CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) has partnered with Breakthrough, a social enterprise which provides a pre-apprenticeship programme for prison leavers and those at risk of entering the criminal justice system.
The Breakthrough eight week programme is built to equip their associates to succeed in a long term stable career within technology and digital industries. As part of the curriculum Breakthrough looks for industry experts to deliver some of the sessions. CGI played an important role with their recent cohort by hosting a skills day in the firm's Fenchurch Street office. The day included mock interviews, presentation skills and public speaking to make sure the associates are as prepared as possible to succeed in the workplace.
Prison leavers who are employed are half as likely to reoffend as their unemployed peers but unfortunately only 16% of leavers are employed within 12-months of release. Breakthrough puts a focus on employment as a key driver for success, they work to create a support springboard also providing a coach with lived experience and a business mentor to keep them focused on the next step of their career.
Michael Herron, Senior Vice President for Central Government at CGI says “The team has loved working with Breakthrough on their latest community pre-apprenticeship programme. Being able to share knowledge and offer support to some incredibly talented associates has been a rewarding experience for everyone involved. Not only has it provided valuable insight to the challenges the associates face when looking for employment, but it has increased our drive to support Breakthrough’s mission and help to counter the challenges faced by prison leavers.”
Dee Norval, Founder of Breakthrough says “It has been a pleasure to work with CGI during our latest community pre-apprenticeship programme. They have provided invaluable support to the programme and played an integral part in helping our brilliant associates reach their full potential as they prepare for full-time employment. 81% of businesses who employ a prison leaver say it has helped their business, and we hope to see that number increase with more organisations like CGI working with us.”
CGI is committed to being an inclusive employer and, like Breakthrough, it believes in the value of embedding a new, diverse pool of talent into the UK’s workforce, to bring lasting positive change to both business and society.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 90,250 consultants and professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2022 reported revenue is $12.87 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.
