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Previous Labour Market Partnership Projects (Now Closed)

The following programmes and events are now closed, but you can click below to read more.

Jobs, Support and Training Fair - 6th November 2024

LMP job fair

Help, advice or support with skills development, training options or job opportunities

Ards and North Down Labour Market Partnership hosted a Jobs, Support and Training Fair in Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex on the 6th November 10am-2pm.

Exhibiting at the jobs fair were:

  • Ards and North Down Borough Council - Go Succeed and LMP officers
  • Mind Mill
  • Usel
  • DfC Jobs and Benefits Office
  • People 1st
  • MPA Recruitment
  • Prince's Trust
  • SERC
  • Caremark
  • Domestic Care / Optimum Care
  • NOW Group
  • Army Careers Department
  • Home Start
  • Specialisterne
  • Action Mental Health
  • Royal Irish Regiment
  • Narra Care Services
  • Include Youth
  • Old Inn/ Galgorm Group
  • Dunluce Healthcare
  • G4S
  • Department for the Economy - Careers Services
  • Balloo Hire
  • Mash Direct
  • Industrial Temps
  • Riverpark Training
  • SE Trust
  • Stepping Stones
  • Rutledge
  • Bricks for Kids (Comber)
  • Mencap
  • Education Authority

For more information about the event click here.

Skills for Success Employer Information Session

12 September | Space, Bangor | 8.45am-12.30pm with networking opportunities.

Hosted by Ards and North Down Labour Market Partnership.

Come join us for a light breakfast and hear directly from various support service providers about the opportunities available for upskilling and reskilling your employees and the support available for your business. Speakers include the Ards and North Down Labour Market Partnership, South Eastern Regional College (SERC), Rutledge Training, Jobs and Benefits Office (JBO), Go Succeed, College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Invest Northern Ireland, The NOW Group and Council’s new Multiply Programme. 

Don’t miss this one stop opportunity to find out what support and assistance are available for your employees and your business.

Bring I.T. on - Friday 8th March 2024. Space, Bangor

Ards and North Down Labour Market Partnership and Bring I.T. On, are delighted to welcome you Tech for the Future at South Eastern Regional College, SPACE Campus, Castle Park Road, Bangor on Friday 8 March 2024, 9.30am - 1pm.

This event will focus on the different career pathways into IT . Join us to hear from our guest speakers, followed by an opportunity to engage with employers from across the IT and Tech sector as well as representatives from Northern Ireland's Further Education Colleges.

Our guest speakers will discuss how IT shapes our daily lives, the benefits of working in IT and the different pathways to begin a career in IT, no matter what your educational background.

Bring I.T. On is a funded programme from Department for the Economy.

More information can be found by visiting the Bring IT On website.

Careers Convention - 7th February, Bangor Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex, 10am- 3pm.

Do you need help, advice or support with your career or employment options?

Join us at our Careers Convention on Wednesday 7th February from 10am-3pm based in Bangor Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex.

  • On hand will be support agencies who can help with career guidance and development, along with interview skills techniques.
  • Complete a survey and find out what sector best suits your skills and interests.
  • Have an idea and looking to start your own business, our experts will be in attendance to assist.
  • Find out more information about Apprenticeship opportunities in the Borough.
  • Do you have qualifications obtained out of the UK and need advice on converting them?
  • Also in attendance will be local companies with jobs available representing the following sectors:

Care, Hospitality, Food Manufacturing, Recruitment and Customer Support Services  

Help with travel costs is available for those in receipt of benefits, please contact your local Jobs and Benefits Office

Free to attend, no need to book just join us on the day- however should you have any questions about the event please contact the Labour Market Partnership Team on 0300 013 3333 Ext 40958 or email: lmp@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Below is a list of companies attending the Careers Convention (subject to change):

  • DfE - Career Services
  • SERC
  • Mindmill
  • Usel
  • Job and Benefit's Offices
  • People 1st
  • Kevin O'Reilly Interview Skills Coach
  • Denroy
  • The Old Inn
  • Caremark
  • ANDBC Go Succeed
  • Mash Direct
  • Rutledge Group
  • First Choice
  • McKinty Associates Ltd
  • RNIB
  • Mango
  • Bryson Energy
  • Mount Charles
  • MPA Recruitment
  • Praxis Care
  • Translink
  • Princes Trust
  • Optimum Care
  • NOW Group
  • Home Start
  • Essential Home Care Services
  • Workplus
  • Specialisterne

Fancy finding out a bit more about yourself and seeing how the things you’re interested in could direct your career journey?

