Employability Workshops a success in Ceredigion
During 2024, Ceredigion County Council’s employability support team piloted various workshops tailored for participants receiving support from the Welsh Government funded ‘Communities for Work+’ project.
Communities for Work+ supports people who are not in employment, education or training and are underrepresented in the labour market to find work and stay in work.
The workshops were designed to increase employment opportunities, promote wellbeing and socialisation while working in partnership with businesses and services in Ceredigion.
Partners involved in the workshops were Y Banera, Gwesty’r Marine Hotel, In the Welsh Wind Distillery, Ceredigion County Council Cleaning and Schools Catering Services, Ceredigion Actif, Dysgu Bro Ceredigion. They provided training, knowledge, and skills to enhance employability prospects for residents receiving support from Communities for Work+ in Ceredigion.
Nia Roberts, Owner of Y Banera in Aberystwyth, said: “It has been thoroughly enjoyable to teach the individuals skills that will help them to move forward, develop and progress into employment.”
To date the workshops have engaged with 47 participants with 19 of them gaining employment. The pilot offered participants the opportunity to meet and train with local employers, form new friendships, increase confidence, and develop their skills and knowledge to prepare them for employment.
Ellen Wakelam, Co-founder and Owner/Director of In the Welsh Wind Distillery, said: "We were delighted to welcome the group to the distillery and give then an insight into what we do as well as an understanding of how hospitality can work in a 'non-standard' setting. We wish all the participants success in their future.”
Ceredigion Councillor Wyn Thomas, Cabinet Member for Schools and Through Age Learning, said: “The Local Supported Employment team does important work which gives employment opportunities to Ceredigion residents. I’m proud to see great co-operation between the service and local businesses which has offered support to residents in the county to be able to succeed in their job search in the close future.”
A participant who attended the ‘Introduction to Hospitality Workshop’, who later gained employment in the hospitality sector, said: “Thank you so much, this has been the only positive experience I have had in my work search journey, and I am very grateful to the team.”
To find out more about the services we provide in Ceredigion, email TCC-EST@ceredigion.gov.uk or call 01970 633422. You can also keep up to date by following our social media channels: Cymorth Gwaith Ceredigion Work Support on Facebook and @CymorthGwaithCeredWorkSupport on Instagram.