Central North Correctional Centre (CNCC) is pleased to announce a new partnership focused on supporting rehabilitation and creating employment opportunities for individuals preparing to return to the community.
CNCC has partnered with Community Builders, a not-for-profit, construction-based social enterprise operating across Northern and Central Ontario. The organization works to reduce barriers to employment for justice-involved individuals while helping address Ontario’s growing need for skilled trades workers.
Although the partnership is still in its early stages, the initiative reflects CNCC’s ongoing commitment to exploring meaningful, skills-based programming that supports successful reintegration and helps reduce recidivism.
Creating Opportunities Through Skills and Employment
The initiative is designed to provide individuals with practical experience and exposure to employment opportunities following release from custody.
Community Builders provides selected participants with a 12-week paid pre-employment training program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on construction experience. The program is intended to help participants develop practical workplace skills, gain industry exposure, and build confidence in a structured and supportive environment.
Throughout the program, participants are evaluated on reliability, skill development, and job readiness. Where opportunities exist, some individuals may transition into employment with Community Builders or be connected with other employers supportive of inclusive hiring practices.
Supporting Reintegration Beyond Employment
CNCC recognizes that successful reintegration involves more than employment alone. Community Builders supports participants in addressing barriers to employment by helping connect them with community-based resources such as housing supports, food security services, and other social supports that promote stability during reintegration.
Industry Engagement and Program Development
As part of the partnership, representatives from Community Builders, including Founder Brandon Day, plan to conduct on-site visits at CNCC to speak with inmate workers about opportunities in the skilled trades.
“At Community Builders, we believe a person’s past should not define their future. Through our Trades Training Program, we provide people with criminal records the opportunity to gain skills, meaningful employment, and a fresh start. Every job created is an investment in a stronger person, a stronger family, and a stronger community. Choosing jobs over jails changes lives, saves taxpayers money, and builds healthier, safer communities for everyone.”
Brandon Day, Founder & CEO, Community Builders
These discussions will provide insight into workplace expectations, career pathways, accountability, and the importance of developing strong work habits.
The initiative will initially focus on inmate workers within the CNCC carpentry shop, where existing institutional programming aligns well with Community Builders’ construction-based training model. As the partnership develops, additional opportunities may be explored.
Supporting SOLGEN Priorities
This partnership aligns with SOLGEN’s ongoing focus on:
- Enhancing rehabilitation and skills development
- Supporting successful community reintegration
- Encouraging pathways to meaningful employment
- Supporting initiatives aimed at reducing recidivism
Looking Ahead
CNCC looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with Community Builders as the partnership develops. Initiatives like this reflect CNCC’s commitment to building practical programming that supports growth, accountability, and opportunities for individuals preparing to return to the community.
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Community Builders is a proud member of the Fair Chances Coalition.
The Fair Chances Coalition is a group of cross-sector organizations, public and private, committed to advancing equity and opportunity for all Canadians. Funded by the Metcalf Foundation, the Coalition was established by the John Howard Society of Ontario in 2021 in partnership with the City of Toronto and Prince’s Trust Canada. The Coalition is actively seeking Canadian organizations to share its commitment and begin the journey toward enacting Fair Chance Hiring practices within their organizations. |
