Three major UK transport companies have been named as the first industry partners of the recently launched Rebuilding Futures Alliance (RFA), a not-for-profit initiative that is helping people with past convictions build lasting careers in the transport sector.
Go-Ahead Group joins Merseyrail and Angel Trains in being the first three companies to partner with RFA.
The announcement comes after the alliance secured the support of actors Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters, who serve as the charity’s ambassadors, earlier this year.
Miguel Parras, Group Chief Executive, Go-Ahead Group (pictured), says: “Everyone should have the chance to build a meaningful and rewarding career. By partnering with RFA we hope we can offer people who deserve a second chance the sense of purpose and satisfaction that working at Go-Ahead provides.”
Spearheading the initiative is Chris Leech MBE, who says the goal is to address skills shortages in the sector while reducing reoffending and easing pressure on the UK prison system. To do so, it has begun work to bring over 100 past conviction charities together, and directly with transport employers.
Chris says: “We are blown away to have the support of these three major players in the bus and rail sectors. It’s truly humbling for RFA to have their backing and we can’t wait to get started working together to change lives, reduce reoffending and boost the economy.”
RFA reveals that government statistics show the average cost to keep a prisoner in jail in 2022-23 was £51,108. Reoffending costs the UK £18.1 billion annually. It adds that reoffending rates are among the highest in the western world. One in two people reoffend within 12 months of release, compared to one in five if they secure a job with purpose.
