Employability Bridgend is just the job to help boost your employment prospects

The new Employability Bridgend programme offers a wide range of support to anyone who is looking for work, wants a better job, or would like to improve their skills by gaining new qualifications.

Launched by Bridgend County Borough Council, the programme can help local people who are either employed or unemployed to improve their job prospects.

From advice on writing CVs and interview techniques, to help finding voluntary placements, or free vocational training such as CSCS cards for the construction industry and Teaching Assistant qualifications, Employability Bridgend provides help that is tailored to each individual’s needs.

The scheme can also provide support to cover work-related costs such as specific footwear or clothing that may be needed, or help with transport to work until their first payday.

All of the assistance offered by Employability Bridgend is free and has been funded through Welsh Government and the European Social Fund.

Employability Bridgend brings several employment programmes together so that it is easier for local residents to understand what help is available.

There are many employment and training projects that have made a positive impact locally, but people have often reported to us that they’ve found it hard to know which projects they are eligible for and which would suit them the best.

We’ve now made the process much more straightforward and the Employability Bridgend team are on hand to help anyone over the age of 16 so that they can become more employable.

Councillor Huw David, the Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council

Councillor Dhanisha Patel, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations, said: “As well as the financial impact, people who aren’t working can often suffer greatly from a lack of self-worth and even depression. They want to get a job but have many barriers that are standing in their way.

“The Employability Bridgend programme aims to remove as many of those barriers as possible, helping people to rebuild their confidence and self-esteem.

“Overcoming the issues that people face in getting back into work can truly turn lives around. It is vitally important to support individuals and their families so that they can break the dreaded cycle of worklessness.”

To find out more about Employability Bridgend please call 01656 815317, email employability@bridgend.gov.uk, or follow them on social media at ‘Employability Bridgend’ on Facebook or @EmployaBridgend on Twitter.

Employability Bridgend also host drop-in sessions each week where anyone can pop in for a chat about the support they offer. The sessions are held as follows:

Monday

9am – 1pm: The Zone, Bridgend

2pm – 4pm: Pyle Life Centre

Tuesday

9am – 12pm: Pyle Life Centre

9:30am – 12pm: Pencoed Library

10am – 3pm: Caerau Development Trust

1pm – 4pm: Y Centre, Porthcawl

1pm – 4pm: Bettws Life Centre

1pm – 4pm: Noddfa Community Church, Caerau

Wednesday

9am – 12pm: Pyle Life Centre

9:30am – 12pm: Brackla Community Centre

9am – 11am: Garw Valley Life Centre

1pm – 4pm: Richard Price Centre, Llangeinor

2pm – 4pm: Maesteg Library (Sports Centre)

Thursday

9am – 12pm: Ogmore Vale Life Centre

9am – 2:30pm: Caerau Development Trust

9am – 5pm: The Zone, Bridgend

2pm – 4pm: Ty’r Ardd, Bridgend