About Us
Established in 1998 by Longford Community Resources Clg and the Longford and District Council of Trade Unions, the Employment Development and Information Centre (EDI Centre) is affiliated with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).
Managed by a voluntary committee representing Longford Employment Action Group, Longford Community Resources Clg, Longford and District Council of Trade Unions, and other Community and National Groups, the EDI Centre values equality, justice, and diversity.
We are committed to positive social change, working in partnership, and adopting a community development approach.
We’re dedicated to empowering and developing the people of County Longford and surrounding areas.
Our mission is to facilitate access to education, training, information, and employment opportunities that improve individual well-being and contribute to the welfare of families and the broader community.
Our primary goal is to support those currently unemployed or under-employed. Through our ongoing collaboration with state agencies, we’ve built crucial links to secure maximum support for our clients.
Lack of information access is a significant barrier for unemployed individuals, making our role as a ‘one-stop shop’ vital in offering quality services.
With experience dating back to the 1990s, we’ve developed expertise in the local labor market and support services provided by state agencies.
Our aim is to provide equal opportunities in education, training, and employment, helping individuals realize their full potential.
Our focus
We focus on information provision and dissemination, pre-employment supports, education and training courses, Job Assist Service, Typing service, outreach services to rural areas and the Revamp 3RStore, a furniture collection and recycling service.
Currently we are running two highly successful Sláintecare Healthy Communities initiatives, namely, Healthy Food Made Easy (HFME) and We Quit (WCQ).
With a central location, trained staff and established links with statutory agencies, the EDI Centre provides a responsive and progressive service to the local community in County Longford.
Strengths of the EDI Centre
- Experience staff and management committee
- Expertise and support from ICTU, INOU, SOLAS, DSP, LCRL, LCDC
- Centrally located purpose-built building
- A wide range of services and supports for clients
- Long-term backup and support for clients
- Knowledge of local labour market and local issues
- Proven record of client progression
- Excellent track record of delivering effective services
- High regard from the local community
- Established links with statutory agencies
- Effective use of resources for maximum client benefit
- Community based with impartial advice
- Encourages ongoing staff training
- Good relationships with rural communities allowing Outreach Programmes
Our values
We are committed to:
- equality, justice and promoting diversity
- positive social change to address poverty and exclusion
- working in partnership and adopting a community development approach
- pursuing social, environmental and economic sustainability for all
The EDI Centre values its staff and volunteers as the key resources, is an independent and non-party political organization, empowers individuals to take charge of their own development, strives for excellence in providing high-quality services, and conducts its business in an open, honest, transparent, and accountable way to its members and stakeholders.
Committed to the principle of equality and diversity in the community, the EDI Centre provides opportunities to empower individuals in making informed choices about their own education, training, and employment needs.
