**Company Assisting Tata Steelworkers in Retraining Closes Port Talbot Office**
A company offering retraining services to Tata steelworkers has reportedly shut down its office in Port Talbot, disrupting ongoing support to workers. Whitehead-Ross, the company in question, has been delivering courses to over 1,200 adult learners in south Wales, backed by funding from the UK government’s Multiply programme through local authorities. However, the closure of its Port Talbot base comes as the Multiply programme is scheduled to conclude in March. This decision will result in the redundancy of 16 staff members.
Chief executive of Whitehead-Ross, Ian Ross, expressed concerns over the impact of the closure, highlighting the imperative need in Wales to re-engage economically inactive individuals back into the workforce. Ross emphasised that sustaining such support is crucial, asserting that addressing these challenges requires investment in services rather than cuts. The UK government has extended a broader funding scheme, ensuring steelworkers can access upskilling assistance through a separate transition fund designated for those affected at Tata.
While the dedicated funding for the Multiply programme is winding down, Welsh local authorities have been granted autonomy to utilise their Shared Prosperity Fund allocation, including for adult numeracy programmes. This flexibility has been welcomed by councils, with the Welsh Local Government Association acknowledging the previous constraints of the Multiply funding on numeracy schemes. Neath Port Talbot Council is committed to playing a pivotal role in aiding businesses and individuals impacted by changes at Tata Steel, following the allocation of £13.5 million from the Tata Steel/Port Talbot Transition Board fund.
Established in 2023, the Transition Board aims to assist those affected by transformations at the Tata steelworks site in Port Talbot. Council leader Steve Hunt underscored the council’s dedication to supporting the community through these changes. The closure of the retraining company’s office underscores broader concerns about the future of industrial workers in Wales and the vital role of ongoing support mechanisms.
In response to these developments, the UK government reaffirmed its commitment to assisting steelworkers during this period of transition. The closure of the retraining company’s office serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by workers in transitioning industries and the importance of sustained support structures. The shifting landscape in Port Talbot serves as a microcosm of the broader economic shifts impacting industrial regions across the UK.
As discussions continue on the future of retraining efforts in Port Talbot and beyond, stakeholders stress the necessity of maintaining support for workers facing industry disruptions. The closure of the office underscores the complexities involved in reskilling and retraining workers in evolving industries. The uncertainties surrounding the closure of the Port Talbot office highlight the ongoing need for robust, adaptable support systems to navigate the ever-changing economic landscape.