GEMS NI

Mission Statement

Our Values, Ethics and Practice Principles

GEMS NI is committed to providing impartial, independent advice, information and guidance which is wholly relevant to individual circumstances. GEMS NI has based its services on the standards laid down by the National IAG Board Principles for coherent delivery in information, advice and guidance services.

We have a clear understanding of the nature and complexity of the issues and barriers that unemployed people experience. Very often such barriers can be multiple and tend to include some or all of the following:

• Lack of confidence

• Low self esteem

• Low motivation

• Little or no work experience

• Few or no qualifications or "marketable" experience/training

• Few or under developed generic skills for work

• Essential skill/ESOL requirements

• Home/family/relationship issues affecting employability/job maintenance

• Gaps in employment history

Providing a strong business case to employers

GEMS NI appreciates the importance of developing and maintaining a strategic and dynamic platform with employers – international, European, national, regional, SME's, micro-businesses and incoming businesses including FDI companies. We provide pre-employment programmes which are directly aligned with employers' competency frameworks.

Ensuring our service is fit for purpose for all our clients

GEMS NI also works within the European Framework which enables free movement of labour between EU member states. To meet the emerging need we have developed a range of employability supports for migrant workers including a dedicated worker and Language for Work programmes

Why we do what we do

GEMS NI is committed to bringing "people to jobs and jobs to people”. GEMS NI strives to promote social inclusion in the labour market and respects the client's right to freedom of career choice and freely chosen employment choice within the constraints and realities of the labour market.

Our Objectives

• To improve the potential of the unemployed and especially the long-term unemployed to gain employment in the economy generally and specially in their own areas;

• To provide a structured programme of advice and support in career planning for those who are long-term unemployed;

• To support specific training, education, employment and work experience opportunities for the long-term unemployed which will help to promote their integration into the labour market;

• To provide additional support to facilitate participation in and benefit from education, including at primary level, for those at risk of early school leaving and under achievement leading to exclusion;

• To support and develop linkages between employers, local communities and the relevant support agencies;

• To enhance the capacity of local communities to participate fully in local development and to counter social exclusion

Reaching the hardest to reach

GEMS NI provides employability outreach support services at Neighbourhood level – providing on the ground support to those furthest from the labour market and developing local information, knowledge and skills points in areas of high social and economic disadvantage.