Long-term unemployed
people and potential employers in Swansea have met with Welsh
Assembly Government Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and
Skills, Lesley Griffiths, at the official opening of the flagship
Working Links office in the city.
In the ten years since it was established, Working Links has helped
more than 17,000 people to find and retain employment across Wales,
often after long periods without work.
The refurbished and enlarged facility at Alexandra House, Swansea
is part of the organisation’s £11 million UK-wide investment in new
facilities, equipment and staff training. The investment is
specifically geared towards the delivery of a £120 million Flexible
New Deal contract in South West Wales and the South Wales Valleys
with the Department for Work and Pensions.
Welcoming the Deputy Minister to the office, Deri ap Hywel,
Operations Manager for Working Links in South West Wales, explained
the range of support, mentoring and practical assistance that is
offered to long term unemployed people through Working Links.
He said: “We work with people at a very personal level in a bid to
find out why they are having problems securing and keeping a job.
Only once we understand those issues can we work together to reduce
or remove the barriers to employment, such as confidence, skills,
motivation and financial concerns.”
After touring the facility and meeting with staff, customers and
employers, Lesley Griffiths said Welfare to Work delivery
organisations play a key role in helping people achieve their goals
of sustained employment and helping people overcome barriers to
employment.
“The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to improving social
inclusion, economic participation and the health and wellbeing of
all communities. Working Links and the partnerships it has forged
with Government, the third sector and private sector organisations
is playing an important and substantial role in driving that
agenda.
“Partnership is an important element of the work carried out by
Working Links and is critical to ensuring successful outcomes for
the people it helps. My visit has provided an excellent opportunity
to see first hand how Working Links demonstrates its dedication and
commitment to helping people back to work and this new facility in
the heart of Swansea will bring much needed support and resources
to the area.”
The Deputy Minister met with various Working Links customers,
including Dai Morrell, from Penlan, Swansea. Mr Morrell said: “I
have worked my whole career in construction and found it very
difficult since my last company went under. It is very frustrating
when you are trying to find a job and your efforts just don’t come
to anything. My Working Links consultant has helped me rewrite my
CV and I have a has few interviews already as a result. After 14
months out of work, I am feeling confident about the future.”
Wales Director for Working Links, Marcella Maxwell, said: “We have
worked with around 60,000 people in Wales over the past decade,
improving their lives and their futures through training, support
and job opportunities. This office has only been open a few months
and we are already working with more than 500 customers and 60
employers in the area to create sustainable training, employment
and careers.
“Our partnerships with local businesses is crucial to the support
we offer our customers. It is essential that employers recognise
the wealth of talent that is available to them among long term
unemployed people. Coupled with the bespoke training we offer, that
ready supply of workers is a real benefit to local businesses
seeking to grow.”