A new Community Support Centre has opened at Aberafan Shopping Centre 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.
The facility, 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.
This will include directing people towards the help that’s available from the Employment Support Fund. This fund is backed by the UK Government’s recent release of £13.5 million from the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board, and is to help individual workers to find jobs, learn new skills and gain qualifications in areas where there are vacancies.
Key information and support will be available from advisors from a range of agencies and organisations, including Neath Port Talbot Employability, Careers Wales, Department of Work and Pensions, UKSE and Acorn.
The Support Centre will be open Monday to Friday for all affected by Tata’s decision to end primary steel production at its Port Talbot site, including those working at supply chain firms and those living beyond the Neath Port Talbot area.
Supply chain businesses impacted by the transition to electric arc steelmaking at Port Talbot are being invited to seek funding to overcome short term challenges during the transition phase, as well as helping businesses refocus in preparation for new growth opportunities.
The Supply Chain Transition Flexible Fund being facilitated by Business Wales and Neath Port Talbot Council is part of an overall £80 million support fund provided by UK Government through the cross-government transition board.
A digital information hub signposting support for workers and businesses impacted by the transition is available at Tata Steel Transition Information Hub - Neath Port Talbot Council (npt.gov.uk).