Previous Labour Market Partnership Projects (Now Closed)

Help, advice or support with skills development, training options or job opportunities

Ards and North Down Labour Market Partnership hosted a Jobs, Support and Training Fair in Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex on the 6th November 10am-2pm.

Exhibiting at the jobs fair were:

• Ards and North Down Borough Council - Go Succeed and LMP officers
• Mind Mill
• Usel
• DfC Jobs and Benefits Office
• People 1st
• MPA Recruitment
• Prince's Trust
• SERC
• Caremark
• Domestic Care / Optimum Care
• NOW Group
• Army Careers Department
• Home Start
• Specialisterne
• Action Mental Health
• Royal Irish Regiment
• Narra Care Services
• Include Youth
• Old Inn/ Galgorm Group
• Dunluce Healthcare
• G4S
• Department for the Economy - Careers Services
• Balloo Hire
• Mash Direct
• Industrial Temps
• Riverpark Training
• SE Trust
• Stepping Stones
• Rutledge
• Bricks for Kids (Comber)
• Mencap
• Education Authority

For more information about the event click here.

12 September | Space, Bangor | 8.45am-12.30pm with networking opportunities.

Hosted by Ards and North Down Labour Market Partnership.

Come join us for a light breakfast and hear directly from various support service providers about the opportunities available for upskilling and reskilling your employees and the support available for your business. Speakers include the Ards and North Down Labour Market Partnership, South Eastern Regional College (SERC), Rutledge Training, Jobs and Benefits Office (JBO), Go Succeed, College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Invest Northern Ireland, The NOW Group and Council’s new Multiply Programme. 

Don’t miss this one stop opportunity to find out what support and assistance are available for your employees and your business.

Ards and North Down Labour Market Partnership and Bring I.T. On, are delighted to welcome you Tech for the Future at South Eastern Regional College, SPACE Campus, Castle Park Road, Bangor on Friday 8 March 2024, 9.30am - 1pm.

This event will focus on the different career pathways into IT . Join us to hear from our guest speakers, followed by an opportunity to engage with employers from across the IT and Tech sector as well as representatives from Northern Ireland's Further Education Colleges.

Our guest speakers will discuss how IT shapes our daily lives, the benefits of working in IT and the different pathways to begin a career in IT, no matter what your educational background.

Bring I.T. On is a funded programme from Department for the Economy.

More information can be found by visiting the Bring IT On website.

Do you need help, advice or support with your career or employment options?

Join us at our Careers Convention on Wednesday 7th February from 10am-3pm based in Bangor Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex.

• On hand will be support agencies who can help with career guidance and development, along with interview skills techniques.
• Complete a survey and find out what sector best suits your skills and interests.
• Have an idea and looking to start your own business, our experts will be in attendance to assist.
• Find out more information about Apprenticeship opportunities in the Borough.
• Do you have qualifications obtained out of the UK and need advice on converting them?
• Also in attendance will be local companies with jobs available representing the following sectors:

Care, Hospitality, Food Manufacturing, Recruitment and Customer Support Services  

Help with travel costs is available for those in receipt of benefits, please contact your local Jobs and Benefits Office

Free to attend, no need to book just join us on the day- however should you have any questions about the event please contact the Labour Market Partnership Team on 0300 013 3333 Ext 40958 or email: lmp@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Below is a list of companies attending the Careers Convention (subject to change):

• DfE - Career Services
• SERC
• Mindmill
• Usel
• Job and Benefit's Offices
• People 1st
• Kevin O'Reilly Interview Skills Coach
• Denroy
• The Old Inn
• Caremark
• ANDBC Go Succeed
• Mash Direct
• Rutledge Group
• First Choice
• McKinty Associates Ltd
• RNIB
• Mango
• Bryson Energy
• Mount Charles
• MPA Recruitment
• Praxis Care
• Translink
• Princes Trust
• Optimum Care
• NOW Group
• Home Start
• Essential Home Care Services
• Workplus
• Specialisterne

Fancy finding out a bit more about yourself and seeing how the things you’re interested in could direct your career journey?

Follow the link below to discover your ideal career path:

https://mindmill.careermaps.co.uk

Disability Employment and Support Day-

Wednesday 28 February 9.30am- 1pm Signal Centre, Balloo Road, Bangor, BT19 7PD

Ards and North Down Labour Market Partnership is hosting a Disability Employment and Support Day on 28 February at the Signal Centre. Exhibitors who offer programmes and support packages will be on hand to assist you, whether it is just advice you need or training for staff and colleagues come along and get the help and assistance you need.

