For most people coming out of prison, a criminal conviction makes employers most unwilling to hire them.
It has become increasingly difficult for ex-offenders to find work. In the current market, employers can afford to be highly selective, with one exception—skilled machinists. The tight labor market for skilled machinists is accomplishing what years of pleas and programs from penal experts and social scientists failed to do: It is persuading America’s manufacturers to hire ex-convicts.
Representatives from Bay Area manufacturer Conhagen, Inc of California, recently visited the Vocational Machine Shop program (VMS) at San Quentin State Prison. Shop instructor Richard Saenz invited them to speak about available employment opportunities.
“Don’t let anyone tell you that there isn’t a dire need for experienced or qualified machinists,” stated Vice President and General Manager Len Cucciare. “Even in this down economy, if you’ve got the skills, you won’t find many problems getting a job as a machinist.”
That comment got the students rapt attention. “I’m impressed by the environment of your shop. It is well equipped and extremely clean. It’s even better equipped than us!”
Student John Hill asked, “Would your company be interested in hiring any of us?” Cucciare replied, “When we received Mr. Saenz’ survey letter, my first inclination was to ignore it. But something kept tugging at me to read it, and now that we’ve had a chance to visit with you, I’m glad I did. I would have no problem interviewing any of you for consideration of employment.”
Another question included salary range. “We are a non-union shop. Depending on your experience, our wages range from $18 to $25 an hour,” Cucciare stated.
Conhagen operates a 21,000-square-foot repair shop in a Benicia Industrial Park, near San Francisco. The facility is capable of pump repair, turbine repair, gearbox and reciprocating equipment repair. It also has an extensive field and manufacturing services.
