% LMP members who feel the local LMP is making a positive contribution and delivering effectively (LMP)

SP1.1 LMP delivery and development

Effective delivery of the LMP through the Members, appropriate structures and mechanisms

• Development and delivery of MEA LMP
• Action Plan development and delivery
• Secretariat for LMP
• Capacity Building and knowledge sharing with LMP Members and Stakeholder
• Collaboration with other LMPs
• MTF Skills Sub Group
• Enterprise and Employability in the Community Sub Group

How much did we do?
6 x LMP Meetings

How well did we do it?
Overall total 72/96 and 75% attendance of LMP members at meetings

Is anyone better off?
14/16 and 88% of LMP members feel that they are contributing to the delivery of the LMP
14/16 and 88% of LMP members who think that the LMP is making a positive difference.

% of MEA Economic Inactivity Rate (16-64 - Excl Students)
% of Claimant Count in MEA
% of MEA Employment rate of people with disabilities
# MEA Median Gross Annual Pay by Place of Work

Economic Inactivity

Deliver a suite of activities to encourage greater participation in the labour market.

SP2.1 Community Skills

To encourage the economically inactive back to work, MEA LMP will support inclusive access to employability programmes, focusing on a community/employer partnership approach.

How much did we do?
45 participants enrolled on the project

How well did we do it?
40/45 and 89% of participants completed the project
35/40 and 88% of participants reported satisfaction with the LMP project

Is anyone better off?
30/40 and 75% of completers gained a qualification as a result of participation on the project.
15/40 and 38% of participants gaining new employment
15/40 and 38% of participants who undertake further education or training following completion of the project.

SP2.3 Insight Youth

Aims to quip young people with the seven key employability skills employers regard as essential to making a successful start in the workplace, retaining employment and building a career.

Long-term personal development and employability programme includes:
18 - 20 hours of skillbuilding workshops

20 hours employability skills training 80 hours of work experience with a local business

How much did we do?
10 participants enrolled on the project 

How well did we do it?
7/10 and 70% of participants completed the project

7/10 and 70% of participants reported satisfaction with the LMP project

Is anyone better off?
6/7 and 86% of completers gained a qualification as a result of participation on the project.
5/7 and 71% of participants who undertake further education or training following completion of the project.

Unemployment

MEA LMP have designed a range of academies with small target numbers to facilitate the breadth of skills demands locally.

We will collaborate with neighbouring councils to ensure economies of scale and access to opportunity.

To reduce job claimant numbers within the  borough, through a range or bespoke interventions designed to meet the needs of participants and employers.

SP2.4 Classroom Assistant (Entry Level)

Demand-led entry level employment academies to provide access to and support to sustain employment.

An introduction to the sector and insight into the range of job roles available with support to apply for live, local vacancies within schools.

Participants will have opportunities throughout the academy to improve their employability
skills as well as access to a range of personal development training including communication and teamwork.

Guaranteed interviews with local employers and one to one mentoring support for the  duration of the programme

How much did we do?
8 participants enrolled

How well did we do it?
7/8 and 88% participants completed the project.
7/8 and 88% of completers reported satisfaction with the project.

Is anyone better off?
6/8 and 75% commenced employment.
4/6 and 67% of participants reported still in employment 6 months after finishing participation on the project

2.5 Childminding partnership project with NICMA and NHSCT to support new selfemployed childminders

Participants will complete qualification in Paediatric First Aid Safeguarding Children and Health & Safety.

Undertake training to include Business Development and marketing.

Participants will have one to one mentoring support throughout the 6 months duration.

How much did we do?
10 Participants enrolled on the project

How well did we do it?
8/10 and 80% of participants enrolled who completed the project.
6/8 and 75% of completers who reported satisfaction with project

Is anyone better off?
8/8 and 100% of completers gained a qualification as a result of participation on the project
6/8 and 75% of participants reported they felt more confident about becoming selfemployed
6/8 and 75% of completers commenced self-employment /employment
4/6 and 67% of completers still in employment 6 months after finishing participation on the programme

SP2.9 Health Support Services (Care, Catering, Driving)

Training interventions in Support Service for roles including catering assistants, care assistants and support assistants with driving duties

Participants will attend weekly classes to gain skills and knowledge to support them to
complete agreed vocational related qualifications.

Employability workshops will include CV Building, Interview Techniques, Personal Presentation and Transferable Skills.

One to One mentoring and progress reviews.

Integrated package of 5 driving lessons and engagement and completion support.

Participants will take part in have a go days/Site visits and employer talks.

Guaranteed interview on completion.

How much did we do?
10 participants enrolled

How well did we do it?
8/10 and 80% participants completed the project.
6/8 and 75% of completers reported satisfaction with the project.

Is anyone better off?
6/8 and 75% of completers commenced employment
4/6 and 67% of completers still in employment 6 months after finishing participation

Skilled Labour Supply

The MEA LMP have explored a range of employer-led higher skills academies to support participants to further develop industry skills to increase employee retention and reduce employee turnover.

Skilling-up interventions will focus on the underemployed and those who want to obtain qualifications to progress to a higher level.

SP2.10 Health and Social Care Upskilling Academy

Improve the job satisfaction of healthcare and social care professionals through opportunities for career progression and contribute to better retention rates in the sector.

How much did we do?
12 participants enrolled

How well did we do it?
10/12 and 83% participants completed the project.
8/10 and 80% of completers reported satisfaction with the project.

Is anyone better off?
8/8 and 100% of completers who gained a qualification because of participation on the project

6/8 and 75% of completers moved into higher paid employment

SP2.11 Classroom Assistant Upskilling 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.

Throughout the duration of the academy participants 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.

How much did we do?
15 participants enrolled

How well did we do it?
12/15 and 80% completing the programme.
12/15 and 80% completers reporting satisfaction with the project

Is anyone better off?

11/12 and 92% of completers who gained a qualification because of participation on the project
8/12 and 67% commenced permanent employment.

SP2.12 Cleantech

The Cleantech Academy will be shaped due to employer needs and include training to support staff upskilling

The Cleantech Academy - skilling up programme to raise skills levels in the emerging cleantech and green technology sector.

Hydrogen, Renewable Energy Electric/Hybrid Vehicle repair

Small Scale Solar

Photovoltaic Systems

Electrical Energy

Storage Systems

Domestic and small commercial electric vehicle charging installations

How much did we do?
8 participants enrolled

How well did we do it?
7/8 and 88% participants completed the project.
7/8 and 88% of completers reported satisfaction with the project.

Is anyone better off?
7/8 and 88% of completers who gained a qualification because of participation on the project
6/7 and 86% of completers moved into higher paid employment

SP2.13 Employer Led Skills

Development to provide support for employees in sectors not covered through academies.

How much did we do?
10 participants enrolled

How well did we do it?
8/10 and 80% completing the programme.
8/10 and 80% completers reporting satisfaction with the project

Is anyone better off?
8/8 and 100% of completers who gained a qualification because of participation on the project
6/8 and 75% of completers moved into higher paid employment

This academy will offer training in a range skills pathways to meet gaps in the local labour market.

Pathways include

• Plant Operations
• Specialist Skills
• Retrofit

How much did we do?
10 participants enrolled

How well did we do it?
8/10 and 80% participants completed the project.
7/8 and 88% of completers reported satisfaction with the project.

Is anyone better off?
8/8 and 100% of completers who gained a qualification because of participation on the project
6/8 and 75% of completers moved into higher paid employment

Disability

Tailored initiatives to support people with disabilities to enter the labour market which will focus on skills development job placement assistance, and partnerships with employers willing to prioritise diversity to help bridge the employment gap.

SP2.16 Work Connections

To provide participants with intensive one-to-one scaffolded approach to support the development of the individual with increasing focus on progressing to employment as they move through each phase.

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

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

How much did we do?
17 participants enrolled
9 employers engaged

How well did we do it?
14/17 and 82% participants completed programme.
12/14 and 86% of completers reported satisfaction with the LMP project.
6/9 and 67% of employers reported satisfaction with the project.

Is anyone better off?
12/14 and 86% of completers reported feeling more confident regarding their employability as a result of participation on the project.
8/12 and 67% of completers gaining new employment.

SP2.18 Start Out 19-24

To provide individual tailored support, further education, training and employment opportunities for young people with SEN

How much did we do?
10 participants enrolled

How well did we do it?
8/10 and 80% participants completed programme.

Is anyone better off?
7/8 and 88% of completers reported feeling more confident regarding their employability because of participation on the project.
6/8 and 75% of completers who reported developing skills because of participation on the project
5/8 and 63% of completers who undertake further education or training following completion of the project.

Increased awareness of existing regional/local employability or skills provision (LMP)

SP3.1 Employability and Well-being Events

To support those seeking to move into education, employment, or training through direct  engagement with local employers training providers.

Working with DfC colleagues on and other appropriate delivery agents

Also working with local Shared Prosperity Funded employability provision to ensure comprehensive support.

How much did we do?
150 attendees at events
25 employability/skills providers engaged

How well did we do it?
65/95 and 68% of attendees  rated the events as helpful for finding work/training opportunities
20/25 and 80% of employability/skills providers reporting satisfaction with event

Is anyone better off?
65/95 and 68% of attendees feel more informed of career opportunities

MEA Science School

Over the year we will deliver a range of events including - employer site visits, practical workshops, competitions, careers fairs & work experience for local secondary schools with the main.

Science School taking place in 2026.

How much did we do?
650 attendees at events
10 employers engaged

How well did we do it?
9/10 and 90% of employers reporting satisfaction with event
135/200 and 68% of attendees surveyed reporting satisfaction with event

Is anyone better off?
135/200 and 68% of attendees surveyed feel more informed of career opportunities

SP3.3 Takeover Days

Working in partnership with key employers to raise awareness of the variety of careers available in these sectors to youth/ secondary school pupils

Takeover Days

LMP will work with local organisations to deliver 3 Industry Takeover Days with local Secondary Schools to provide immersive events that raise awareness of events and career pathway opportunities.

Includes small workshop and insight days for young people who are ‘Education other than at School’.

How much did we do?
180 attendees at 3 events

How well did we do it?
115/180 and 64% of attendees reporting satisfaction with event

Is anyone better off?
115/180 and 64% of attendees feel more informed of career opportunities

SP3.4 NI Apprenticeship Week 2025

Raise awareness of Apprenticeship Programmes

NIAW 2026

Plan and organise 4, schools and stakeholder events and campaign to encourage greater uptake of apprenticeships.

How much did we do?
100 attendees at events

How well did we do it?
65/100 and 65% of attendees reporting satisfaction with event

Is anyone better off?
65/100 and 65% of attendees feel more informed of career opportunities