Labour Market Partnership
Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership aims to support more people into meaningful employment.
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
You can read our Mid and East Antrim LMP Action Plans for 2025/26 and 2026/27 on this website or download a copy to read offline (PDF 1MB)
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.
Counterbalance Forklift Training (2-days)
Limited spaces available
Course delivery and content training is carried out to BRITTOP approved standards and uses a combination of theory and practical sessions to provide an understanding of forklift trucks, best practice and safe systems of work.
Apply before 23 March 2026.
Construction Skills Register Health & Safety Training (CSR Card)
Limited spaces available
This 1-day training course provides the mandatory health and safety certification required for site access to improve site safety, reduce accidents and verify worker training.
Apply before 25 March 2026.
Individual Learning Account
This fund will enable eligible MEA residents to apply for funding (100% costs) up to a maximum of £500 towards accredited or industry recognised training required for career development.
The funding can be used to cover all associated costs of training, upskilling, qualification and accreditation.
Training requests over £500 may be considered with a decision made by MEA LMP Board members.
To register your interest or to find out more information E: lmp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
IT for All
The IT for All programme will provide participants with the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge to gain employment and/or move on to further study.
Participants will complete a range of practical training sessions across a delivery of three cohorts in Mid and East Antrim (one community location in Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne).
This community-based IT training initiative offers a flexible and impactful way to address the digital skills gap locally and equips participants with practical and relevant IT knowledge to empower them in digital growth.
PROPEL
Open for registration
The programme is for care experienced young people aged 18 – 25 to support individual care leavers to develop employability skills and work readiness through a range of economic activities to reduce barriers to employment.
Construction & Scaffolding
This 2-week programme in partnership with Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and local businesses will equip participants with the skills, training and accreditation required to start a career in the scaffolding and wider construction sectors.
Career Boost
This 8-week programme will provide tailored interventions that empower women returners to build confidence and overcome employment gaps to enter or re-enter employment.
The programme will include:
- Skills development workshops
- CV and interview preparation
- Digital literacy and workplace readiness
- Confidence Building to regain self-belief and develop strategies to approach the job market effectively
- Inspiration and motivation through outreach events that spark interest and encourage progression into a structured programme
- Practical support to identify suitable roles, navigate job searches etc.
REIGNITE
This is a flexible, structured support programme designed for men who wish to prepare for work, return to employment or strengthen their confidence and skills.
A Career Coach will work with participants on an individual basis to help them:
- make meaningful progress toward their employment goals
- provide a clear explanation of how the programme will operate and the support participants will receive
- take time to understand individual circumstances and aspirations for the future
- assess strengths, skills and areas of interest to help identify suitable career paths
Youth Work (Upskilling)
Participants will have the opportunity to complete the Level 3 Certificate in Youth Work Practice qualification which is designed to develop and enhance competence in the planning, delivery and evaluation of a group work programme in a youth work context.
Inside Housing
This programme will introduce participants to the diverse career opportunities within the Housing Association sector.
The initiative aims to enhance employability, encourage future upskilling and provide a clear pathway into the sector across Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus.
Upcoming events
Employability and Wellbeing Events
Employability and Wellbeing 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.
Redundancy Support Clinic
Redundancy Support Clinic will be held on Thursday, 5 March 2026 from 10am to 12.30pm in The Braid with employers, recruitment agencies and support organisations in attendance.
If any local employers, with suitable vacancies, are interested in attending please contact lmp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Contact Details
For any further information regarding Mid and East Antrim’s Labour Market Partnership, please contact the team: