Over 350 people employed through LEMIS

30 APRIL 2008

An innovative community-based programme, designed to help those furthest away from the labour market find work, today celebrated its first anniversary.

The Local Employment Intermediary Service (LEMIS) has been piloted in Belfast, Londonderry and Strabane and in its first year has helped in excess of 350 people find a job.

LEMIS provides tailored assistance to help unemployed people, many of whom may have been out of work for some considerable time and in need of personal help and support, to find and hold onto a job. The service is delivered by community-based organisations and is particularly helpful to those who, for whatever reason, are not presently using the statutory job-finding services. LEMIS therefore complements the existing Jobs & Benefits office and JobCentre facilities.

Speaking today, Employment Minister, Sir Reg Empey, praised the success of LEMIS to date and added: “My Department is committed to helping people prepare for, and enter into, the labour market. Through LEMIS we specifically target those individuals in areas of most need.  We work with them to help them find employment which makes a real difference to individuals’ lives.  We will continue to work with community-based organisations on a range of initiatives which are designed to have a positive effect on local communities.”

Sir Reg continued:  “Over the past year the LEMIS providers have demonstrated their ability to engage and help people in their local areas and I wholeheartedly congratulate all of them and their staff for their efforts and achievements.  They support the work of the statutory agencies in addressing the employability needs of those who, for whatever reason, have been outside the labour market for some time and are now keen to find a job. It is vitally important that local partners, including employers, come forward to work with the LEMIS providers to help open up opportunities in local communities.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1.Since starting in April 2007 in the Belfast, Londonderry and Strabane areas, a total of 1,614 participants have come forward seeking the help of the LEMIS providers who often have developed intimate knowledge of local community issues and employment opportunities.

2.Of the 1,614 people who have used the service in its first year, almost a quarter (23%) have found employment.

3.LEMIS is delivered by the following organisations:

  • North Belfast – Ashton Centre & North City Training
  • South Belfast - GEMS
  • East Belfast – Stepping Stones
  • West Belfast – Upper Springfield Development Trust
  • Greater Shankill – Impact
  • Cityside – Derry Youth & Community Trust
  • Waterside - Derry Youth & Community Trust
  • Strabane – Customised Training Services (CTS) & Strabane Community Work Programme (CWP)

4.Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.

5.Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.