Search to find Londonís award-winning employers.

Does your company do all it can to help people make the move from unemployment benefits into work?

Has it gone out of its way to help job seekers overcome hurdles such as health problems, language barriers, caring responsibilities or other special circumstances?

Does it have a commitment to diversity and equality, so that every member of the community has an equal chance of finding work regardless of barriers or social situation?

If so, then the London Employer Coalition wants to hear from you.

It wants to acknowledge this achievement at a prestigious awards ceremony ñ providing a fantastic boost both for the company image and the products and services it supplies.

London Employer Coalition Chair, Chris Banks, said: ìGood employers who do all that they can to give people work are the bedrock of society.

ìEvery person they employ is an investment in the entire community, not just in the individual worker.

ìThatís why we want to hear about employers ñ both large and small - who have helped people make the change from benefits to work. We want to hold them up as shining examples to let everyone see what can be achieved.

ìIt doesnít matter how big or how small you company is ñ if youíve got a good story to tell, we want to hear from youî

There are also awards for individual jobseekers who have defied all the odds to move from benefits into to work.

The LEC wants to receive nominations from anyone who has succeeded in making the move into work, often overcoming immense difficulties. Employers and friends can make nominations on their behalf.

Said Chris Banks: ìMaking the move from benefits to employment may seem like a simple change, but often it can often require huge amount of courage and determination.î


The winners will receive their prizes at the prestigious London Employer Coalition annual award ceremony to honour their achievements which will be held later this year.

There are 8 categories to apply for, but hurry ñ the closing date for nominations is 4 October 2004 at 12 noon.

The award scheme is open to employers and individuals in the London area. (Within M25)

To receive more information about the awards and a nomination form, log on to www.livegroup.co.uk/lecawards.

Or call the LEC AWARDS HOTLINE on 020 8481 4226

The categories are:

INDIVIDUALS

Individuals Securing Rewarding Opportunities in the Public Sector
Sponsored by North East London Strategic Health Authority.

To recognise the achievement of individual Jobseekers who have overcome barriers to work to secure a position of choice in the public sector (including, for example, the NHS, local councils and Central Government).

Individuals Progressing Through Training to Employment
Sponsored by the Learning and Skills Council

To recognise the achievement of individual Jobseekers in securing new qualifications to enter their chosen employment.

EMPLOYERS

Large Employers
Sponsored by the London Development Agency

To recognise employers with an active commitment to diversity and equality who have fair and effective ways of reaching, selecting and supporting Jobcentre Plus customers.

Small Employers
Sponsored by the National Employer Panel SME Board

To recognise the contribution of small employers to the successful recruitment and development of Jobcentre Plus customers

Lifestyle ñ Friendly Employer
Sponsored by BT

To recognise creative, proactive employers providing employment opportunities that embrace flexible working to anticipate or respond to individualsí lifestyle needs.

JOBCENTRE PLUS

Team or Individual
Sponsored by EDS

To recognise an individualís or teamís achievement in delivering an excellent, responsive service to employers.

TEAM

Employer ñ Jobcentre Plus, Intermediary Team
Sponsored by Lend Lease

To recognise working in partnership to develop and deliver innovative approaches to help Jobseekers gain employment and employers meet their recruitment needs.

OUTREACH WORKERS
Sponsored by Metropolitan Police Service

Individuals or Teams (from Jobcentre Plus, employers, training or community organisations)

To recognise the achievements of outreach workers in encouraging individuals who are currently distant from the labour market to take the first steps back

The London Employer Coalition represents Londonís top employers, and works closely with Jobcentre Plus to promote the governmentís Welfare to Work agenda.

The LEC annual awards honour jobseekers who have overcome barriers to secure work, as well as businesses with an active commitment to diversity and equality in recruitment.