The latest Made in Yorkshire Online Industry Meetup featured an insightful presentation from Simon Price, Chairman at Power Plastics, who shared his company’s unique approach to workforce challenges. His talk was followed by an engaging virtual roundtable diving deeper into the opportunities that lie in partnering with local prisons. Present for the discussion were:
Sam Sleight and Curtis Stennett from Made in Yorkshire
Simon Price, Chairman at Power Plastics
Dan Ireland, Commercial Director at Garthwest
Phil Stanley, Managing Director at TWP
Luke Appleby, Managing Director at Equilibrium Risk
Luke Allsopp, Commercial Manager at Frederick Cooper
Rebecca Deeley, Business Development Manager at Swiss Steel Group.
The group delved into practical solutions for addressing recruitment struggles and exploring the benefits of engaging with prison workforce programmes.
Overcoming Workforce Challenges Through Innovation
Simon began by outlining the pressing workforce challenges that Power Plastics has faced over the years. The company, which operates across multiple sites in Thirsk, Thornaby, and Bradford, initially struggled to recruit sufficient staff to meet fluctuating production demands. With a highly variable workload—ranging from small fumigation chambers to large fabricated structures for aircraft carriers—flexibility in staffing became a critical business need.
Recognising the limitations of traditional recruitment methods, Simon and his team explored alternative solutions, including working with recruitment agencies in Teesside that provided migrant labour. However, this approach came with its own set of challenges, including inconsistencies in workforce availability.
Partnering with Prisons for a Sustainable Workforce
Power Plastics found a viable solution by partnering with HMP Kirk Levington Grange in Teesside, a facility that runs rehabilitation programmes to help prisoners transition into the workforce. Through this initiative, Power Plastics was able to access a flexible labour pool, allowing them to scale up and down as needed. This innovative model not only addressed their workforce needs but also played a role in rehabilitating individuals by providing meaningful employment opportunities.
Simon shared compelling success stories, including one former inmate who proactively sought employment with Power Plastics upon his release. After working at the Thirsk facility for a few years, he relocated to the Bradford site to be closer to his family, demonstrating the programme’s long-term impact on both individuals and the business.
Encouraging other manufacturers to explore similar partnerships, Simon highlighted the practical benefits of working with prisons, including access to skilled and semi-skilled labour, workforce stability, and the opportunity to make a positive societal impact.
Roundtable Discussion: Broadening the Conversation
After Simon's talk, the discussion group explored workforce challenges in more depth, specifically focusing on the feasibility of prison workforce programmes across different industries. Attendees from various manufacturing sectors, including plastics, steel, security, packaging, and powder coating, shared their insights on recruitment difficulties and potential solutions.
One key theme was the persistent skills gap, particularly for manual labour roles. Several participants noted that while apprenticeships remain an important pipeline for talent, current government schemes do not always align with the needs of SMEs. Phil Stanley of TWP voiced concerns about the lack of commitment from apprentices, with companies investing in training only to see employees leave soon after completion.
The conversation then shifted to the practicalities of hiring from prison work programmes. Attendees discussed common concerns such as potential stigma, internal team dynamics, and customer perceptions. Luke Allsopp of Frederick Cooper was particularly interested in the logistics of implementing such a scheme, while Luke Appleby shared insights from his experience in the military, where individuals with challenging pasts often proved to be some of the most reliable workers.
Many were reassured by Simon’s experience, where clients have viewed the initiative positively, recognising its social responsibility element. Challenges were also acknowledged, with Simon noting that prison workers could sometimes be unavailable at short notice due to home leave approvals, requiring operational flexibility. However, he emphasised that the benefits far outweighed the drawbacks, particularly in an era where recruitment remains one of manufacturing’s biggest hurdles.
A Call to Action for Manufacturers
As the discussion wrapped up, several participants expressed interest in exploring prison workforce initiatives for their own companies. Questions centred around how to initiate partnerships with local prisons and what due diligence should be undertaken when selecting candidates.
Simon advised businesses to take a structured approach—conducting thorough interviews, working with charities like Tempus Novo that specialise in prisoner rehabilitation, and branding internal programmes to ensure smooth integration within the existing workforce. He also stressed that companies should approach such programmes with both business objectives and social impact in mind.
Looking Ahead
The January Online Industry Meetup provided an eye-opening look at workforce innovation and alternative recruitment strategies. As manufacturers continue to navigate a challenging labour market, initiatives like prison workforce partnerships offer a compelling, socially responsible solution. With more companies showing interest in exploring this model, Made in Yorkshire members may soon see a shift in how the industry approaches hiring and skills development.
For those eager to learn more, Simon encouraged attendees to connect with him and explore further collaboration opportunities.
