Community has launched a new Support Centre in the heart of Port Talbot to support steelworkers affected by the closure of the Blast Furnaces at Tata Steel Port Talbot.
Speakers at the launch of the new centre in Aberavon Shopping Centre today included our General Secretary Roy Rickhuss; , Jo Stevens MP, Secretary of State for Wales; and Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for the Economy. The speakers met with steelworkers, as well as Community staff and our partners, who together are delivering employment services at the Support Centre.
The closure of the Blast Furnaces and mass redundancies at the steelworks, and the loss of so many high quality jobs to the area, will have a huge knock on impact on the local economy and community. Above all the job cuts at Tata Steel are devastating for the workforce, and we know it can be hard to know where to turn for employment advice and support.
That’s why Community Union is leading an ambitious partnership with the Welsh Government, Careers Wales, the Department for Work and Pensions, Neath Port Talbot Employability, Acorn employment agency, UK Steel Enterprise and Google Digital Garage, which has successfully established the Support Centre in Port Talbot’s Aberafan Shopping Centre.
Through the Support Centre Community Union and its partners will be able to deliver training and employment support for impacted workers, whether they are Community members or not. This training and support will be geared towards helping individuals to further their careers and find new job opportunities in Port Talbot and the surrounding areas.
Roy Rickhuss CBE, General Secretary of Community Union, said:
“The closure of the Blast Furnaces was a devastating day for our industry, steelworkers, and the whole of Port Talbot. This is not the outcome we wanted to see, and we know a different future was possible. But our focus must now be on how best to support everyone affected, and on delivering serious investment and high quality jobs for the entire town of Port Talbot.
“I’m incredibly thankful to all of the organisations that have come together to help establish our crucial Service Centre. There are tough times ahead, but this initiative demonstrates that the people of Port Talbot have not been abandoned, and that through working together we can build a better tomorrow for all those impacted by the job cuts at Tata Steel.
“The closure of Blast Furnace 4 marks the end of an era but it is not the end for Port Talbot. Community Union will never stop fighting for our members, our industry and our communities.”
Secretary of State for Wales and Chair of the Tata Transition Board Jo Stevens MP said:
“This innovative hub will act as a one-stop-shop to help deliver the support to workers affected by the changes at Tata steel.
“I am determined to do everything I can to support workers and businesses who are affected by the changes at Tata Steel. That’s why this renewed partnership of governments, unions and the local council is working together to make sure the town gets what it needs.
“The funding from the UK Government, via the Transition Board, is already making a difference. We know there is still a huge amount of work to do, but we are already seeing people successfully placed in new jobs as a direct result of the £13.5m that we made available.”
Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans MS said:
“We would all prefer to be in a position where this Community Support Centre wasn’t necessary. But, it’s important that we work together as we look towards the future and ensure that the very best and widest support possible is there for people bearing the brunt of Tata’s decisions.
“This Centre – part funded by Welsh Government – will provide just that. It will work alongside the employability hubs which have already been set up and the funding which is being made available by the UK Government’s £80m transition fund.
“We will continue to do everything we can, alongside our Transition Board partners, to provide the right assistance and support for everyone who needs it.”
Katie O’Donovan, Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google Said:
“At this tough time, Google Digital Garage is proud to join forces with Community Union and their partners to provide digital skills training for people in Port Talbot. Through the Support Centre, people will be able to develop new skills in topics ranging from career development to AI as the community works together during this time of transition.”
Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council Cllr Steve Hunt said:
“This is a welcome addition to the package of support which is being developed by the Transition Board to both employees of Tata and the companies in its supply chain.
“The Transition Board’s online information hub www.npt.gov.uk/TataTransition is a useful 24/7 resource for anyone affected, but we understand the importance of face-to-face support at such a difficult time.
“This centre will complement our existing provision, hosting services such as the council’s NPT Employability team on a daily basis”.
Mark Rudge, Commercial Partnerships Director at Acorn said:
“The closure of the last blast furnace is devastating and extremely emotional for the region. Although it may not feel like it today, we believe the Port Talbot Region is on the cusp of exciting change. While the industrial landscape is shifting, there are promising large-scale projects on the horizon that offer a bright future for the area.
“At Acorn by Synergie, we have always been deeply committed to supporting the local community, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this latest initiative in partnership with The Community Union.
“Through our Acorn IMPACT pledge, we’re dedicating 10,000 hours over the next three years to enhance Social Mobility across all the regions we serve.
“By joining forces with other organisations at the Community Support Centre, we are committed to helping 500 Neath Port Talbot residents get back into employment as quickly as possible. Together, we believe we can make a positive impact.”
A UKSE Spokesperson said:
“It was vitally important that UKSE be part of this key support hub, and we look forward to being able to provide help to those looking to move into self-employment or grow an existing business”
If you are a member of Community and need advice or support, please contact our Service Centre at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
© Community Trade Union 2025
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