• Taking a partnership approach to better meet the needs of clients;
• Coming together through regular meetings and conferences to share good practice, identify common issues and plan new services;
• Jointly accessing funding from a range of sources to deliver new services and create new opportunities;
• Providing the information, training and support to meet the needs of employers and potential employees;
• Providing an up-to-date online portal for information about all aspects of employability.
  The network will also provide agencies based in and / or working in Midlothian with a stronger collective voice at a regional level, in terms of buying into wider employment focused initiatives and attracting new resources to the area.

MEAN and its member organisations work on behalf of people:

• Of all ages who have been out of work a long time, or lack qualifications, or need help to improve basic skills to meet the needs of the modern workplace
  
• With disabilities or long-term health problems
  
• With a history of drug or alcohol related problems
  
• With a history of offending, homelessness, or have come through the Care System lone carers
  
• Who are unemployed and 50+
  
• Single parents
  
• Young people who are not in employment, education or training