GEMS NI

Established in 2002 to address long term unemployment and economic inactivity in East and South Belfast GEMS NI (formerly Belfast GEMS) has developed to become a service that is recognised as delivering excellence in employment and employability interventions.  It is frequently held up as a model of best practice in employability services with long-term unemployed/economically inactive people and those who experience disadvantage in the labour market.

To date we have worked with over 6000 people predominantly from East and South Belfast who have experienced labour market disadvantage and helped nearly 2000 people move from long-term unemployment, economic inactivity and worklessness to employment.

Our successful track record in working with long-term unemployed, economically inactive and workless people and others who experience labour market disadvantage is underpinned by our clear and purposeful commitment that every client will upon engaging with our service be supported encouraged and enabled and were necessary challenged to:

• Understand the changing labour market
• Be aware of their career options and routes  
• Develop their personal career planning skills 
• Recognise their own potential to become economically self-sufficient through sustainable employment
• Acquire and upgrade the skills they need to enhance their employability
• Raise their career expectations and aspirations to match their potential 
• Overcome barriers to the achievement of their potential

Organisational Focus

GEMS NI has a clear and unequivocal focus on moving people from long-term unemployment, economic inactivity and worklessness to work – the sustainable employment and progression in employment of people who experience labour market disadvantage is our overarching imperative.

For the past seven years we have built upon the knowledge and experience brought by our Chief Executive, Senior Team (who have all worked together to design, develop and deliver innovative employment programmes since January 2002) and with our experienced and highly visible guidance practitioners and mentors can demonstrate a creditable track record and organisational expertise in the development, design and delivery of innovative services and products which help people into work. 

We don’t do this on our own and have enhanced our knowledge capital through our establishing of and participation in partnerships and networks which reflect the legislative, policy, and research, practice context which assist unemployed and economically inactive people to gain sustainable work and support them to stay in work.  Our work with all our clients is founded on:

Respect

By this we mean respect for the client’s starting point and their ability with our support, knowledge and expertise to invest in meaningful work which will enable them to successfully make the transition from unemployment to economic self-sufficiency through sustainable employment.  Word of mouth is one of our most successful ways of getting new client referrals.

By this we also mean that we respect that employers we work with need to be confident that by working with us we will understand their business needs which overarching require them to recruit people who will help to make their businesses successful be those businesses in the Public, Private or Voluntary Sectors.   We generate “repeat business” of employers many of whom have had a long term commitment with us which goes beyond their recruitment requirements for example, HM Identity and Passport Service, Translink, Allstate NI, IKEA, PriceWaterHouseCoopers, Queens University, gem Global and Debenhams.

The Impartiality of our Service Provision

GEMS services are provided by highly qualified skilled staff providing impartial services entirely focused on what options will best meet the client’s needs and requirements.  We are a matrix accredited organisation and uphold this quality standard which underpins our service and can confirm that our service is impartial, i.e. objective, free from bias or prejudice, free from preconceived opinions, not favouring a particular option or route and not suggesting any particular course of action for clients from which we or any other organisation/individual could gain advantage.

Our Knowledge and Expertise

GEMS NI has a highly qualified and experienced and talented team who work together to ensure that all clients get the best possible service and results. All our Personal Mentors are Careers Guidance professionals (qualified to NVQ IV or equivalent/higher) and all have extensive experience in delivering one to one guidance, group work and training to long term unemployed, economically inactive and workless clients.