02 July 08 – Local employment partnership award winners revealed

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/

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 www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

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