Working Wales hosted a special event to recognise the importance of working with partner organisations at the new Careers Wales centre in the YMa building in Pontypridd last week.
Opening its doors in July this year, the new careers centre has been welcoming customers for appointments with careers advisers and employability coaches.
Hosted on Thursday 26 October, the event brought the Working Wales team together with partner organisations they work with to support the people of Pontypridd and surrounding areas.
Those attending were able to network and find out more about Working Wales services and Local Market Information, as well as discuss the benefits of working together in partnership.
Michael O’Keefe, a stakeholder engagement manager at Careers Wales, said: “We were delighted to welcome so many of our fantastic partners at the YMa building in Pontypridd.
“Through working in partnership, we can help plan the best next steps for our customers in line with their individual needs and circumstances.
“We’re looking forward to continuing to work together to provide packages of support to people that will make a difference to customers’ futures.”
Attendees included training and apprenticeship providers, careers and employability service providers as well as those who can support customers with overcoming specific barriers to work, including help with the cost of living and homelessness, mental health support and support to build confidence.
These organisations included Jobcentre Plus, The Prince’s Trust, Adult Learning Wales, Valleys Ethnic Minority Support, the Welsh Refugee Council and Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Authority Work and Skills Team.
Nathan Dodd, administration officer of Wales at Papyrus who attended, said “The event was a fantastic networking opportunity where I was able to make contacts with partners across the South Wales valleys, to help extend our reach.”
The full list of organisations who attended was: Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Department of Work and Pensions – Job Centre Plus, Welsh Refugee Council ITEC Skills, ACT, Motivational Preparation College Training (MPCT), Business Wales, Case UK, Prince’s Trust, Coleg Y Cymoedd, Papyrus, Adult Learning Wales, Llamau, Maximus, The Salvation Army, School of Hard Knocks, Valleys Ethnic Minority Support, Educ8 Training, Valleys Steps and Y Prentis.
Working Wales, delivered by Careers Wales, is the Welsh Government’s employability gateway for age 16 plus support.
The Working Wales team at the centre provide a range of free and impartial careers guidance and coaching, from support with sourcing job or apprenticeship opportunities, CVs and applications or upskilling through training and education, through to changing careers and redundancy.
The Pontypridd centre is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 4.30pm and Fridays from 9am to 4pm.
It is located in the newly renovated YMa building (formally YMCA) on Taff Street which is in the heart of the town centre.
