Closure of Retraining Facility for Tata Steelworkers Sparks Concerns Over Job Support

In a significant development concerning job retraining for steelworkers in Port Talbot, Whitehead-Ross, a company providing retraining courses, has shut its office in the town due to the impending end of the UK government’s Multiply programme. This programme, aimed at enhancing numeracy skills for adults, will conclude in March, leading to the redundancy of 16 staff members.

Tata Steel, which had announced the reduction of 2,800 jobs, primarily affecting Port Talbot, had relied on such retraining initiatives. Over the past two years, Whitehead-Ross has successfully assisted 1,200 adult learners, helping around 40 individuals transition back into work in the face of redundancies from Tata.

Ian Ross, the chief executive of Whitehead-Ross, expressed concern about the diminishing support available for reskilling and reiterated the necessity of investment in services to address the employment challenges faced by the community. Local political figures, including Sioned Williams of Plaid Cymru, underscored the value of these retraining efforts in helping people re-enter the workforce.

While the UK government extended the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) for another year, President of Colleges Wales highlighted worries regarding the sector’s capacity to fulfill ongoing community aspirations post-funding expiry. Jo Stevens, the Welsh Secretary, assured that substantial funding would still be accessible for local steelworkers, including a recent announcement of an £8.2 million investment aimed at creating 100 new jobs. However, questions remain on the adequacy of support, as ongoing discussions about replacing the SPF continue between UK and Welsh officials.

Overall, this closure illustrates the precarious nature of funding and support for workforce retraining, leaving many in the community anxious about future job prospects.