Employers: 9.30am - 11am

Do you employ someone with a disability or a neurodiverse condition? Do you want to know what programmes and support packages are available, in the Borough, for you as an employer when you employ someone with a disability or a neurodiverse condition?

Attendees: 11am - 1pm

Do you self-identify as having a disability or a neurodiverse condition? Are you a parent, carer, or guardian of someone with a disability or neurodiverse condition? Come along on 28 February at the Signal Centre. Get advice about employment options, find out what programmes and support packages are available along with advice on benefits and assistance. No need to register, pop in at a time that suits.

If you have any queries, please email LMP@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.

Below is a list of companies attended the Disability Employment and Support day:

• Usel
• Disability Action
• JBOs
• NOW Group
• Stepping Stones
• Be Kind Project
• Orchardville
• Carers NI/SEHSCT
• DfC Make the Call
• Adapt NI
• Action Mental Health
• Specialisterne

*This scheme is now closed to applications*

The aim of Ards and North Down Labour Market Partnership is to help improve employability outcomes and labour market conditions locally. The Labour Market Partnership is offering a Small Grant Scheme to local businesses in the Ards and North Down Council area to support industry-related training.      
 
The scheme is offering a small grant of up to a maximum of £500 per employee for a maximum of 4 employees per business, to businesses based in Ards and North Down Borough who are interested in providing a workplace training initiative for their employees.  The small grant scheme is available for businesses that employ one or more employee(s) excluding the business owner, with the aim of improving employment opportunities by offering entry level positions or upskilling opportunities as a result of training.  This programme is not available to the public sector.

Why should you take part?

• Obtain training for your staff/employees at no cost or lower cost* to your business.
• Offer training opportunities to your staff and employees to upskill and enhance their employability.
• Provide Industry Specific Training at a time and date that suits your business.
• Support the growth of your business by investing in your staff.
• Provide training for your staff to progress in their career and therefore create entry level positions.

*Subject to the terms and conditions of this initiative i.e. £500 per employee for a maximum of 4 employees per business. 

Criteria for funding – Please read Carefully

Grants will only be offered on a first come, first served basis to companies who meet the criteria with preference given to those businesses that have not previously been in receipt of a grant through the Industry Related Training Bursary Small Grant Scheme. Businesses should employ one or more employee and will apply on behalf of employees. Owners cannot avail of the training grants.

1. Training should be easily obtained by the individual or employer on receipt of a letter of offer for funding.
2. Applicants shall agree to source a local provider from the Ards and North Down Borough Council area. Regional charitable providers can also be used.  Should provision not be available in the Ards and North Down area a suitable provider could be sourced from outside the borough council area.
3. Two like for like quotes must be provided for each training initiative.  If a local provider cannot be sourced, please provide quotes from companies outside of the borough. Emails from training providers and screen shots from relevant training providers' websites are acceptable and should be provided when submitting your application. Failure to provide the required number of quotes will result in the application being rejected.
4. Evidence of quotes should be sent to lmp@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk at the time of submitting your application. Please include business name in the subject of the email.
5. Applicants shall agree to complete an evaluation form on successful completion of scheme and be prepared to report on programme outcomes 6 months post completion.
6. Applicants must submit receipts for payment on completion of the initiative via a Grant Claim Form. Payments will be made retrospectively.
7. Participants must be employed in the Ards and North Down Borough Council area.
8. Applicants must provide full details of proposed initiative and include ALL costs.
9. Applicants must include VAT registration details.  Payments to those who are VAT registered will be made exclusive of VAT, if not VAT registered payments will be made inclusive of VAT.
10. One Application Form may be made per business / owner / employer including subsidiaries of the business and can propose more than one employee but not more than 4.
11. The grants are up to £500 per person to cover and/or contribute to the cost of training. Training must include an industry recognised certification or qualification. Or grant amounts are up to £200 per employee to contribute to the costs of a recognised certification E.g. First Aid, CSR Card, Forklift licence, Hygiene Certificates. Grants are capped at four employees per employer (maximum amount of £2,000) .
12. If you have received current funding from the scheme that opened on 10 November and closed on 27 November, you are ineligible to apply again.

The following will not be considered for funding: membership fees, beauty treatments, teambuilding events, taxi, transport costs or other costs not associated with this grant and deemed ineligible by the Labour Market Partnership.
 
