The EDI is managed by a voluntary committee who are responsible for all decisions regarding the management of the Centre. This committee includes representation from Longford Employment Action Group, Longford Community Resources Clg, Longford and District Council of Trade Unions and other Community and National Groups.
Our overall aim is to meet the needs of people who are at present unemployed or under-employed.
Through our constant contact and work with all state agencies in County Longford we have built up vital links which enable us to secure the maximum level of support for our clients.
Our ability to act as a ‘one stop shop’ is important in offering clients a quality service as lack of access to information is one of the key barriers to progression amongst unemployed people.
Our current staffing levels allow us to provide a range of services to our clients. These services are being expanded, subject to funding, to meet identified needs. It is our experience that a client visiting the Centre to source information on one topic and will learn of other opportunities that are available to them for example, the Jobs Seeking Service or Mediation service.
Our objectives
The objectives of the Employment Development Information Centre are:
- To inform unemployed people of their rights
- To campaign for change
- To provide practical services which assist welfare dependent people to find employment
- To provide education and training at introductory, progressive and advanced levels
Community Employment Programme
The EDI Centre employs approximately 40 staff who participate on a CE programme, some of these staff members are based in the EDI Centre itself and others are based in community organisations located at various locations in County Longford.
Our CE Staff based throughout the County are in community organisations such as Centre for Independent Living which provides people with disabilities the opportunity to access greater independence and life choices through the assistance of a Personal Assistant, Attic House Teen Project which provides a safe secure environment for young people to meet where they are encouraged to engage in constructive developmental activities, Acorn Project which offers one to one counselling services on Marriage/Drugs/Mental Health issues & Bereavement. Acorn also run a Man’s & Women’s Group, Meals on Wheels which engages in the provision of home cooked nutritious meals to older people, Springlawn Development which provides assistance to the Springlawn area and wider community and Longford Mental Health Centre which provides a day care service for people experiencing Mental Health problems.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) Community Employment (CE) programme is a positive initiative which is vital in assisting unemployed and those furthest from the labour market with job seeking endeavours, training and education, while supporting other organisation to provide vital services across the county.
click here for information on the Community Employment Programme from the gov.ie website or click here for an information video on the Jobs Ireland website
EDI Centre is highly dedicated to providing a variety of training courses for individuals wanting employment, career changes, better opportunities and upskilling in areas such as catering, engineering, medical technology and biopharmaceuticals taught by experienced professionals. Funding may also be provided through EDI and special services for mature students wishing to resume academic studies at third level.
As CE Staff member of EDI Centre, I thank the support of my supervisor who encouraged me to complete BA degree in Business Enterprise and Community Learning with AIT and Equal Ireland through blended learning. I grew in confidence and knowledge and progress into self-employment. I recommend EDI Centre as a learning organisation to advance your career opportunities.
I worked as a Clerical Assistant at the Employment, Development & Information Centre, Longford and was employed there for one year. As a college graduate I have had difficulty securing employment relevant to my chosen career and I am still working to achieve this goal, the EDI staff are warm, friendly, encouraging and enthusiastic in helping people achieve their goals.
