Local Employment Service Network & Jobs Club

In 2007, the Limerick Employment Service Network (LESN) and Jobs Club continued to provide a client focused, integrated and personalised service, to those who were long-term unemployed or particularly distant from the labour market, to support them to access employment and employment-related opportunities. 

Key actions by the Limerick Employment Service in 2007 included:

• Continued focus on hard to reach clients and those particularly distant from the labour market, including non-Irish nationals
• Provision of psychological assessments
• Referrals to appropriate service providers such as FÁS, the Vocational Educational   Committee, the Department of Social and Family Affairs
• Innovative training provision
• Provision of welfare information in several languages
• Use of internet-based translation services and provision of interpreter services where required
• Financial assistance for mainstream training where required
• Delivery of 4 employer focused seminars/events in order to enhance links with employers
• Support for staff to attend seminars on budget updates
• Collaboration with other agencies and service providers
• Engagement with Regeneration Employment Forum to help clients avail of new employment opportunities.

The LESN also provided services on an outreach basis through five full time, community-based Contact Points, located in each of the five PAUL Partnership target areas.  In addition, sessional services were provided in other areas where a demand has been identified, e.g. Our Lady Queen of Peace Community Group.  In 2007, 837 individuals registered with the LESN, 222 were placed in employment, while 500 were supported to access education and/or training. At the end of 2007, the LESN had 900 active clients.

The Jobs Club continued to provide a Job Seeking Skills Training Programme which enables participants to acquire the necessary skills to actively plan, seek and achieve realistic employment opportunities.  The Training Programme covers areas such as ‘Exploring Work Opportunities’, ‘Job Seeking Skills’, ‘Interviewing Skills’, and ‘Implementation of Job Seeking Plan’. 

A total of 11 Jobs Club Training Programmes were delivered in 2007, attended by 93 participants in all.  In addition, the Jobs Club also provided one-to-one training sessions with 125 clients in individual areas such as Interview Techniques, CV Preparation, and aptitude tests.  A further 2194 clients availed of the services and facilities of the Jobs Club (i.e. Internet, telephone, fax, notice board, newspapers) on a drop-in basis.  65% of clients who attended the group or one-to-one training sessions have since progressed onto employment or further training opportunities while 35% are currently involved in the jobs seeking process.