IMPORTANT DATES

8 December 2023 - Employer Led Upskilling Programme reopened for applications.

Application Forms and supporting evidence submitted by 4pm on Friday 5 January 2024.
Any application or evidence submitted after the deadline will not be considered by the LMP and the application will be rejected. Due to funding limits, grants will only be offered (on a first come, first served basis) to companies who meet the criteria and that have not been in receipt of a bursary from the Industry Related Training Bursary Scheme previously.
 
Letter of Offer issued following assessment- week commencing 8 January 2024.
Successful applicants will be issued a Letter of Offer and a supplier details form.
Acceptance form and supplier form need to be returned promptly to speed up your payment process once the training has been completed and costs submitted for consideration. Successful applicants will be required to complete a Subsidy Control Form that must be returned with required documentation.  
 
Please do NOT incur expenses for activities until you have received written approval that funding has been granted to your organisation as it will be deemed ineligible.
 
Friday 1 March 2024 – The Grant Claim Form and all invoices and evidence in relation to the approved and completed initiatives should be returned as soon as possible upon completion of the activity, and no later than this date, accompanied by receipts, invoices and bank statements for the full amount claimed.
 
We anticipate to agree payment for your financial support payment within 14 days, subject to all relevant financial evidence having been provided.
 
Should the invoice(s) exceed the amount agreed in the Letter of Offer, only the amount stipulated in the Letter of Offer will be paid, subject to satisfactory assessment of the said invoice(s). Late invoices received after the closing date will not be paid.

For Queries Contact: lmp@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

*This scheme is now closed to applications*

Are you looking for help to get into employment?

Come along to our FREE January Mini Jobs Roadshows and receive support with:

• Interview skills and techniques
• CV Building
• Build confidence in approaching employers
• Meet and chat to support agencies and local employers

Where and when?

• Comber Adult Learning Centre, Monday 9 Jan 2023, 1.30pm–3.30pm
• Alderman George Green Community Centre, Bangor, Thursday 12 Jan 2023, 10am–12noon
• Donaghadee Community Centre, Tuesday 17 Jan 2023, 10.30am–12.30pm
• Kircubbin Community Centre, Thursday 19 Jan 2023, 12.30pm–2.30pm

For more information contact us at LMP@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

This academy will fund and facilitate full training and employability support to enable 54 participants to gain a HGV licence and 12 participants to gain a PSV/Coach licence. 

Participation is open to all residents in the Borough of Ards and North Down who are the suitable age for HGV training or PSV/Coach Driving Training, hold a full and valid UK driving licence for a minimum of 2 years, with no more than 3 penalty points, and who may be:

• Unemployed but actively seeking employment, under-employed or at risk of redundancy.

and reside in Ards and North Down (AND).

• Seeking career development through upskilling or reskilling.

• Interested in a career in the transport and logistics industry and can honour the time commitments required to complete all required aspects of the training.

• Be willing to undergo a medical examination.

Should you be interested in applying please complete the form below:

HGV (google.com)

Or contact the Labour Market Partnership Team on 0300 013 3333 Ext 40958 or email: lmp@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Read the Transport Academy Flyer here

21st March – 12:00-15:00, Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex
Up to 800 jobs were available at this year’s Ards and North Down Job Fair.

The Job Fair offered an opportunity to meet 60 exhibitors who are offering up to 800 jobs in a variety of sectors including manufacturing, hospitality, finance, catering and retail. Alongside the Council, other local businesses were eager to meet visitors to the Fair, with some employers holding job interviews on the day.

Attendees could also avail of one-on-one support and advice on finding a job, including help to build your CV from local support agencies including the Department for the Economy Careers Service, DfC Jobs Search Services, specialist disability organisations and the Local Enterprise Agencies provided advice on setting up your own business.

Seeking a career in an Early Years setting or as a Classroom Assistant? This academy will fund and facilitate 24 participants to take part in an employability and skills programme which will include training such as Safeguarding and Paediatric First Aid. Along with support and mentoring, you will then progress into a placement or employment and will be assisted to achieve an OCNNI L3 Award in Working with Children and Young People with Special Needs.

Participants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Have verifiable addresses within the ANDBC boundary
• Be unemployed but actively seeking employment, underemployed or at risk of redundancy
• Be seeking to develop a career and show a willingness to participate in the academy
• Meet all entry requirements of the training course/qualification