National Awards launched to celebrate employment success stories

National awards to celebrate the success of employers, employees and partners involved in Local Employment Partnerships (LEPs) are being launched this week. The awards mark the first full year of a new partnership approach across England, Wales and Scotland to help long-term benefit claimants back into employment.

Over 400 employers have already committed to the government scheme, which aims to realise the untapped potential across the country, and help 250,000 into sustainable employment by December 2010. Since the first five retailers (Asda, B&Q, Marks & Spencer, Sainsburyís and Tesco) signed up in July 2007, employers across a wide range of sectors from retail and construction to manufacturing and banking have committed to LEPs, each employer benefiting from an agreement which is tailored to their specific recruitment requirements.

Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform, said:

ìWeíre delighted that over 400 employers have already committed to work in partnership with us to support the hardest to help come off benefits and move in to work.

ìThe Local Employment Partnership awards will showcase those employers who go the extra mile to help some of the most disadvantaged get into work, as well as celebrating the success and personal achievements of employees whose lives are being transformed through the scheme. Weíd encourage employers and partners to consider whether they or one of their LEP employees would be eligible to enter.î

The awards will recognise outstanding contributions made by both employers and employees in Local Employment Partnerships over the past year. Six categories have been created to celebrate the achievement of employers who exemplify innovation and best practice, as well as marking outstanding achievements amongst individuals who have found work through LEPs. The six categories are:

- Employer award for best practice in recruitment
- Employer award for best career progression
- Employer award for work-life balance
- Individual award for overcoming barriers to employment
- Individual award for outstanding achievement in training
- Partnership award for best practice in partnership working

The award is open to LEP employers and partners involved in delivering LEPs, and to people who have found work through LEPs. A bespoke website for Local Employment Partnerships (www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/up), where people can enter the awards, has been set up. Entries may be submitted until the closing date of Friday 2 May 2008.

All nominations will be reviewed and a shortlist produced for a judging panel of employment experts, chaired by Stephen Timms. (Full details of the panel will be announced shortly.) The winners will be announced at an award ceremony at The Oval, Kennington in London on 1 July 2008.