Shaping the Future of Plastering through Rehabilitation: British Gypsum's Vision for Skill Development post-prison release

Can the construction industry do more to support the rehabilitation of prisoners across the country?

We’re discussing this question by highlighting the transformative impact of the Site-Ready Skimming Course at HMP Maidstone – designed to equip inmates with vital technical skills to improve their employability upon release while also addressing the construction industry's urgent skills gap.

Why it’s important to address the skills gap now

Filling the skills gap is not an issue to be left until tomorrow, but one that demands immediate action. There are a variety of different factors and time constraints adding to this issue’s urgency.

According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), plasterers remain one of the most in-demand and challenging roles to fill in the construction industry. Furthermore, a survey by the Federation of Master Builders revealed that 34% of small to medium-sized construction companies report project delays and increased costs due to plasterer shortages.

We're now racing against time to preserve crucial skills before they're lost to retirement. The Office for National Statistics reports that one in five UK-born construction workers is over 55, and 32% are over 50.

Are people with a past conviction a viable solution?

The data speaks volumes about the untapped potential in this workforce:

Recent studies show an overwhelming 86% employer satisfaction rate with people who have a previous conviction’s job performance and 92% of companies report enhanced reputation and new contract wins through diverse hiring practices.

Most significantly, employment within one year of release reduces reoffending rates by up to 9%. Yet despite these promising statistics, only 17% of former offenders secure employment within their first year of release – a critical gap we're committed to bridging.

How we’re preparing returning citizens with site-ready skills

Our ‘Site-Ready Skimming’ upskilling course represents more than just technical training – it's a transformative pathway to sustainable employment and integration. The programme delivers comprehensive hands-on experience in surface preparation and plaster application. Participants can earn an industry-recognised Level 1 Health and Safety qualification in preparation for the crucial Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) test, an essential credential for accessing construction sites.

Our pilot at HMP Maidstone has already demonstrated remarkable success, welcoming 26 participants across three intakes. Impressively, 21 of these participants achieved their Level 2 Certificate in Plaster Skimming, representing an exceptional pass rate that marked a successful year. The fourth cohort of eight inmates is already advancing in their training and preparing for assessments shortly.

The feedback from the pilot programme at HMP Maidstone has been overwhelmingly positive. Initiatives such as the Site-Ready Skimming course empower prisoners with the tools they need for successful rehabilitation and reintegration, creating value for both individuals and society.

Armed with these insights from the trial, British Gypsum is now actively expanding the course to other institutions across the UK.

Looking ahead

Our next goals include running four courses per year in HMP Lancaster Farms, which started in 2025 with an Officer undertaking a 6-week skim course at one of our training centres in Northumberland.

Meanwhile, HMP Parc, also in South Wales, will get five courses a year, with the first already underway this year. It will be joined by HMP Liverpool, where we will also run five programmes over 12 months.

This transformative initiative not only fosters more inclusive workplaces but simultaneously tackles the pressing plastering skills shortage in the construction industry.

Building Better

The construction industry is evolving quicker than ever before. At Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, we are committed to supporting industry professionals in navigating these changes. That’s why we’ve launched Building Better, a comprehensive informative hub offering news, articles, videos and more.

To find more information on our approach to sustainability and skills gap solutions, as well as other blogs on the benefits of upskilling and training, explore our resources at www.saint-gobain.co.uk/building-better-hub.