Outsourcing contact centre Conduit has been recognized for best practice in recruitment at the annual Local Employment Partnership (LEP) awards at a celebration ceremony hosted by Jobcentre Plus. Conduit’s Paul Fitzpatrick picked up an award for commitment to recruiting through LEPs- the Government’s new partnership approach to helping disadvantaged jobseekers back into work.

The awards recognise the outstanding contributions made by employers, employees and partners in South East Wales involved in LEPs and were presented by Jobcentre Plus Director for Wales Linda Badman at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. The award reflects Conduit’s commitment to the recruitment of a diverse workforce to provide outsourced customer service solutions for house hold names like Vodafone, Sky and 118 The Number.

The government has set a target of placing 250,000 long-term unemployed into jobs through LEPs by 2010. Paul Fitzpatrick of Conduit, said: “We are delighted to win an award which recognizes our commitment to fair recruitment practices. At Conduit, we like to think our workforce reflects the customer base we serve and we offer flexible working patterns tailored to the needs of a cross-section of the community including students, single parents and returners to the workplace.

Linda Badman, said: “I would like to extend my congratulations to Conduit. 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 Local Employment Partnerships.”