LEMIS takes off in the North West
10 May 2007
Jobseekers in the North West are to benefit from a new community based employment service which was launched today.
LEMIS (Local Employment Intermediary Service) is currently available in Londonderry, Strabane and Belfast, all areas with recognised high levels of unemployment and low employment.
Whilst on a visit to the North West, Minister for Employment and Learning Sir Reg Empey met with the new providers of the service and local stakeholders, including community representatives, to launch LEMIS.
The Minister said: “I am delighted to get this opportunity to meet with people who are clearly passionate about offering their communities locally-based job mentoring services of the highest quality. These services are designed to bring about real jobs for local people and it is important that this type of targeted support works closely with, and complements, the statutory Employment Services available in Foyle and Lisnagelvin. I know that such practical partnerships are being forged with the sole purpose of ensuring that the best possible services are available to the public.”
Following a tendering exercise, Derry Youth and Community Workshop won the contract to operate LEMIS at two locations in Londonderry. In Strabane, the local community work programme, in conjunction with Customised Training Services, is jointly offering the service.
The Minister concluded: “In announcing the new LEMIS initiative, I would like to congratulate all who won contracts to deliver and help manage this much needed community based facility.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The new community-based service announced by the Minister today is called LEMIS (Local Employment Intermediary Service).
2.The local Strategic Partnerships in Londonderry and Strabane are helping the Department for Employment and Learning monitor and oversee the programme and advising the department on LEMIS performance generally.
3.Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.