Nearly 30% of US adults of working age have a criminal record. That number is shockingly high. And while almost one out of three adults have been convicted of a crime, getting a job with a criminal record can be near impossible. Cascade engineering, a manufacturing company in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is leading what is called the 30-2-2 initiative. The 30-2-2 initiative is called so because it is a group of 30 companies who will hire two people with criminal records, and track them for two years to see if there is a case to be made to hire former criminals. Cascade already has dozens of ex-cons on payroll and is hoping the 30-2-2 initiative will convince other companies to follow their lead.
Manufacturing company looks to hire ex-cons
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