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Tackling labour market disadvantage through a specialist careers information advice and guidance service for unemployed people who do not have English as their first language
GEMS NI Minority Ethnic Employability Support Project
GEMS NI is recognised as a model of best practice in the delivery of services that support long term unemployed and economically inactive people to overcome their barriers to employment. Over the past five years we have developed a range of innovative programmes that create pathways to sustainable employment for people who experience labour market disadvantage. In early 2004 GEMS NI recognised that we needed to ensure that our service provided support to existing minority ethnic communities and to meet the needs people coming to live and work in Belfast who experienced additional difficulties accessing employment primarily (but not exclusively) in relation to the language barrier. To meet this increasing need GEMS NI developed Language for Work – a specialist programme that combines ESOL and Employability Skills and employed a dedicated Employment Consultant to support minority ethnic clients.
Supported by Building for Sustainable Prosperity, GEMS NI Minority Ethnic Employability Support Project (MEESP) commenced in April 2006 with a formal launch hosted by Equality Commission in June 2006.
MEESP Aims
MEESP aims to address the effects of the identified barriers to employment specifically (but not exclusively) lack of English Language proficiency for unemployed minority ethnic people from TSN areas by assisting them to enter sustainable employment. This is delivered through one-to-one career guidance tailored to meet individual needs through job search skills, completing application forms and interview skills. In addition to the career guidance support to gain
English Language skills are provided to help the target group to get and sustain employment and self-advocate as required.
To date MEESP has provided support to over 200 participants offering an integrated package of active measures tailored to meet individual need including:
·One to one career guidance and support (and if necessary co-worker support)
· Language for Work (flexible programme focusing on the language skills required for the workplace and accredited City & Guilds ESOL Skills for Life Level 1 and 2)
·One to one English language support
These courses are not just about learning English - they equip the learner with knowledge and information about the recruitment process in Northern Ireland and gives them the confidence to effectively market themselves to employers.
Some comments from Language for Work learners ‘It’s very practical with a very relaxed atmosphere’, ‘Now I make less errors in writing and speaking’, and ‘I get the right skills to find a job’.
Maeve McKeag GEMS NI MEESP Co-ordinator has established an Advisory Group to support the project with representatives from a wide range of organisations that work with minority ethnic groups and individuals.
If you would like to know more about the MEESP Project contact:
Maeve McKeag
Project Co-ordinator
Minority Ethnic Employability Support Project
GEMS NI Ltd
3rd Floor Fanum House, 108-110 Great Victoria Street
Belfast. BT2 7BE.
Tel: 0044 (0)28 9033 2313
The Minority Ethnic Employability Support Project is part-financed by the European Social Fund under the Northern Ireland Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity
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Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action is registered as a company limited by guarantee in Northern Ireland (No 1792) and is registered as a charity for tax purposes with the Inland Revenue
