DEPARTMENT FOR WORK
AND PENSIONS News Release (Ref EMP-096) issued by The Government
News Network on 2 July 2008
Debenhams,
Marriott and Exemplar Health Care are among the winners of the
first annual Local Employment Partnership (LEP) awards, announced
yesterday, at the inaugural ceremony hosted by former Apprentice
winner, Tim Campbell.
The awards recognise the outstanding contributions made by
employers, employees and partners involved in LEPs - the
Government's new partnership approach to helping
disadvantaged jobseekers back into work.
Among the winning highlights were Tesco, in Aston, which
recruited 64 per cent of its workforce through its LEP; and Nissan
Motors whose activities include a bespoke pre-employment training
programme, the Nissan Routeway, for people who need extra help
with skills training.
Mark Farrell, an employee at Asda in Harrogate won one of two
individual awards to celebrate his success in overcoming barriers
to employment. Mark, who has learning disabilities, and had been
unemployed for 12 years, is now successfully working in the
grocery section and feels his life has been
"transformed" by his new job.
Stephen Timms, Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform, said:
"I would like to extend my congratulations to each of the
winners. Each of the winning employers has gone that extra mile
to help some of the most disadvantaged jobseekers back into work,
and is an example to other employers of the way that local
businesses and communities can benefit from Local Employment
Partnerships. Particular congratulations go to Mark Farrell and
Gary Fuller on the personal achievements they have made to win
their awards, which are true inspiration to others."
The winners across the six categories are:
* Tesco, Haydock - Employer award for work-life balance
* Debenhams, North Wales and Tesco, Aston - Employer award for
best practice in recruitment (joint winners)
* Marriott Hotels, Cardiff and St Pierre - Employer award for
best practice in career progression
* Nissan Motors, Sunderland - Partnership award for best practice
in partnership working
* Mark Farrell (Asda Harrogate) - Individual Award for success in
overcoming barriers to employment
* Gary Fuller (Exemplar Health Care) - Individual award for
outstanding achievement in learning and training
The winners were announced at a presentation ceremony at the Brit
Oval in London on Tuesday 1st July. The winners were selected by
a judging panel, drawn from the public and private sector,
including John Cridland, Deputy Director General CBI and Jackie
Orme, Chief Executive CIPD, and chaired by Stephen Timms.
For further information about the awards visit http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/jcp/employers/lep/awards/
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The shortlisted employers were as follows:
* Employer award for work-life balance
* Capita Life and
Pensions
* Tesco
* Tulip Cleaning Services
* Employer
award for best practice in recruitment
* Debenhams, North
Wales
* London Central and General Buses
* Tesco
*
Village Hotel
* Employer award for best practice in career
progression
* Marriott Hotels
* Norfolk County
Services
* Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel
* Partnership
award for best practice in partnership working
* Coventry City
Council
* Debenhams/ Liverpool ONE
* Nissan Motors
*
Tameside Employment Partnership
* Individual Award for success
in overcoming barriers to employment
* Mark Farrell (Asda
Harrogate)
* Muhammad Taher (Randstad In House Services)
*
Trevor Chandler (Coventry City Council)
* Individual award for
outstanding achievement in learning and training
* Gary Fuller
(Exemplar Health Care)
* Duncan Ferguson (Stellar UK)
*
Chris Gernon (HSBC)
Local Employment Partnerships (LEPs) are based on a
'deal' with employers:
* The Government, through Jobcentre Plus, takes steps to
understand employers' requirements and gets disadvantaged
people ready for work;
* Employers with vacancies give people a fair shot at the job -
through a range of measures which might include adjusting
recruitment processes, offering work trials or guaranteed
interviews, work placements, mentoring etc.
* As of the end of June 2008, 11,000 people have found work
through LEP with more than 2000 employers.
Jobcentre Plus, part of the Department for Work and Pensions,
brings together employment and benefit services for people of
working age and is a key element in the Government's
objectives to help people based on 'Work for those who can,
support for those who cannot'. It provides a professional and
modern service to meet the diverse needs of employers and those
seeking work.
For further information on the services that Jobcentre Plus
provides employers and people of working age visit http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Website http://www.dwp.gov.uk