Our goal is to support employers with recruitment to fill vacancies and to work with employers in understanding skill gaps and design training accordingly whilst also supporting work experience or volunteering placements.

Contact: Annette King - Triage Officer

CfW+Triage@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Working Wales provides free employment support for employers to help both businesses and their staff.

Your vacancies can be added to our job bulletin which is sent weekly to subscribed job seekers and career changers. The job bulletin is personalised to each customer and provides information on vacancies that matches their job choices based on their location.

Working Wales is delivered by Careers Wales and funded by the Welsh Government to provide careers guidance and employability support to those aged 16 and above.

This support is accessed through Working Wales’s Stakeholder Engagement Team.

Contact: For South East (Gwent), the local SEA is: Chelsea Dopson, Chelsea.dopson@careerswales.gov.wales, 02920 84 6672.

Our Customer Wellbeing & Engagement Team provides support available to employers regarding recruitment to fill vacancies, as well as providing support with work experience or volunteering opportunities Provision of pre-employability training if required for those residing in Blaenau Gwent

Contact: Phil Meek Customer Wellbeing & Engagement Manager Phillip.meek@taicalon.org

We work with employers to highlight specific skills gaps and opportunities for young people as well as provide personal and social development opportunities for young people around working patterns (day & evenings).

In addition to this we provide access to wider Youth Service provision including counselling, emotional wellbeing support and homelessness prevention.

This project is available for young people aged 16-25 that are not in employment, education or training.

Contact: Youth.Service@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

We can provide support and guidance to understand/ sign up to the Disability Confident scheme and provide support with understanding reasonable adjustments and support available, including access to work. We can also help potential employees obtain free qualifications to support them in their role.

Contact: Melanie Millar – Employment Advisor & Project Lead (Torfaen, North & South Monmouthshire) 07908 105064 melanie.millar@disabilitycando.org.uk

Lisa Miles - Employment Advisor (Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Newport) 07908 105066 lisa.miles@disabilitycando.org.uk

Supporting businesses starting-up and additional support to existing business with development, all done through one-to-one sessions that build on initiatives. Eligibility is determined by business type, and our website and contact details can provide more information and support.

Contact: Ryan Harvey – Enterprise Facilitator – 07969 398964 – ryan.harvey@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Multi Skills offers easy access and support to a number of free courses to help people improve skills and be more confident with everyday activities and in a work environment.  We offer courses in Introduction to Admin, Introduction to Teaching Assistants, Computer Don't Bite, Confidence Building, Cooking, Women's DIY and numeracy courses to help parents support their children with homework.  We also run weekly conversation clubs to support ESOL students develop their English language skills.

Available to anyone aged 16 or over

Contact:

Email: teresa.davies@aneurinleisure.org.uk

Phone:  (01495) 369569 / 07974856476 

Business Wales

Support individuals with a view to moving towards self-employment.

Support businesses across all aspects of running a business including employment support, sustainability support, general advice around growing the business.

Contact: Rhianydd Webb Tel: 07917 919465 Email: Rhianydd.webb@businessinfocus.co.uk 03000 6 03000 central Business Wales helpline

We aim:

• To embed STEM skills and knowledge within a wider context of school and industry/future employment.

• To raise awareness and uptake of STEM opportunities in Blaenau Gwent amongst the pupils of the Ebbw Fawr, Tredegar, Brynmawr & Abertillery Cluster of schools.

Please follow link for more details; https://padlet.com/BGSTEMPROJECT/stem-facilitation-project-jjw368i31d79ypnh

Disability Employment Advisors offer support to employers looking to employ or retain employees with a health condition or disability. Support includes advice and guidance on Disability Confident, Access to Work and job retention.

Contact: Disability Employment Advisor – Andrew Mayled Andrew.mayled@dwp.gov.uk

The Quickstart BG programme offers UK Shared Prosperity Funding to Blaenau Gwent employers to provide meaningful supported work placements; comprising of 6 months of regular, paid work which will help people to gain experience, confidence and skills to improve their chances of securing future sustained employment.

If you are a businesses within Blaenau Gwent looking to offer a Quickstart opportunity please get in touch to discuss further.

Contact: Lauren Holmes: lauren.holmes@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Hannah Fouracre: hannah.fouracre@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

The Shared Apprenticeship Programme within Blaenau Gwent is a strategic project with a number of partners; Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone, Education, Industry and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. The programme is set to enhance skills development within the manufacturing and engineering companies to develop business growth; whilst tackling unemployment and providing aspirational opportunities for young people across the local authority.

Contact: Graham Rees
Telephone Number: 07814 458045
Email: graham.rees@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Andrew Bevan
Telephone Number: 01495 355508
Email: andrew.bevan@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Eligibility: Persons aged between 16 and 30

The Prince's Trust in Wales | Where we work (princes-trust.org.uk)

If you are making redundancies, we can support you and your employees through the redundancy process, including assessing eligibility for ReAct+, and subsequent help with the application process and where appropriate, referral to alternative provision.