Follow the link below to discover your ideal career path:

https://mindmill.careermaps.co.uk

Disability Employment and Support Day - Wednesday 28th February 2024. Signal Centre, 2 Innotec Drive, Balloo Road, Bangor

Disability Employment and Support Day-

Wednesday 28 February 9.30am- 1pm Signal Centre, Balloo Road, Bangor, BT19 7PD

Ards and North Down Labour Market Partnership is hosting a Disability Employment and Support Day on 28 February at the Signal Centre. Exhibitors who offer programmes and support packages will be on hand to assist you, whether it is just advice you need or training for staff and colleagues come along and get the help and assistance you need.

Employers: 9.30am - 11am

Do you employ someone with a disability or a neurodiverse condition? Do you want to know what programmes and support packages are available, in the Borough, for you as an employer when you employ someone with a disability or a neurodiverse condition?

Attendees: 11am - 1pm

Do you self-identify as having a disability or a neurodiverse condition? Are you a parent, carer, or guardian of someone with a disability or neurodiverse condition? Come along on 28 February at the Signal Centre. Get advice about employment options, find out what programmes and support packages are available along with advice on benefits and assistance. No need to register, pop in at a time that suits.

If you have any queries, please email LMP@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.

Below is a list of companies attended the Disability Employment and Support day:

  • Usel
  • Disability Action
  • JBOs
  • NOW Group
  • Stepping Stones
  • Be Kind Project
  • Orchardville
  • Carers NI/SEHSCT
  • DfC Make the Call
  • Adapt NI
  • Action Mental Health
  • Specialisterne

Job Fair Roadshows

Are you looking for help to get into employment?

Come along to our FREE January Mini Jobs Roadshows and receive support with:

  • Interview skills and techniques
  • CV Building
  • Build confidence in approaching employers
  • Meet and chat to support agencies and local employers

Where and when?

  • Comber Adult Learning Centre, Monday 9 Jan 2023, 1.30pm–3.30pm
  • Alderman George Green Community Centre, Bangor, Thursday 12 Jan 2023, 10am–12noon
  • Donaghadee Community Centre, Tuesday 17 Jan 2023, 10.30am–12.30pm
  • Kircubbin Community Centre, Thursday 19 Jan 2023, 12.30pm–2.30pm

For more information contact us at LMP@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Enterprise Skills Academy

Enterprise Skills Academy

Health and Social Care Academy

Health and social care academy

Healthcare 1Healthcare 2

Healthcare 3

Healthcare 4

Academy for People with Disabilities

NOW funded academies

Leadership Academy

Leadership 1

Leadership 2

Transport Academy

This academy will fund and facilitate full training and employability support to enable 54 participants to gain a HGV licence and 12 participants to gain a PSV/Coach licence. 

Participation is open to all residents in the Borough of Ards and North Down who are the suitable age for HGV training or PSV/Coach Driving Training, hold a full and valid UK driving licence for a minimum of 2 years, with no more than 3 penalty points, and who may be:

  • Unemployed but actively seeking employment, under-employed or at risk of redundancy.

and reside in Ards and North Down (AND).

  • Seeking career development through upskilling or reskilling.
  • Interested in a career in the transport and logistics industry and can honour the time commitments required to complete all required aspects of the training.
  • Be willing to undergo a medical examination.

Should you be interested in applying please complete the form below:

HGV (google.com)

Or contact the Labour Market Partnership Team on 0300 013 3333 Ext 40958 or email: lmp@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Read the Transport Academy Flyer here

Transport academy

Job Fair - Thursday 21st March 2024 - Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex, Newtownards

21st March – 12:00-15:00, Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex
Up to 800 jobs were available at this year’s Ards and North Down Job Fair.

The Job Fair offered an opportunity to meet 60 exhibitors who are offering up to 800 jobs in a variety of sectors including manufacturing, hospitality, finance, catering and retail. Alongside the Council, other local businesses were eager to meet visitors to the Fair, with some employers holding job interviews on the day.

Attendees could also avail of one-on-one support and advice on finding a job, including help to build your CV from local support agencies including the Department for the Economy Careers Service, DfC Jobs Search Services, specialist disability organisations and the Local Enterprise Agencies provided advice on setting up your own business.

Classroom/ Early Years Employability and Skills Academy

Seeking a career in an Early Years setting or as a Classroom Assistant? This academy will fund and facilitate 24 participants to take part in an employability and skills programme which will include training such as Safeguarding and Paediatric First Aid. Along with support and mentoring, you will then progress into a placement or employment and will be assisted to achieve an OCNNI L3 Award in Working with Children and Young People with Special Needs.

