Excerpt from Broadband Breakfast, published April 14, 2025
by Dave Abel, Teresa Hodge
For over 77 million Americans with criminal records, the post-incarceration journey is often fraught with employment barriers, hindering successful reentry and denying them the stability and social connections essential for rebuilding their lives.
Second Chance Month serves as a critical reminder of our collective responsibility to address this challenge, highlighting the transformative power of workforce development tools in securing sustainable employment for these individuals.
In an evolving job market that increasingly values skills over traditional credentials, we have a unique opportunity to empower returning citizens with in-demand competencies. As industries grapple with labor shortages and recognize the predictive power of skills-based hiring, we must advocate for a shift away from outdated background checks and toward a skills-first approach.