Community Support Centre opens for those affected by Tata transition
10 October, 2024
A new Community Support Centre opened in Aberafan Shopping Centre to provide support, guidance and retraining advice to individuals and businesses impacted by the decision by Tata Steel UK to transition to greener steelmaking at Port Talbot.
Our Chair, Sarah Williams-Gardener, attended the launch of the Community Support Centre yesterday.
The facility, being opened by the union Community with funding support from Welsh Government, will support and provide bespoke advice to Tata and supply chain workers, their families and affected businesses with bespoke advice and a single, physical point of contact.
Visiting the Community Support Centre yesterday, Secretary of State for Wales and Chair of the Tata Transition Board Jo Stevens said:
“This innovative hub will act as a one-stop-shop to help deliver the support to workers affected by the changes at Tata steel.
“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.
“The funding from the UK Government, via the Transition Board, is already making a difference. We know there is still a huge amount of work to do, but we are already seeing people successfully placed in new jobs as a direct result of the £13.5 million that we made available.”
Also visiting the Support Centre, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans said:
“We would all prefer to be in a position where this Community Support Centre wasn’t necessary. But, it’s important that we work together as we look towards the future and ensure that the very best and widest support possible is there for people bearing the brunt of Tata’s decisions.
“This Centre – part funded by Welsh Government – will provide just that. 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 £80 million transition fund.
“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.”
Sarah Williams-Gardener, Chair of FinTech Wales and independent member of the Transition Board, said:
“The Community Support Centre has a crucial role in advising those affected by the transition at Tata, offering guidance on training, business support, investment funding, and, importantly, mental health support.
“The hub should also act as a convener. There is strong enthusiasm within the business community to provide support, and having a central place for this activity allows us to maximise the impact. FinTech Wales is proud to support the community hub, given our track record of delivering initiatives that help individuals pivot their careers into the tech sector. We welcome collaborative ideas from our members, many of whom are eager to share their work opportunities.”