Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE has announced that its ongoing Support Programme for Wales has exceeded expectations, so far investing £3 million and creating 400 jobs.
The Programme was launched last summer in response to changes as Tata Steel moves to greener steel-making at its Port Talbot plant with a £1.25 billion investment in the new Electric Arc Furnace.
Many of the 84 companies supported are in the Port Talbot and Swansea area, while the others are across South Wales.
“Our strategy is to stimulate the jobs market by identifying businesses with growth potential that can create the jobs of the future,” said UKSE Area Manager Rob Barber. “We took a flexible approach aimed at making a swift response in order to make a significant impact on the local economy.
“We committed considerable resources to the Programme, both in terms of personnel and finance, and I am delighted to say we have exceeded our expectations and the response from both employers, and new start-up businesses, has been excellent.”
Just under 50 start-ups have received grants and loans, many of them launched by former workers at the plant such as Coffi Portablo, the colourful and inviting coffee venue in Aberavon Shopping Centre run by Vichuda and Cassius Walker-Hunt. The loan enabled Cassius to buy a commercial refrigerator, coffee blenders and other equipment. “It has been very useful indeed and has helped get the business off the ground,” he said.
A further 30 companies have benefitted from loans to enable them to bring their business plans forward with speed.
Port Talbot based JES, an important contractor to the steelworks over many years, has launched an academy to train former steelworkers and others in welding and fabrication skills backed with a £200,000 loan from UKSE.
Businesses supported cover a diverse range of sectors – environmental, well-being and mental health support, innovation in industrial equipment, heavy industry, personal care, sportswear, landscaping and many others.
To deliver the programme UKSE in Wales increased the size of its Investment team, bringing in Regional Executives Michelle Noble and Alan Jenkins to work alongside Howard Thompson, under the leadership of experienced former commercial banker Rob Barber.
“Working closely with other agencies I am confident that UKSE has made a significant and useful contribution to helping the local economy move ahead and mitigate the changes that have occurred. There is of course more to be done and the UKSE Support Programme is set to continue and support job creation in Port Talbot and South Wales,” said Mr Barber.
