Two organizations, Formation and The Last Mile (TLM), have teamed up to provide coding skills training to incarcerated individuals looking to enter the tech industry post-release. TLM, a nonprofit that teaches coding skills inside prisons, was seeking ways to help former inmates find jobs after their release. Formation, which offers mentorship and job placement services, approached TLM about collaborating, and they launched a pilot program last year with two TLM graduates. The program aims to prepare individuals for careers in tech firms and adapts its training curriculum to the skill level of each participant, helping them increase their earning potential.
Previously incarcerated individuals often face challenges finding employment post-release, which is closely tied to their likelihood of reoffending. Research shows that individuals employed for one year after release have a lower recidivism rate compared to those who remain jobless. TLM has had success in lowering recidivism rates for its graduates to less than 5%, highlighting the importance of providing job opportunities for previously incarcerated individuals. By partnering with Formation, TLM aims to further support its graduates in finding jobs in the tech industry.
Formation’s platform was developed by founder and CEO Sophie Novati, who noticed a gap in the industry where individuals from non-traditional backgrounds struggled to meet hiring standards. The platform offers personalized training and mentorship to help individuals develop the necessary skills to secure employment in the tech sector. Through Formation’s program, participants can increase their earning potential by over $100,000 on average. The platform adapts the training curriculum based on each individual’s needs and abilities, offering a tailored approach to career development.
TLM offers a range of services to support formerly incarcerated individuals in their re-entry process. In addition to coding training, the nonprofit provides life skills coaching, continuing education, housing assistance, mental health services referrals, and legal support. TLM aims to support individuals through the job search process and help them secure placements in tech firms or other companies in need of computer skills. The organization has a strong track record of supporting individuals post-release and ensuring their successful reintegration into society.
The collaboration between Formation and TLM is based on the shared goal of diversifying the tech industry’s workforce and providing opportunities to individuals who may face barriers to employment. By combining TLM’s coding training expertise with Formation’s job placement services, the partnership aims to empower previously incarcerated individuals to secure jobs in the tech industry. The pilot program launched last year is a step towards expanding this initiative and providing more individuals with the skills and support they need to succeed in their careers.
Overall, the partnership between Formation and TLM represents a unique approach to addressing reentry challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals. By providing coding training, mentorship, and job placement services, the organizations are working to support individuals in finding sustainable employment opportunities in the tech industry. Through personalized training and ongoing support, the program aims to not only help individuals secure jobs but also to reduce recidivism rates and support their successful reintegration into society.