Participants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Have verifiable addresses within the ANDBC boundary
  • Be unemployed but actively seeking employment, underemployed or at risk of redundancy
  • Be seeking to develop a career and show a willingness to participate in the academy
  • Meet all entry requirements of the training course/qualification

Disability Employment and Support Day Comber - 27 November 2024

Wednesday 27th November, 10am - 1pm

FREE ADMISSION | BSL SIGNER AVAILABLE

Welcoming employers, those with a disability, neurodiverse condition, carers and parents/guardians
Comber Leisure Centre Castle Street, BT23 5DY
Are you interested to find out what opportunities are available to you or someone in your care?
Or, are you an employer who would like to find out about programmes and support packages available?

Come along and meet local support agencies who will provide information and can assist 
your journey to employment.
For more information please email: LMP@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

List of exhibitors:

  • Action Mental Health
  • Adapt NI
  • Carers NI/SEHSCT
  • Cedar Foundation
  • DFC Make the Call
  • Go Succeed
  • JBOs
  • Mencap
  • Now Group
  • Orchardville
  • Specialistern
  • Usel
  • Condition Management
  • Versus Arthritis
  • Equality Commission
  • Praxis Care

Read the event flyer here

Disability and Employment Day Comber

Skills and Employment Support Clinic - 15th January 2025

Are you unemployed? On Benefits?

Do you want to know what your training and employment options are?

Join the Labour Market Partnership at a local Skills and Employment Clinic to find out about the opportunities available to you.

Come and speak to advisors from various training and support agencies.

Free to attend

Unlock your potential and join us at the following venue:

  • Wednesday 15th January 2025: 10am-1pm Comber Leisure Centre, 15 Castle Street, Comber. BT23 5DY

Below is the list of training and support agencies attending (subject to change):

  • NOW Group
  • Rutledge
  • Orchardville
  • People 1st
  • Action Mental Health
  • Stepping Stones
  • Workplus
  • Belfast Works Connect
  • SERC (South Eastern Regional College)
  • JBOs (Jobs and Benefits Office)
  • DFE Career Services
  • Go Succeed
  • Labour Market Partnership
  • Include Youth
  • Start Programme
  • Usel

Job Fair - 20th March 2025

A jobs fair was held in Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Centre, Newtownards, on Thursday 20th March 2025 from 11am-2pm.  

Employers that are attending this year's event are listed below.

Employer nameSector
2nd Battalion The Royal Irish RegimentArmed Forces
Abbeyfield & Wesley Housing AssociationCharity/ Social Care
Ards and North Down Borough CouncilLocal Government - Council
ArmySecurity
Autism InitiativesCharity/ Social Care
Balloo Hire Centres LtdService
Bró38 LtdWholesale
Beannchor/Little WingHospitality
Brook StreetRecruitment
Caremark NIHealth Care/ Social Care
Cleanstart NICleaning
Connected HealthHealth Care/ Social Care
Crossroads Care NICare / Carers
Drilling and Pumping Supplies LtdEngineering
EMT LtdMedical/ Pharmacy
EventsecSecurity
Forever LivingNetwork Marketing
G4SSecurity
GES GroupEngineering
Hays RecruitmentRecruitment
HCLTechCustomer Service
Healthcare Ireland GroupHealth Care/ Social Care
Helen Kane Nursing ServicesCare/ Carers
Home Instead Ards & North DownCare/ Carers
Honeycomb JobsPublic Sector
Industrial TempsRecruitment
Kindercare FosteringChildcare/ Social Care
La Mon Hotel & Country ClubHospitality
McGimpsey Brothers Removals LimitedTransport/ Logistics/ Warehousing
Mount CharlesFacilities Management
Narra Care ServicesHealth Care/ Social Care
NFU Mutual - North & East Down AgencyInsurance/ Financial Services
Optimum Care GroupHealth Care/ Social Care
People 1stEducation
Posh Nosh IrelandHospitality
Praxis CareHealth Care/ Social Care
Presbyterian Church in IrelandHealth Care/ Social Care
Quality Care Services - CCH GroupHealth Care/ Social Care
Riverpark TrainingTransport/ Logistics/ Warehousing
Rutledge RecruitmentRecruitment
TeleperformanceTelecommunications - Contact Centre
The Old Inn (Galgorm Collection)Hospitality
Titanic Hotel BelfastHospitality
WorkplusApprenticeships

The following support organisations were also in attendance:

Support Organisations:
Empower Consortium (USEL) LP
Prosper Consortium (Triangle Housing) LP
Condition Management Programme
Ards and North Down LMP/GO Succeed
The Kings Trust 
South Eastern Regional College (SERC)
NOW Group
Careers Service
DFC Job Search
Mindmill HR Software Ltd.
Belfast Metropolitan College

Ards and north Down Job Fair Thursday 20 March