Labour Market Partnership

The Labour Market Partnership (LMP) is a province-wide approach funded by the Department for Communities and comprises of Council, statutory and local employment stakeholders working together to address unemployment, economic activity and improve labour market conditions within the borough.

The Partnership delivers a range of programmes to help our residents gain the work-ready skills, experience or qualifications needed to move into employment or to a better job.

If you would like to find out more about participating in any of our free LMP academies or are an employer wanting to get involved, please contact us:

E: lmp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

T: 028 2563 3345

Please see below for further information on employment and skills support being offered across 2025/26:

Community-led and localised skills development

LMP officers and delivery partners will work with local communities to identify skills needs and to co-design interventions and programmes that will encourage the hardest to reach economically inactive residents to get into, or back into the labour market or to help take steps on a pathway to better employment or career advancement.

Insight Youth 16 – 24 & Start Out 19 – 24

Working in partnership with Michelin Development both programmes are designed to include bespoke employer training and placement opportunities tailored for school leavers aged 16 to 24 years (Insight Youth) and young people with disabilities aged 19 to 24 years (Start Out) to bridge skills gaps, enhance personal development and provide employability opportunities.

To find out more or to register E: lmp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk 

Employer engagement is a core element to help build inclusive work environments where young people can develop. 

If you are a company interested in supporting both programmes, please contact E: lmp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Wellbeing 4 Work: 50+

Are you unemployed and aged over 50? 

Interested in re-entering employment or further training?

Join Network Personnel for a 12-week programme to develop confidence and wellbeing with intensive one to one support. 

• Understanding challenges and early wellbeing interventions, skills development, tailored personalised support, employer engagement and workplace exposure with Holistic wellbeing and sustainability

Who can apply?

Open to MEA residents aged 50+ who are economically inactive, unemployed or underemployed.

RECRUITMENT NOW OPEN!

T: 028 7963 1032 or E: referrals@networkpersonnel.org.uk

Phlebotomy Training Academy

Currently closed but accepting expressions of interest for September 2025.

Are you interested in working in  pursuing a career in phlebotomy?

Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership are offering residents the opportunity to develop their employability skills by completing our bespoke 10-week course which could be a great stepping stone to develop skills in the growing healthcare field specialising in phlebotomy.

The Level 3 Award is a solid introduction to phlebotomy and is for anyone who wants to understand more about phlebotomy with a view to starting on the road to a career as a phlebotomist.

Who can apply?

Mid and East Antrim residents aged 18 years and over who are economically inactive, long-term unemployed, under-employed (typically working less than 16 hours) or those wishing to up skill.

Candidates do not require any qualifications to be eligible for a place on this course, however all candidates must be available to attend all classes and not be participating on any other programme.

Participants who successfully achieve the qualification, will have the opportunity to progress to the Level 3 Certificate in Phlebotomy (subject to funding).

If interested, please contact: lmp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Medical Administration Academy

Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership are offering residents the opportunity to develop their employability skills by completing our Bespoke 8-week Medical Administration Training Academy, delivered by the Northern GP Federation Support Unit with a guaranteed interview upon completion.

• Information Session: Tuesday 19 August 2025
• Start date: Tuesday 9 September 2025
• Timetable: Tuesday and Thursday, 9.30am - 4pm
• Location: Northern GP Federation Support Unit, Ballymena

Participants must be able to attend all sessions across the 8 week training academy.

Who can apply?

Mid and East Antrim residents aged 18 years and over who are economically inactive, long-term unemployed, under-employed (typically working less than 16 hours) or those wishing to upskill.

Candidates do not require any qualifications to be eligible for a place on this course; however, all candidates must be available to attend all classes, be comfortable using computers and confident in their ability to learn new programmes.

Register by Friday 15 August 2025 online using MS Forms

Investor Support Academies

This 4–6-week academy will include vocational and employability training to enable participants to move into employment covering occupational, areas in retail, warehousing and production skills. 

The academy will be shaped to local needs and the needs of new investors with relevant training identified offered to participants to support them in developing the necessary skills to apply for employment and to assist new investors setting up in the borough.

More details to follow.

Childminding Academy

Childminding Enhanced Training

Are you interested in FREE additional training and qualifications to support your professional development?

Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership are offering fully funded training courses to support registered childminders, childminder assistants and approved home care providers:

• Gain New Skills
• Expand Your Qualifications
• Enhance Your Services for Families

Training/ Qualifications Include:

• Paediatric 1st Aid / Refresher
• Epi pen Training
• Promoting Children’s Emotional Wellbeing
• Promoting Positive Behaviour in the Early Years
• Child Development 0-3 years
• Level 2 Award in Managing Challenging Behaviours in Children & young people
• Level 3 Award in Working with children & young people with Special Educational Needs

Eligibility criteria:  

• Registered Childminder/Approved Home Care Provider
• Resident of Mid and East Antrim

For registration and further information E: lmp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Classroom Assistant Employment Academy

Starting September 2025, we are offering the opportunity to complete an intensive one-week Classroom Assistant Academy with support to apply for live, local vacancies.

What are the benefits for you?

• A chance to improve employability.
• Guaranteed interviews with local employers.
• An introduction to the sector and an insight into the range of job roles available.
• Access to a range of personal development training including communication and teamwork.
• One to one mentoring support for the duration of the programme.

Who can apply?

The Employment Academy is open to anyone living in the Mid and East Antrim Council area, currently out of work or working less than 16 hours a week.  

Preference will be given to those who are economically inactive or long-term unemployed.

How to apply

To apply, or for more information email your contact details to: academy@people-1st.co.uk and a job mentor will be in touch to discuss the next steps to getting you started on your journey into employment.

Classroom Assistant Upskilling Academy

Starting 30 September 2025, we are offering the opportunity to complete an intensive one-week Classroom Assistant Academy with support to apply for live, local vacancies.

The academy will support candidates currently employed as temporary classroom assistants.

The Academy aims to build confidence within classroom support teams by focusing on the development of the child or young person’s wellbeing and social learning skills.

Understanding how to mentor the individual with needs, while working with the teacher or tutor to develop new cognitive skills, is a core part of the course.

What are the benefits for you?

During our nine-month Classroom Assistant Upskilling Academy you will be working towards a Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools which will be delivered through a series of workshops as well as one to one mentoring and input from guest speakers.

Who can apply?

The Employment Academy is open to anyone living in the Mid and East Antrim Council area.

You must be a working as a classroom assistant on a temporary contract (in any region of Northern Ireland), have Maths and English at GCSE or equivalent or willing to gain these qualifications.

This academy will be equally beneficial to newly qualified classroom assistants or more experienced practitioners who want to develop and enhance their skills.

Please note that places are limited and will be offered to suitable candidates who apply early.

How to apply

To apply, or for more information email your contact details to: c.mcgarvey@people-1st.co.uk or call M: 07999 023 291 and a job mentor will be in touch to discuss the next steps to getting you started.

Placement Insights Programme

This 6-week project aims to provide participants with interactive bitesize employability support and introduction to the world of work for young people in target groups e.g. those with a disability, leaving care or Education otherwise than at School.

More details to follow.

Engineering Academy

The Engineering Academy will include various pathways across approx. 6 weeks that will be shaped due to employer needs with relevant training identified offered to participants.

Initial demands are around welding/fabrication electrician’s assistant and electronics.

More details to follow.

CleanTech / Green Energy Academy

The Cleantech Academy will be shaped due to employer needs and include training to support staff upskilling in Hydrogen and Green Energy.

This will be a bespoke academy with a menu of upskilling courses and insights in the emerging cleantech and green technology sector.

More details to follow.

Work Connections

Work Connections supports MEA residents with disabilities who are currently unemployed or working less hours than they wish to develop their skills and move into new and / or more rewarding roles.

The programme offers 1:2:1 personal development mentoring, accredited training, work placements and employability support.

Additionally, Work Connections supports local employers who wish to provide placements, work tasters and employment to programme participants.

Work Connections is delivered on behalf of MEALMP by NOW Group, for more information, please contact:

• mark.wilson@nowgroup.org, M: 07710 094 886 or 
• victoria.mcauley@nowgroup.org, M: 07884 330 036 or
• E: LMP@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Graduate Disability Academy

A 6-month tailored training and employment support for graduates with disabilities who are unemployed, underemployed, economically inactive or not suited to existing provision Programme will include a range of personalised supports and qualifications to support gradates move into employment.

More details to follow.

Employer Advisory Service

Dedicated in-house resource to engage and support employers. Will also provide advice and support re: recruitment processes, employing those furthest removed from the labour market, providing placements for participants and working with employers to co-design interventions.

Provision of Employer support sessions in groups, 1 to 1 sessions and presentations at events.

If you are a local employer within Mid and East Antrim and wish to find out more, please contact Hayley Barr at lmp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

Upcoming events

Employability and Well-being Events are currently being arranged to support those seeking work to move into education, employment, or training and event details will be updated in due course.

For any further information regarding Mid and East Antrim’s Labour Market Partnership, please contact the team:

E: lmp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

T: 028 2563 3345