Community employment services

When released into the community, finding employment can be a challenge if offenders do not have the right skills, support and services. Community Employment Services (CES) provide employment interventions and services to offenders under Correctional Service Canada's (CSC's) supervision in the community, including connecting them with other resources. This support increases the likelihood of the offender's safe and successful reintegration.

The support an offender receives does not stop when they get a job. CES is available to provide additional interventions and services to offenders:

• while they are employed
• if they become unemployed again while under supervision

Hiring an offender

CORCAN continually seeks partnerships and new clients to ensure continued skills training opportunities. CORCAN’s CES can help employers fill their employee needs with referrals from the program.

For more information about getting referrals of individuals to work for your company, please contact us by email at ces-sec.gen-nhq@csc-scc.gc.ca.

Role of CORCAN's employment coordinators

To work with offenders in the community, CES includes:

• employment coordinators
• employment services contracts, and
• referrals to other government department services and programs

The employment coordinators:

• connect offenders with community-based employment and training programs and services
• contribute to the creation of pro-social, community support networks for offenders
• support offenders to make them job-ready by identifying services to help them with:
  • resume writing
  • developing job interview skills
  • identifying job search tools, etc.
  • getting necessary identification
• dispel myths concerning the hiring of offenders through communication with employers willing to hire offenders
• increasing awareness and understanding of the untapped pool of skilled offender labour
• provide a resource for employers to address community labour shortages through referrals to job opportunities

Community industries

CORCAN Community Industries provide offenders under community supervision with opportunities through:

• on the job training
• vocational training
• transitional employment

Community Industries locations provide an interim for offenders who are not able to get regular community employment immediately on release or if they become unemployed while under CSC supervision. Furthermore, CORCAN Community Industries present partnership opportunities for clients, employers and Indigenous communities to meet their needs.