A new support centre in the heart of Port Talbot has been launched by the Community Union to support steelworkers affected by the closure of the blast furnaces at Tata Steel Port Talbot.
The Community Union leads what it describes as an ambitious partnership with the Welsh Government, Careers Wales, the Department for Work and Pensions, Neath Port Talbot Employability, Acorn employment agency, UK Steel Enterprise and Google Digital Garage, which has successfully established the Support Centre in Port Talbot’s Aberafan Shopping Centre.
At the launch, Roy Rickhuss CBE, general secretary of the Community Union, commented: “The closure of the blast furnaces was a devastating day for our industry, steelworkers, and the whole of Port Talbot. This is not the outcome we wanted to see, and we know a different future was possible. But our focus must now be on how best to support everyone affected, and on delivering serious investment and high quality jobs for the entire town of Port Talbot.
Jo Stevens Secretary of State for Wales, described the Support Centre as a one-stop-shop to help deliver the support to workers affected by the changes at Tata Steel. She added: “I am determined to do everything I can to support workers and businesses who are affected by the changes at Tata Steel. That’s why this renewed partnership of governments, unions and the local council is working together to make sure the town gets what it needs."
Rebecca Evans Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, who met with steelworkers, as well as Community staff and its partners, who together are delivering employment services at the Support Centre, said that the centre, which was part-funded by the Welsh Government, will provide the best and widest support possible and is there for the people bearing the brunt of Tata's decisions.
“The closure of the blast furnaces was a devastating day for our industry, steelworkers, and the whole of Port Talbot. This is not the outcome we wanted to see, and we know a different future was possible.
Rick Royhuss, general secretary, Community Union.
"It will work alongside the employability hubs which have already been set up and the funding which is being made available by the UK Government’s £80m transition fund," she said, adding "We will continue to do everything we can, alongside our Transition Board partners, to provide the right assistance and support for everyone who needs it," said Evans.
According to the Community Union, the closure of the blast furnaces and mass redundancies at the steelworks, and the loss of so many high quality jobs to the area, will have a huge knock on impact on the local economy and community. "Above all, the job cuts at Tata Steel are devastating for the workforce, and we know it can be hard to know where to turn for employment advice and support," Community added.
Through the Support Centre, the Community Union and its partners claim they will be able to deliver training and employment support for impacted workers, whether they are union members or not. The training and support will be geared towards helping individuals to further their careers and find new job opportunities in Port Talbot and the surrounding areas.