The Former Offender Initiative provides resources to job seekers with criminal records to help them overcome the barriers toward employment created by a criminal record.

How It Works

Each NCWorks Career Center provides services to former offenders. Career center staff ensure job seekers with a criminal record have the necessary resources to conduct an effective job search.

In addition to the services provided to all job seekers, former offenders have access to the following services:

• Help with writing resumes and a “letter of explanation” detailing the reasons for their criminal record and/or incarceration.
• Knowledge about employer’s policies concerning hiring former offenders.
• Workshops geared toward former offenders.
• Referrals to community organizations that assist former offenders.
• Provide information on Federal Bonding and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.

Career centers also work with federal, state, and local providers of reentry services, including community- and faith-based organizations, and vocational rehabilitation centers.

In addition to the economic value of obtaining employment, a former offender who finds a job is three times less likely to return to incarceration than those who do not obtain employment.