Neath Port Talbot Council has officially opened its newest Opportunity Hub in Neath town centre, providing a drop-in centre for residents seeking advice and guidance about employment and training opportunities.
Located at 8 Wind Street (next to Boots), the hub is a drop-in centre (open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm) offering free advice and guidance through the council’s NPT Employability service. Support includes help with job searching, CV writing, interview preparation, volunteering, work placements, one-to-one mentoring, and signposting to other organisations offering specialist support.
The opening of the Opportunity Hub coincided with the UK Government’s announcement of an £80 million funding boost for mental health counselling and CV coaching, aimed at helping people back into work across Wales and England. Neath Port Talbot was selected as one of the pilot areas in Wales to deliver the inactivity trailblazer scheme, to tackle the root causes of economic inactivity such as poor mental health, low skills, and social isolation.
Access to the trailblazer scheme will be available through the Opportunity Hubs in Neath and Port Talbot, making it easier for residents who are economically inactive or unemployed to receive the support they need.
The Neath hub was officially opened on Thursday 16th October by Councillor Steve Hunt, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, alongside Pat McFadden MP (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions), Jo Stevens MP (Secretary of State for Wales), and Jack Sargeant MS (Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, Welsh Government).
Councillor Steve Hunt said: “We are pleased to open our second Opportunity Hub in Neath, building on the success of our first hub in Port Talbot. These hubs are a vital part of our commitment to offering employment support to those who need help to find work, especially those who are hardest to reach. This support is accessible for all and is about giving people the tools, confidence and guidance they need to take that next step.”
Councillor Jeremy Hurley, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economic Growth, added: “The Opportunity Hub is more than just a place to get advice – it’s a gateway to new possibilities. Whether someone is looking to develop new skills, gain experience through volunteering, or simply needs help navigating the job market, the hub is here to support them every step of the way.”
The Opportunity Hub in Neath follows the successful launch of the first Opportunity Hub at Aberavon Shopping Centre in Port Talbot, which has already helped hundreds of residents access employment support including those affected from the recent Tata transition.
