Public Employment Services to Ex-Offenders, Parolees and Probationers

How can ex-offenders, parolees and probationers maximize their chances of accessing employment/ learning opportunities?

The Department of Labour has joined hands with the Department of Correctional Services to provide an employability enhancement service to ex-offenders, parolees and probationers.

The Department of Labour services involve the following:

·  Registration as unemployed person on the electronic database of the Department of Labour (ESSA). If you have registered yourself on the DoL database as a workseeker, new learning and job opportunities may come up at any time and you would be kept informed of them as soon as they arise. The Department can assist you with developing a CV as well.

·  Access to career development sessions will advise you where to go with the skills you have obtained in the correctional facility or which you had before your sentence or what type of job/learning opportunities are available.

·  Access to job-hunting sessions during which you will be advised where and how to look for a job, how to develop your CV, prepare for a job interview

·  Access to work ethics sessions which will help you grow accustomed to what is expected in the work situation and to be able to access the work situation with more confidence after release.

·  Access to advice on how to establish a small business and co-operative-you have many skills that can be useful in any business venture.

·  Referrals to skills development opportunities and job opportunities

·  Referrals to other organisations that specialise in assisting ex-offenders, such as Nicro, who helps with advocacy, placement and job preparation as well as re-integration of ex-offenders

All the above services are free of charge. Here is how you can access the services:

Are you an ex-offender? Register in person at your nearest Labour Centre and request to speak to the Career Counsellor, who will put your name on a list for career advice sessions for ex-offenders.

Are you a soon-to-be-released offender? Request your Educator at the correctional facility to help you access a career advice session offered by the Department of Labour.

Are you a parolee/probationer? Access the services at your nearest Community Corrections Centre wherein career advice sessions are offered by the Department of Labour. .

Herewith below find some tips for your job search:-

ü  Be honest about your past on your application form and subsequent interviews. If an employer finds out that you were dishonest about your criminal record, you will be disqualified as a candidate and if you are already employed you may be fired right away. Write “to be dicussed in interview” on your application form-this will give you a better chance to explain yourself.

ü  Make use of the CV, which focuses on all your skills. Give good references and verify them. Remember it will be heavily scrutinized. Obtain a letter of reference from your social worker on your behaviour during your sentence, since this can assist in employers wanting to give you a chance.

ü  You can indicate what types of relevant experience or skills you gained while you were in prison. When you list your job/learning experiences, also consider the ones you did while in prison as well as any part time positions held. Be honest with yourself, and evaluate your skills objectively.

ü  Develop your job hunting skills. Prepare for possible questions about your past. You need to show repentance and should be able to demonstrate that you have changed. Do not be afraid to ask for a second chance.

ü  Offenders need help to build their work ethics and team-work skills through life skills workshops - all a vital part of gaining and retaining employment. Adopt a positive outlook in life-it will shine through!.

ü  Emphasize your achievements and determination to enhance your job skills. You can for instance mention your attendance of night classes or volunteering in a community service work to get some official recognition in a certain career field and appreciation for your contribution. Consider additional education and training.

ü  Learn how to network for referrals, information and advice. Talk to your friends, former colleagues and family about your career interests, skills and expectations. They may be able to refer you to a relevant employer and may serve as character witnesses.

ü  Take the hands of other ex-offenders and start a job club where you help each other find a job or start helping other ex-offenders to re-integrate-people will notice your zeal and give you other opportunities!

ü  Think of starting a small business. Think out of the box and find a niche market for yourself, for example, if you do not have tools, contact a plumber and ask whether you can service a township with plumbing, if they give you tools.

ü  Register with private employment agencies. Seek out for other organizations that offer job placement programs for ex-offenders.

Remember, most employers are reluctant or do not want to employ ex-offenders. You may run into a lot of roadblocks. That should not discourage you at all, but rather keep on trying until doors get open. Employers need to know and understand that employment of ex-offenders contribute immensely in cutting down on the re-offending behaviours and in ensuring a general safer environment.

The Department of Labour will continuously improve its service to you. Use your skills and come up with proposals on the type of help you need. Phone Mr. Ratha Hlalele on 012-309 4734.

