Port Talbot Support Centre

It can be hard to know where to turn for employment advice and support – we’re here to help! Our Support Centre has been set up to support the people of Port Talbot to start, develop and grow their careers. Whether you’re a Community member or not, we’re here to help you.

To book onto one of our Support Centre courses, please email us at learnwales@community-tu.org, or call us on 02920660655. Alternatively, come and visit us at Support Centre, Aberafan Shopping Centre, Port Talbot, SA13 1PB.

If you are unsure of your learning needs, fill out this form, and the Community Learn team will contact you to build a bespoke learning plan for you.

Support & advice

We all have moments in our careers where we need some support and advice on what to do next, but sometimes it can be hard to know where to turn or who to ask. That’s where we come in.

Community Union will have staff on hand to provide you with support and advice on how to move your career forwards. We can advise and assist in accessing training opportunities and funding so you can develop the skills that you need to stand out in the job market or improve your opportunities at work. We’ll also be delivering in-house training on a range of subjects from how to write an effective CV to Mental Health First Aid.

If you’re looking for where to go next in your career, we’ll also be advertising a wide range of local jobs to either help you get back into work or to take the next step in your career. Speak to a member of the Community team today to find out what we can offer you.

Upcoming courses and workshops

Each month, we will hold workshops and courses designed to develop your skills and employability. Please see below for upcoming dates.

• Tuesday 2nd September – Building Blocks (2pm-5pm)
• Thursday 4th September – Crisis (2pm-5pm)
• Friday 5th September – Drive Wales (9am-1pm)
• Tuesday 9th September – Housing Justice (2pm-5pm)
• Thursday 11th September – Bulldogs (2pm-5pm)
• Friday 12th September – SCVS – Sorted Supported (9am-1pm)
• Tuesday 16th September – Neath Port Talbot CVS (2pm-5pm)
• Thursday 18th September – Citizens Advice (2pm-5pm)
• Friday 19th September – Neath Port Talbot CVS (9am-1pm)
• Tuesday 23rd September – Me, Myself and I (2pm-5pm)
• Friday 26th September – Thrive DA (9am-1pm)
• Friday 26th September – Google AI Training (9.25am-2.10pm). Book here.
• Tuesday 30th September – Neath Port Talbot CVS (2pm-5pm)

Working in partnership for your community

We’re not just working alone to deliver for your community, we’ve brought together a wide range of partners to deliver services for you. Read below to see what’s on offer within our Support Centre:

Department for Work and Pensions (Mon, 9am-5pm)

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be working with us to support you in getting back into work and accessing the support you need in your day-to-day life. DWP will have an advisor based at the Support Centre once a week to support job searching, accessing benefits, CV support and state pension advice.

Acorn by Synergie (Tues and Thur, 9am-5pm)

The Acorn by Synergie team want to work with you to find your next role and will have an advisor based at the Support Centre at least once a week to advertise job vacancies, provide CV support and to help individuals fill in their applications. They will be there to fully support you in taking the next step in your career.

Careers Wales (Mon and Wed, 10am-5pm)

Careers Wales wants to make the process of searching and applying for jobs as smooth as possible for you. They will have an advisor based at the Support Centre to support you in planning your next steps and overcoming any barriers that may be holding you back from taking that next career step. Additionally, you can get advice on applying for funding streams for training such as Personal Learning Account and React Plus.

Business Wales (Tue and Thurs, 10am-5pm)

Business Wales is the Welsh Government’s bilingual business support service for Welsh micro-businesses and SMEs including social enterprises, and aspiring entrepreneurs of all ages to access the information, advice and support needed to help you start and grow your businesses.

Business Wales can provide support if you are considering self-employment or starting your own business. Our Business advisory team can provide a range of business information and business advice through workshops and one-to-one meetings, to help you review your ideas and prepare business plans, as well as accessing business finance.

NPT Employability (Mon to Fri, 9am-5pm)

We all need a bit of guidance now and then, or someone to bounce our ideas off. That’s why it’s important to have someone you can trust to provide the guidance you need. NPT Employability will have a member of staff in our Support Centre five days a week to provide careers advice, signpost you to paid job experiences, job coaching, Employer Liaison Officers, access to training, local labour market intelligence, skills and job matching and online digital support for those that need support to apply online. You will also be able to get advice on how to access the Supply Chain and Skills Fund being released by the Transition Board for training.

Google

The way in which we work and apply for jobs is changing and Google want to help support you in that change. That’s why twice a month they’ll be providing training on how to use AI to boost your CV and support your career moving forward.

Third Sector (Fri 9am-5pm)

A range of various charities are on hand throughout Friday to support you on all manner of issues and queries. These charities are NPT MIND, Warm Wales, Bulldogs BCA NPT CVS, Build Blocks Family Centre and Citizens Advice.

NPT Business Team (Fri 10am-4pm)

The Council’s Economic Development team aims to support new and existing businesses affected by the Tata Steel Transition to greener steel making to start, grow and innovate. Our highly skilled officers can provide one to one advice and guidance for your business or organisation, regardless of size or sector, whilst keeping you up to date on all the latest funding and networking opportunities across Neath Port Talbot and beyond. See here for further information.

Employment and Skills Flexible Fund

If you live in Wales and have recently been made redundant from Tata Steel UK, a company within its supply chain, or other associated contractors you can access grant funding to help you secure future employment.

The Employment and Skills Flexible Fund has been set up by the Tata Transition Board to support people in Wales directly or indirectly affected by Tata Steel UK’s current transformation programme.

What can the grant funding be used for?

If you are eligible, the grants for individuals can help you cover costs, such as:

• Training costs
• Exam fees
• Work related certificates and licences
• Tools and equipment
• Public liability insurance for self-employment

The above is not a full list of examples. Other support costs will be considered for funding on an individual basis.

How can I access the funding?

If you live in Neath Port Talbot you can call in to our Support Centre.

If you live elsewhere in Wales, please contact your local employability service.

Or if you are working in Port Talbot but live elsewhere you can also call into the above drop-in location to speak to one of our advisors face-to-face.

Useful links

• Tata Steel Transition Information Hub – Neath Port Talbot Council
• Business NPTC Group
• Careers Wales | Careers Wales
• Home Page – Sorted Supported
• Barry Training Services
• Homepage | Business Wales
• Business Funding and Workspace | UKSE
• Start your job search with Acorn by Synergie.
• Department for Work and Pensions – GOV.UK