Working Wales is delivered by Careers Wales and funded by the Welsh Government to provide careers guidance and employability support to those aged 16 and above.

We work closely with employers to advertise vacancies throughout Jobcentre network & on national Find A Job service, Sift & screen applications, organise interviews, bespoke recruitment events & Jobs fairs. Support with government employment initiatives, Voluntary Work Experience, Work Trials and Pre-Employment Training.

Contact: Blaenau Gwent Employer Advisors - Alison Morris ALISON.MORRIS2@DWP.GOV.UK Amanda Rees AMANDA.REES1@DWP.GOV.UK

Communities for Work Plus is able to offer bespoke training, taster sessions in specific sectors, and Training Academies; linking with employers and key training providers they ensure that people are skilled and trained in readiness to start employment.

Each person has a one to one Employment Mentor and with access to an Employer Liaison and Training Officer, the programme can tailor support to individual needs.

Contact: John Preston - Employer Liaison and Training Officer 01495 355355 - john.preston@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Please follow the link above to find out how The Jobcentre Plus can provide support to employers to offer work experience or apprenticeship routes.

Work & Health Programme; Core & Pioneer

Maximus have a dedicated Regional Account Manger covering the Blaenau Gwent Area for employers who can provide support with recruitment to fill vacancies completely free of charge.

Your Maximus UK Regional Account Manager will advertise your vacancies on our employment support hub and with local jobseekers we are supporting back into employment. Any suitable candidates will be pre-screened to match your job criteria and in return all we ask employers are for ringfenced vacancies, guaranteed interviews, guaranteed feedback and/or Work experience/Work Trial opportunities.

Contact:

steven.henderson@maximusuk.co.uk

CVC Volunteer Centre

Provide support with work experience or volunteering placements to people who are unemployed, living in Blaenau Gwent and who are 16+

Contact:

Caragh.Porter@gavo.org.uk

Keri.jones@gavo.org.uk

We have funding available to upskill and support with work experience and volunteering placements.

Eligibility: Contract holders only (Tenants)

Contact:

Peter Watkins – Employability & Skills Mentor

07920 077882 

peter.watkins@unitedwelsh.com

Tourism Development Grant

A new grant to support tourism and hospitality businesses has been launched in Blaenau Gwent.

The grant scheme is open to new and existing businesses, it is funded by UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and managed by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. The grant is aimed at tourism and hospitality businesses such as B & B’s, Holiday Lets, Guest Houses, Hotels, attractions, venues, guides, and activity providers. Please visit link above for more details.

Contact: Alyson Tippings, Destination Management Officer 01495 355937 / 07968 472812 or at alyson.tippings@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Working Wales provides free employment support for employers to help both businesses and their staff.

The support you could access includes;

•  Apprenticeship support - We can help you find and recruit apprentices to add to your existing skilled workforce.

•  Upskilling your staff, including identifying training needs and help to access appropriate training. Our career review support is a good place to start by exploring ideas and possibilities.

Working Wales is delivered by Careers Wales and funded by the Welsh Government to provide careers guidance and employability support to those aged 16 and above.

This support is accessed through Working Wales’s Stakeholder Engagement Team.

Contact:

For South East (Gwent), the local SEA is: Chelsea Dopson, Chelsea.dopson@careerswales.gov.wales, 02920 84 6672.

Support for you & your workforce in redundancy situations. Give an overview of the benefit system & how it works, advice on finding alternative employment & co-ordination of local support partners, to help you & your workforce.

We support employers to fill vacancies via bespoke transition support packages for young people aged 16-25 that are not in employment, education or training.

Contact: Youth.Service@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Working Wales provides free employment support for employers to help both businesses and their staff.

Connecting employers with schools

As well as making a difference to the lives of young people, there are many business benefits of working with schools, including raising awareness of your sector/business and inspiring potential future employees.

If you would like to find out more about working with local schools, please contact the Employer Engagement team: employerengagement@careerswales.gov.wales

Workplace stress has been cited as the top reason for employee sickness absence in recent years.

And 85 per cent of small-and-medium-sized business leaders said employee mental health was their biggest health and safety challenge in 2023

The Access to Work Mental Health Support Service is available at no cost, to help your employees stay in work.

This service is quick and easy to access, and you can promote it to your workforce to help reduce absenteeism, presenteeism and workforce attrition.

We have already helped more than 20,000 people remain in their jobs, with: Work Place Support, Wellbeing Plans and Coping Strategies

The service is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions and no formal diagnosis is required

Please see link above to the website for more information, alternatively you can contact your local Maximus Regional Account Manager Steven Henderson can support - steven.henderson@maximusuk.co.uk

Healthy Working Wales is dedicated to improving workplace health and preventing ill-health. We encourage employers to take action on health and wellbeing by providing digital resources to help employers create healthy, safe and health promoting workplaces.  

