New Employment & Skills Fund to Support Tata Steel UK Workers and Supply Chain Employees in Wales

New Employment & Skills Fund to Support Tata Steel UK Workers and Supply Chain Employees in Wales

In response to the impact of Tata Steel UK’s transformation programme, a new initiative—the ‘Employment & Skills Flexible Fund’—has been launched to support workers across Wales who have been made redundant from Tata Steel UK, its supply chain businesses, or associated contractors. This £13.5 million UK Government-funded programme is managed by the Tata Steel Transition Board and aims to help affected workers re-skill and secure new employment.

The fund, available to workers in Wales, provides grants for training, upskilling, and other forms of practical support. Individual grants can be used for various needs, including training costs, exam fees, licences, tools for self-employment, and more. The amount awarded will depend on the nature of the support needed:

• Grants of up to £1,000 for guaranteed new jobs
• Grants of up to £10,000 for skills development and qualifications leading to a meaningful new career
• Specialist qualifications, with grants considered up to £20,000 on a case-by-case basis

This programme complements Tata Steel UK’s own £20 million outplacement programme to assist workers facing redundancy.

Neath Port Talbot (NPT), where significant job losses are expected, has increased the capacity of its Employability service to manage the demand. One of the first to benefit from the fund was Gareth Ness, a former Tata Steel Port Talbot employee. After attending a local jobs fair and receiving guidance from NPT’s employability service, Gareth secured a trial placement with a software and data analytics company.

“This is a really tough time, but help is available. I’d encourage anyone facing redundancy to reach out for support,” said Gareth.

The fund is administered by Neath Port Talbot Council but is available to workers across Wales through local authority employability services.

Council Leader Cllr Steve Hunt emphasized the fund’s broad reach, urging affected workers, including those in the supply chain, to contact their local support services.

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Planning, Rebecca Evans, reiterated the government’s commitment to offering long-term support, while Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens celebrated the initiative’s early successes.

Local face-to-face support is available in Port Talbot through NPT Employability drop-in centres, and additional assistance is available online, offering resources to affected workers across Wales.