Pennine Healthcare has successfully onboarded Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) workers through a pioneering partnership with employment charity Tempus Novo. The initiative reflects the company’s wider commitment to social responsibility, inclusive employment and building a sustainable future for UK manufacturing.
Over the past few months, three ROTL workers have joined Pennine Healthcare’s cleanroom operations team in Derby. These structured placements provide employment opportunities to individuals nearing the end of their custodial sentences, supporting their reintegration into society by helping to rebuild confidence, develop valuable workplace skills and establish positive routines ahead of full release.
The pilot scheme has already attracted national attention. The Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) recently highlighted Pennine Healthcare’s efforts in a short film now available on DHSC’s social media platforms. The video captures the positive impact the initiative has had not only on the individuals involved but also on the wider business.
Dan Wilson, Head of Marketing & Communications at Pennine Healthcare, said: “The statistics show that a large percentage of prisoners are likely to re-offend if they don’t have a job, somewhere to live, and a support network upon release. Having a job is vital—not just for the individual, but for the prison service and wider society. Our ROTL workers have been nothing short of brilliant, and it is a testament to the programme and the individuals themselves.”
As one of the UK’s only employee-owned medical device manufacturers, Pennine Healthcare continues to place social purpose at the heart of its operations. The success of the ROTL programme underlines the company’s ambition to be more than a manufacturer—acting as a driver of inclusive growth and a force for good in the community.
The initiative also speaks to broader challenges around skills shortages and employment access in UK manufacturing. By welcoming overlooked talent and creating structured employment pathways, Pennine is demonstrating how businesses can play an active role in reducing reoffending and fostering second chances.
With the pilot phase proving successful, Pennine Healthcare plans to continue developing the programme in partnership with Tempus Novo, further reinforcing its position as a purpose-led organisation shaping the future of the UK healthcare sector.
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