FORMER criminals will be helped to get jobs by a new employers' conference in Oxford.

City charity Aspire Oxford hopes to help thousands of ex-offenders and disadvantaged youngsters get work.

The charity has invited speakers from national companies including Timpson, Land Securities and Pret a Manger to the April 26 event, the first of its kind in Oxfordshire.

John Lewis, the flagship store for the new Westgate Centre in Oxford, has already signed up.

Aspire chief operation officer Paul Roberts said: "This conference is about giving employers the confidence to recruit more flexibly, and showcasing the benefits of giving disadvantaged people a chance in the world of work.

"Thousands of local people in Oxfordshire want to work and could do so, given the right support.

"Employers be able to fill their job vacancies and they will gain people who are dedicated, hard-working and stay in the job for longer.

"This is an exciting opportunity for the county's business community to set an example for others in promoting socially responsible recruitment."

The Unlocking Potential For Oxfordshire conference at Unipart in Cowley will encourage employers to recruit more 'flexibly'.

Timpson national recruitment manager Darren Burns is booked as keynote speaker while staff from Pret a Manger and Land Securities will talk about their own experiences of successfully recruiting 'disadvantaged' staff.

The conference also includes a networking lunch and those attending will be given a free guide on how to get started with flexible recruitment.

Established in 2001, Aspire Oxford runs its own social businesses offering facilities management services to local councils, colleges and private customers.

The charity creates placements and employment opportunities for local people with troubled backgrounds who struggle to get a job.

The charity, which last year won the Oxford Times Charity and Community Award category in the Oxfordshire Business Awards, is based at a former primary school building in Osney Lane and now has 29 staff.

While Oxfordshire is experiencing strong economic growth, with thousands of new jobs set to be created in coming years, recruitment can be a major challenge, especially with the cost of living so high in the city.

The conference is timed to promote Aspire Oxford's project Through the Gate project which supports ex-offenders into employment.

The conference is being supported by the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, JobCentrePlus, and key members of the Responsible Business Group Reciprocate, including Allen Associates and Unipart.

For more information and to book a place please call 01865 204450 or email rosa@aspireoxford.co.uk