A major extension to the Port Talbot based Work Station, an important asset in the drive to help those seeking employment and training, has been officially opened by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Leader Cllr Ted Latham and Chief Executive Karen Jones.
Funded by Neath Port Talbot Council, the Work Station is a ‘one stop shop’ offering practical hands-on help to people who want to get into a job through training, work experience, career advice, volunteering and one-to-one employment support.
On Friday,(Dec 10th, 2021) the council’s Leader and Chief Executive, with Deputy Leader Cllr Leanne Jones and Director of Environment and Regeneration Nicola Pearce, visited the new extension, based in two previously unused buildings at the Work Station site, which is close the centre of Port Talbot and just a short distance from the town’s Central Bus Station.
Funded by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Town Centre Transformation match funding and from a Welsh Government Property Enhancement Grant, the extension means one of the transformed buildings now houses a modern, comfortable meeting area while the other will be used for training, conferences and other activities aimed at supporting people into work.
Home to the employment support services Workways+, Communities for Work, Parents Childcare and Employment (PaCE) and Careers Wales, the wealth of support available in one building makes the Work Station a unique resource available to people in Neath and Port Talbot seeking training and employment support.
Using the extra space created by the extension, staff at the Work Station plan to offer a range of extra services including job skills training and wellbeing help and there will also be a stock of clothes available for job seekers to use for interviews if needed.
Cllr Latham said: “The Work Station makes the challenge of getting into a job far less daunting and it’s good to see this vital facility now expanding, allowing it to offer more services in modern surroundings.”
Chief Executive Karen Jones added: “As we become involved in the process of economic recovery from the pandemic, offering a range of practical employment and training solutions under one roof will be a major benefit to anyone wanting to find work as the economy grows.”
Partner organisations have been invited to view the new extension on Monday, December 13th and Tuesday, December 14th and on Wednesday 15th it will be home to a jobs fayre and an opportunity for local residents to visit and speak to the team about future activities.
If you would like support contact the Work Station on 01639 684250 for an appointment or email [email protected]
The Work Station is open from Monday to Thursday 9am -5pm and Friday 9am – 4.30pm and is located in Water Street SA126LF, near Blanco’s Hotel. Ample free car parking is available.
