Transformative Workforce Academy

Connecting Justice-Involved Jobseekers and Second Chance Employers

Saint Louis University's Transformative Workforce, SLU TWA, connects justice-involved individuals with fair-chance employers around the State of MO. Fair chance employers, also referred to as second-chance, are businesses and organizations that are willing to look past the person’s record to the talent the jobseeker has to offer.  

While TWA is housed on the campus of Saint Louis University, the program’s footprint now expands beyond the St. Louis Area to also incorporate collocated services offered pre-release at five institutions as well as to individuals going home to the metropolitan areas of Kansas City, Springfield, and Columbia.

Expanding fair chance employment is one of the most effective ways to boost economic mobility for justice-involved individuals and build safer, more prosperous communities.

TWA's 2023 Impact Report

How We Work

SLU TWA liasons in the employment process and serves both, the jobseeker and the employer. Our team of employment specialists use our unique curriculum to prepare the program participants and jobseekers with real life applicable skills. We utilize experience and strengths as of the jobseekers as tools to achieve success in gaining employment. Equally, we partner alongside our employers to understand thier culture, background exemptions and expectations. Together we create a flourishing pathway toward a strong workforce.

Our Job Seekers

At TWA, we know it’s hard to find a job when you have a criminal record. The goal of our program is to make it a little bit easier by:

• Meeting with you to prepare a resume and work on interview skills
• Finding out about your skills, experience, and interests so we can match you with the right second chance employer
• Getting you connected to vetted, second chance employers who will not rule you out because of your criminal record
• During our semi-annual job fairs, pairing you with a job coach so you can prepare your two-minute video pitch and be matched with employers who want to take next steps

To access the Transformative Workforce Academy's services, email twa@slu.edu.

Our Employers

We recruit employers from a wide variety of industries and can provide training, creative troubleshooting, and trauma-informed approaches that benefit all employees. Now more than ever, employers across the country are reexamining their hiring policies to engage justice-involved applicants. These companies are seeing firsthand what research has consistently shown: that second chance employment not only benefits justice-involved individuals and their families, but also contributes to the success of businesses and communities.

Second-chance employers have potential to save $3,146 per hire* and discover some of the hardest working and most loyal employees, hiring justice-involved talent has never been a smarter business move. 

Our employer partner process:

1. We meet virtually or in person to hear about your company, your talent needs, and your hiring process.
2. We connect you with SLU TWA candidates for your consideration.
3. We provide support for you and SLU TWA jobseekers throughout the hiring process and beyond.
4. TWA works with employers to improve public safety and reduce recidivism together.