After weeks of anticipation at Offploy HQ, we’re delighted to announce that the team has been shortlisted for the ‘People and Purpose’ prize at the prestigious Personnel Today Awards.
The judging panel was impressed with our community-focused approach – one which is unique in that it concentrates equally on the employer’s needs as well as people leaving prison as candidates for vacancies.
Now in its 23rd year, the Personnel Today awards are a true marker of success in our industry and – newly-introduced for 2021 – the ‘People and Purpose’ category recognises organisations that put meaning and purposeful work at the centre of their strategy. As you can imagine, we’re delighted to have made the shortlist.
Jacob Hill, Offploy’s founder, said: “Firstly, thank you to everyone that has been a part of the Offploy journey so far – you’ve all played your role in helping to create the narrative which enabled us to be shortlisted.
“We know that people with convictions have so much to offer in terms of skills, knowledge, and experience – and much to gain from finding lasting work as part of a successful and productive new life. But the barriers to employment for even the most qualified candidates are often insurmountable."
“Employers – often struggling to recruit from their usual talent pools – simply don’t know how to handle an application from someone with an unspent conviction and pass over to the next one. Offploy’s mission is to raise awareness of the opportunities among an often-untapped proportion of society, and hopefully this is another step in the right direction.”
With a thorough entry process – requiring testimony from both employers and candidates – along with details of how our work is helping to reduce reoffending and make society safer, we were certainly put through our paces in compiling our initial submission.
Thankfully, our promising figures, fascinating backstory, and ambitious plans, we’ve been named as one of five finalists in our category – alongside Biffa, Financial Services Compensation Scheme, New Street Consulting Group, and Now Teach.
Speaking about this year’s entries and shortlist, Personnel Today editor Rob Moss also said:
“The past year has been a huge challenge for HR and we’ve been overwhelmed by the sense of creativity and resilience that we’ve seen in this year’s entries. A huge congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted and we look forward to celebrating your hard work and innovation in November!”
All being well, the ceremony itself will take place at the prestigious Grosvenor House in London on 16 November 2021 – and we’re already eagerly awaiting the announcement of the winners…
Congratulations to all others that have been shortlisted – we’ll see you on the night!