11 June 2026
Robertson builds pathways to employment at HMP Addiewell
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Social impact managers (centre): Aimee Gilchrist (Robertson Construction Central East), Kelly Harkness (Robertson Construction Central West), and Jamie Hughes (Robertson Partnership Homes), with Jade Devaney (far right) and Tracy Fyfe (far left) from the Sodexo employability team.
Access to employment can play an important role in reducing reoffending and supporting successful rehabilitation. At HMP Addiewell near Edinburgh, Robertson Group has been working with prison operator Sodexo to help individuals build confidence, develop workplace skills and prepare for employment opportunities following release.
Already delivered in schools and communities across the UK, the Ideal Candidate Programme has been adapted for a prison environment, helping participants develop transferable skills and prepare for the world of work.
Following a successful pilot at HMP Addiewell in November 2025 involving five participants, Robertson Group social impact teams delivered the programme to a second cohort in early 2026, helping build confidence and develop practical skills to support participants into work after release.
The programme offers an SCQF Level 3 and 4 Certificate in Employability Skills. Participants complete a series of sessions covering key areas such as employer expectations, CV writing, social media awareness and interview preparation.
Delivered over seven sessions, the first cohort saw five participants successfully achieve their qualification, supported by more than 100 hours of input from Robertson teams.
Participants demonstrated improvements in confidence, engagement and communication skills, with feedback reflecting the programme’s impact. One participant said they would “highly recommend to others,” while another praised the sessions as “brilliant and very helpful.”
Building on this success, the second cohort saw the programme further enhanced with a stronger focus on tailored employability pathways. Nine participants took part in team-building sessions and practical activities designed to build confidence and workplace readiness.
The programme was also developed with participation from Robertson supply chain partners, including Kilmac, GAP and Speedy Hire. This involved a commitment to interviewing participants on release and giving guidance around potential employment opportunities, helping to strengthen links between participants and prospective employers.
important steps toward their future.
We are now exploring how the programme can continue to evolve and expand, supporting more individuals and reaching new locations.
Find out more about our Ideal Candidate Programme
The Ideal Candidate Programme reached a significant milestone last year, supporting its 1,000th participant since launching in 2017. Through the continued growth of the initiative, Robertson is helping to break down barriers to employment, support rehabilitation and create pathways into work, contributing to stronger and more inclusive communities.
