Vision

A vibrant, empowered community where local people can access the employment, education and training that realises their personal potential. This shall be reflected in higher employment levels in the area, independency from the benefit trap and increased skills levels linked directly with labour market needs. People utilising Job Assist Centres West Belfast shall have higher self-esteem, skills levels and self-confidence while having a pathway to their own success, either through employment, education or training. The underlying causes of unemployment and skills deficit are addressed, with employers viewing local people as valuable assets.

Mission

Assist people in West Belfast to reach their work life potential through confidential and person-centred support from the local community.

Strategic Purpose and Aims

The success of Job Assist Centres West Belfast shall be measured in terms of engaging those furthest from the labour market and supporting them to remove barriers to and securing employment.

We will work with the local community to redress the long-term legacy of multi-generational unemployment and high level of needs to ensure that inequalities, marginalisation and employment barriers can be eliminated through enhancing both the employability and self-esteem of local people.

We work to empower people to make their own choices in their own lives. This includes presenting people with the fullest range of options possible and working through what best suits their own needs and circumstances.

We will promote access to other more specialised and targeted support by sign-posting people to appropriate services.

We will work directly with employers to develop pathways to direct recruitment across all sectors, effectively engaging with:

• Employer Forum Clusters: Construction, Contact Centre, Engineering, Retail, Utilities and IT.
• West Belfast & Greater Shankill Health Employment Partnership where we can access real job opportunities within the health sector.
• Social Economy Fund offering job opportunities and encouraging added value to participating social enterprises.

We report to West Belfast & Greater Shankill Employment Services Board to ensure Job Assist delivery is accountable, transparent and strategically aligned to employability structures within West Belfast. We also tie closely with Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships within West Belfast to ensure accountability at a local level.

• Engage those furthest from the labour market onto the Job Assist/Jobs on the Move Service.
• Support people through consistent personal development mentoring and engaging with specialised groups through targeted support.
• Deliver employability mentoring and support for those furthest from the labour market to enter employment Ensure delivery of service is inclusive and accessible throughout the area.
• Co-ordinate provision of financial support (education, training, materials and clothing) that develop employability of those further from the labour market.
• Effectively link with employers and employment opportunities
• Co-ordinate ESF Jobs on the Move across West Belfast.
• Co-ordinate Job Assist LEMIS contract across West Belfast and partnership working with Consortium consisting of Lenadoon Community Forum, Upper Andersonstown Community Forum, Sally Garden and USDT as Lead Partner.
• Delivery of Social Economy Fund (SEF) in partnership with Work West.
• Ensure effective strategic employability linkages and that Job Assist is aligned at a policy level.
• Ensure contracts and grants in place to effectively deliver service