Please see the link above for more information

The Shared Apprenticeship Programme within Blaenau Gwent is a strategic project with a number of partners; Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone, Education, Industry and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. The programme is set to enhance skills development within the manufacturing and engineering companies to develop business growth; whilst tackling unemployment and providing aspirational opportunities for young people across the local authority.

Contact: Graham Rees
Telephone Number: 07814 458045
Email: graham.rees@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Andrew Bevan
Telephone Number: 01495 355508
Email: andrew.bevan@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

The Shared Apprenticeship Programme within Blaenau Gwent is a strategic project with a number of partners; Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone, Education, Industry and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. The programme is set to enhance skills development within the manufacturing and engineering companies to develop business growth; whilst tackling unemployment and providing aspirational opportunities for young people across the local authority.

Contact: Graham Rees
Telephone Number: 07814 458045
Email: graham.rees@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Andrew Bevan
Telephone Number: 01495 355508
Email: andrew.bevan@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

We've created a digital recognition award for those Businesses who have pledged to work with our learners & completed different levels of support.

Bronze Business Award:

• Pledge to be a part of the BG STEM Project.

• Deliver 1-2 STEM sessions, workshops or career talks this academic year

Silver Business Award:

• Pledge to be a part of the BG STEM Project.

• Deliver 3-4 STEM sessions, workshops or career talks this academic year – upon achieving this referral to Careers Wales School Valued Partner Annual Awards.

• Attend at least one BG STEM Networking Event

Gold Business Award:

• Pledge to be a part of the BG STEM Project.

• Deliver at least 5 STEM sessions, workshops or career talks to schools – upon achieving this referral to Careers Wales School Valued Partner Annual Awards.

• Attend one BG STEM networking event.

• Provide any free material to help us promote STEM to schools.

For more info on how you can take part, please email:

Hayley - hayley.boulton@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Brogan - brogan.jones@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Community Benefits are a key component in delivering social, economic, environmental and cultural benefits within our community. Achieved as part of the delivery of public procurement; maximising value added, that is retained within the locality.

As part of Welsh Government policy, delivery of Community Benefits through public sector procurement is aligned to the Well-Being for Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and delivers against its goals. It is particularly focussed on delivering:

A prosperous Wales – to increase employment, support development of skills and grow SMEs in order to positively impact the Welsh economy

A healthier Wales – to create and safeguard employment opportunities that help people enter or remain in work

A more equal Wales – by working to provide employment and training opportunities, and also education and community support across all areas of Wales and across all socio-economic levels

The Social Value & Community Benefits Officer within Regeneration works closely with Procurement with an aim to increase the value of community and social benefits delivered through Council contracts and maximise employment and skills opportunities.

If there are no suitable opportunities currently available but you are interested in engaging with projects to support employment and skills, we encourage you to get in touch as there may be forthcoming contracts that align with your needs.  

School-specific opportunities will also be communicated through the Blaenau Gwent STEM Facilitation Team.

Project: Welsh Medium Primary School

Contractor: Tilbury Douglas

Location: Tredegar

Opportunities: Site visits, work experience, educational visits/ workshops.

Project: Remodelling of Abertillery Library

Contractor: Willis Construction

Location: Abertillery

Opportunities: Educational visits/ workshops, careers fairs.

Hayley - hayley.boulton@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Brogan - brogan.jones@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

We had a great turn out last year with lots of businesses providing fun interactive elements to their stalls, inspiring our year 9 learners.

For more info on how you can take part, please email:

Hayley - hayley.boulton@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Brogan - brogan.jones@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Bitesize sessions will include;

·  Disability Awareness & Workplace Etiquette 

Tuesday 28^th April 2026 - 10:30-12:00

· Understanding Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Tuesday 19^th May 2026 - 10:30-12:00

· Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing at Work

Tuesday 9^th June 2026 - 10:30-12:00

· Disability Legislation and Employer Responsibilities

Tuesday 30^th June 2026 - 10:30-12:00

· Reasonable Adjustments in Practice

Tuesday 21^st July 2026 - 10:30-12:00

· Inclusive Recruitment: Attracting & Retaining

Disabled Talent   Tuesday 18^th August 2026 - 10:30-12:00

· Unconscious Bias and Disability Inclusion

Tuesday 8^th September 2026 - 10:30-12:00

· Deaf Awareness and Inclusive Communication

Tuesday 28^th  September 2026 - 10:30-12:00

These webinars are FREE for all Blaenau Gwent employers — but places are limited, so early booking is recommended. To secure your place book using the QR code or contact: laura.bull@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk