The winners of the first annual Local Employment Partnership (LEP) awards have been announced at an awards ceremony hosted by former Apprentice winner, Tim Campbell.
HRZone.co.uk first reported on the shortlist last month and can now reveal that Debenhams, Marriott Hotels and Tesco have all won an award.
The awards recognise the outstanding contributions made by employers, employees and partners involved in LEPs, which is the government’s new partnership approach to helping disadvantaged jobseekers back into work.
Supermarket giant Tesco was highlighted for its store in Aston, which recruited 64% of its workforce through its LEP; while Nissan Motors in Sunderland won the partnership award for best practice in partnership working.
Stephen Timms, minister for employment and welfare reform, said: “I would like to extend my congratulations to each of the winners. Each of the winning employers has gone that extra mile to help some of the most disadvantaged jobseekers back into work, and is an example to other employers of the way that local businesses and communities can benefit from LEPs.”
The winners were selected by a judging panel, drawn from the public and private sector, including John Cridland, deputy director general CBI and Jackie Orme, chief executive CIPD, and chaired by Stephen Timms.
For further information about the awards, please visit: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/jcp/employers/lep/awards
