Council helps young people kick-start their careers
Hundreds of people are gaining valuable experience in the workplace thanks to two Swansea Council initiatives that help them find work.
The Workways+ scheme offers training, paid work experience and volunteering opportunities to unemployed people over 25 to help them improve their lives and find employment.
It has already supported more than 1,000 people living in Swansea. Some have benefited from paid work experience opportunities in the council's waste department.
As part of the council's economic recovery plan and in response to the impact of the pandemic, the council is now offering more than 300 paid work placement opportunities to unemployed people through Workways+ and fellow employment scheme Kickstart.
These opportunities are available across a range of roles in local businesses and organisations, with more than 100 positions based at the council itself.
The UK Government's Kickstart has seen more than 20 new recruits join teams such as parks, building services, waste management and security.
Yousef Alzyoud, of Penclawdd, began a Workways+ placement with the council's waste management team, June 2021.
Craig Cherrington, of Morriston, began a Workways+ placement with the council's waste management team, June 2021.
Raymond Davies, of Townhill, began a Kickstart placement with the council's waste management team, July 2021.
Daniel Thomas, of Treboeth, began a Kickstart placement with the council's waste management team, August 2021.
Robert Francis-Davies,council cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: "We want to help Swansea people into work. Kickstart and Workways+ may be the schemes for many people and businesses."
Alyson Pugh, cabinet member for supporting communities, said: "I'm delighted that young people joining the council on this scheme feel so positively about our work with Kickstart. Workways+ is also proving to be popular and successful."
Kickstart provides funding for employers of all sizes to take on those on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. The £2bn initiative is part of the UK Government's plan for jobs across England, Scotland and Wales.
Employers and young people interested in considering Kickstart's six-month job opportunities in Swansea can find out more here - www.swansea.gov.uk/kickstartscheme.
Workways+ has been supported by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government. To find out more about Workways+ go to www.workways.wales.
Photo: Daniel Thomas is with Swansea Council on the Kickstart scheme.