Mr Stu Holmes

Program Lead WISE UP (Ex Offenders) / Founder (Advocacy for Those Exiting Jail)
WISE Employment / Green Collar
Australia

As founder of The Greeen Collar over two years ago I have a combination of Lived Experience (Jail, mental health, addiction, loss of access to my children) and 20 years Recruitment and more recently AOD Restorative Justice company Director. Now lead Program Facilitator and Designer of WISE UP – a program to assist the “EXOF” (Ex-Offender) cohort WISE Employmen has as one of their key cohorts as their contract with Victorian Government (and Workforce Australia).
As company Director for one of Australia’s leading recruitment agencies, SMAART Recruitment, from 2005-2015 life was booming. But constant alcohol misuse led to a marriage a break down, resulting in poor choices, grief, drug addiction and other mental health issues as a result of limited child access and a career going down the drain.
Ultimately, in 2019 I committed and Armed Robbery and spent 9 months in jail. It was then die, or live. Choosing to live The Green Collar was born (in Fulham Correctional Centre). As a contrast to Blue Collar (Trades and Working class traditional work), or White Collar (corporate) The Green Collar was our uniform and was designed as a Prison Job to assist other inmates with resume, interview skills and confidence upon exiting.
Now, 4 years on, clean and sober and appearing on many Podcasts and speaking appearances Stu is recognised by the Talent community and ex-offender advocacy space as someone with a voice. WISE Employment has given the Green Collar and Stu a platform for some great work.