A new community support centre has been established in Port Talbot to assist those impacted by the recent job losses at Tata Steel in the town. Situated in the Aberafan Shopping Centre, the centre was inaugurated on October 9, following the shutdown of the site’s blast furnaces, affecting nearly 3,000 workers who now face redundancy. The facility is operated by the Community Union, funded by the Welsh Government, and aims to offer guidance and support to Tata Steel employees, supply chain workers, their families, and other affected businesses.
The primary focus of the centre is to aid individuals in finding new job opportunities and acquiring new skills in sectors with job vacancies. It will also provide information about the assistance available from the Employment Support Fund, which has received £13.5m from the UK Government through the Tata Steel/Port Talbot Transition Board. The support centre will be accessible to the public from Monday to Friday, offering services from various agencies including Neath Port Talbot Employability, Careers Wales, UKSE, and Acorn.
During a visit to the centre, Secretary of State for Wales and Chair of the Tata Transition Board, Jo Stevens, highlighted the importance of the hub in delivering support to affected workers. Emphasizing the collaborative efforts of governments, unions, and the local council, Stevens expressed determination to assist impacted individuals and businesses. The funding allocated by the UK Government through the transition board has already begun to make a positive impact, with people successfully securing new employment opportunities.
Neath Port Talbot Council Leader, Steve Hunt, welcomed the support centre as a valuable addition to the suite of support measures being developed by the transition board for Tata employees and supply chain companies. The initiative aims to provide holistic support to the community during this challenging period. The community support centre is a testament to the commitment of various stakeholders to address the needs of those affected by the changes at Tata Steel.
In a joint effort to mitigate the impact of the job losses, the establishment of the support centre exemplifies a proactive approach to aiding individuals and businesses through transitional periods. As the centre begins its operations, it is poised to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by the recent developments at Tata Steel in Port Talbot.