The transport industry has long faced a critical challenge, with persistent skills shortages at all levels of the business. At the same time, thousands of individuals with past convictions remain overlooked, despite being ready, willing, and capable of contributing to the workforce.
At Rebuilding Futures Alliance (RFA), we saw this not just as a problem but as a powerful opportunity. An opportunity to help the industry fill crucial gaps, while supporting individuals in rebuilding their lives. From the beginning, we have been clear that we are not here to run a feel-good project. Our goal is to deliver real, measurable impact for both employers and the people we support.
That is why RFA partnered with Genius, a boutique people-marketing agency that more than lives up to its name. Genius specialises in delivering bold, tech-driven recruitment and talent solutions for organisations around the globe, and together, we have created a recruitment tracking system designed to transform inclusive hiring across the transport sector.
A smarter way to recruit
Our new Automatic Tracking System (ATS) is purpose-built to support candidates at every stage of the recruitment process. It enables individuals to register in a central Talent Bank and apply for jobs tailored to their skills. Employers can post vacancies and manage applications through a streamlined, customisable platform.
The system tracks candidate progress and identifies key drop-off points and provides them with the right support they need. This enables RFA and partners to step in with targeted interventions that keep individuals engaged and on track.
For HR teams, the system offers tailored recruitment journeys that align with their existing processes. Trusted by organisations like National Express, Pizza Express, and Matalan, it delivers a seamless, effective experience that is easy to adopt and scalable across any business.
Real benefits for everyone
For candidates, the system provides a transparent, supportive path to employment often for the first time. With structured support and real job opportunities, it offers a second chance grounded in fairness and possibility.
Employers benefit from access to a diverse, pre-screened talent pool and a recruitment system that reflects their commitment to social value and equity. It is not just a better way to recruit it is a smarter, more responsible one.
Insight that can drives change
One of the system’s most powerful features is its data capability. Integrated with Loop, the rail industry’s leading social value measurement tool, it generates dashboards that track Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) impact in real time. This allows organisations to measure and report on their progress and shape future HR and procurement strategies based on real evidence. Crucially, these rich data insights will also be shared with key Government departments to inform and influence policy development, ensuring that the learnings from inclusive recruitment practices contribute to broader reform and long-term improvements in ED&I across the transport sector and beyond.
Richard the founder of Clean State Solutions and one of our charity partners told us: “This system is an absolute game changer, not just for us as a charity, but for every employer who opens their doors to second chances. This enables us to quantify success at the individual level and clearly demonstrate the social impact being made. It is not just changing the way we think about recruitment it is transforming lives.”
The future
The transport industry is evolving, and it must become more inclusive, innovative, and socially conscious. RFA’s tracking system is a vital step forward. By putting people and purpose at the centre of recruitment, we can fill workforce gaps, deliver social impact, and change lives.
This is not just our vision. It is our commitment.
