Table Talk

For people coming out of prison, finding work can be a real struggle, but could the food industry hold the answer? There is a labour crisis in the industry at the moment, with a desperate need for a larger workforce. The Government’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee says chronic shortages could lead to further price rises and the UK becoming more dependent on food imports. In fact, it says if nothing is done to address the issue, labour shortages will shrink the sector permanently. The latest data suggests that as many as 80% of ex-prisoners are still unemployed a year after release.    So skilling up for this sector seems like a great idea. But with an industry which is increasingly hi-tech and forward thinking, is it possible to provide the right kind of up-to-date training and teach the right skills inside the prison walls? Listen to the full episode to find out more about two initiatives aimed at helping people into work after prison, how they are trying to overcome some of the unique