Organisations that help Ex-offenders, Parolees and Probationers’ integration into community and labour market

Organisation / Contact Details / Objective
Thomas Ferreira / P.O. Box 1014 , Durban, 4000
(T) 031 311 4271
(email) / Lobbying & advocating for ex-offenders’ reintegration into community and labour market
City of Jo’burg / (T) 011 375 5555 or 011 485 3055
(C) 083 774 1808
Toll free: 10177 / Sponsor job training progammes for ex-offenders
Khulisa / PO Box 412560,Craighall, 2024; 7th Floor Nedbank Gardens, 33 Bath Avenue, Rosebank,
Tel: 011 788 8237
Email:
Website: www. khulisaservices.co..za
www. supportkhulisa.co..za / Promote the status of ex-offenders through its rehabilitation and reintegration
programmes
Uthando SA / PO Box 16491, Vlaeberg, 8018; 9 Princes Road, Harfield Village, Cape town
(T) 021 683 8523
(F) 021 683 8520
(C) 082 496 4889
(email)
or / Help ex-offenders and children through their development and rehabilitation programmes
i-Mediate Development Communications (Durban) / (T) 031 465 2031
(C) 083 294 5031/078 406 8105/
083 414 2165 / Helps ex-offenders to improve their livelihoods and provides innovative development communications, mediation, training and facilitation services.
The Oliver Foundation (Port Elizabeth) / (T) 041 366 1367
(C) 073 994 8722
(email) / Through its Rio Tinto Alcan projects and alliances, it is committed to assist offenders to re-enter society and job market.
Centre for the Study of Violence & Reconciliation / JHB: (T) 011 403 5650
(F) 011339 6785
(email)
Cape Town: (T) 021 447 3661
(F) 021 447 5356
(email) / Offers life-skills programmes in helping ex-offenders to rebuild their resilience and address risk factors associated with reoffending.
NICRO NATIONAL OFFICE
(Cape Town) / 4 Buiteensingel Street, Cape Town; P O Box 10034, Cape Town.
(T) 021 462 0017/ 422 1690
(F) 021 462 2447
(email)
(Website) www.nicro.org.za / Provides comprehensive crime prevention services across South Africa. It is the main provider of diversion services for children in South Africa.
GAUTENG PROVINCE
Braamfontein
Johannesburg
Soweto
Vaal
West Rand
Pretoria
Germiston
Benoni
Nigel
Bronkhorspruit
Ikhaya-Lethemba / 011 403 2953 (F) 011 403 2152
011 403 8166
011 986 1020
016 422 2233
011 660 8103
012 326 8111
011 873 6976
011 420 2236
011 814 7401
011 932 1453
011 339 2070
NORTH WEST
Rustenburg
Winterveld / 014 592 9280/3 (F) 014 592 9273
012 704 0637
MPUMALANGA
Nelspruit / 013 755 3540/3745 (F) 013 755 3541
KWAZULU-NATAL
Durban
Empangeni
Pietermaritzburg
Port Shepstone
Muden / 031 304 2761 (F) 031 304 0826
035 772 1574
033 345 4425
039 682 3944
033 496 1534
EASTERN CAPE
Port Elizabeth
East London
Queenstown
Mthatha / 041 582 2460 (F) 041 582 2253
043 722 4123
045 838 1602
047 531 0598
FREE STATE
Bloemfontein
Kroonstad
Bethlehem
Qwa-qwa / 051 447 6678/0672 (F) 051 447 6694
056 215 1861
058 3035386
058 713 0071
WESTERN CAPE
Cape Town
Atlantis
Beaufort West
George
Mitchellsplein
Women’s Support Centre
Business Service Centre
Worcester / 021 422 1690 (F) 021 424 6879
021 572 7655/9401
023 415 3677
044 874 5450
021 397 6060/1/2
021 422 1690
021 397 6063/4645
023 347 2406/2148
NORTHERN CAPE
Kimberley
De Aar
Hartswater
Okiep
Upington / 053 831 1715 (F) 053 831 6877
053 631 2267
005 474 0060
027 744 1496
054 331 2647
LIMPOPO
Polokwane / 015 297 7538/83 (F) 015 297 7539