals from certain targeted groups who have faced significant barriers to employment.

Project RETURN (Returning Ex-incarcerated People to Urban Realities ​and Neighborhoods) helps individuals who have experienced incarceration make a positive, permanent return to community, family and friends in the Milwaukee area. This non-profit aids with employment, transportation, housing, support groups, clothing and advocacy.

Panelists said there is ample room for growth in the hiring of justice-involved individuals, and not just in the more typical areas of construction and manufacturing. Advocate Aurora Health was held up as an example of an employer experiencing success with second-chance hiring.

When done right, employees joining a new company enter stable, welcoming work environments and a culture of respect that does not tolerate retaliation. Through Employ Milwaukee, employer representatives can experience a simulation of the obstacles a justice-involved individual faces in the workplace.

---

Want to learn more about the opportunities and resources?
Contact the panelists:

Wylbur Holloway
Manager of Reentry Services
Employ Milwaukee
EMAIL

Ferdinand Gaud
Program Manager for Transitional Jobs
UMOS
EMAIL

Andre
Brown
Employment Specialist
Project RETURN
EMAIL

Shannon Ross
Executive Director
The Community
EMAIL