THREE men from Carmarthenshire have secured job success with Burns Pet Nutrition Company, thanks to the help of an EU-backed employment project.
The EU-backed Workways+ project helped three Workways+ participants back to into employment at Burns Pet Nutrition, based in Kidwelly. The three Workways+ participants had been unemployed for a significant period of time but with the support of Workways+ were ready to re-enter the labour market.
Lee Neale, Simon Howard and Jason Davies all joined the Workways+ project after being unemployed for significant period of time.
Workways+ participant Jason said: “I’d been unemployed for two-and-a-half years when I saw an advert for Workways+ in the Job Centre in Carmarthen. I went to see if they could help me and straight away they told me they could. My mentor helped me with my CV and asked where I would like to work. I said I’d love to work with Burns Pet Nutrition as I’d heard they’re an amazing company to work for. After a couple of weeks, my mentor called to say he had secured me an interview with Burns. I was chuffed. I got the job; initially it was short term but has since been extended to March next year and possibly longer.
“I am over the moon. I love working with Burns. I feel like part of a family, the hours are great and I’m enjoying the work.”
John Burns said: “Thanks to Workways+ and The LIFT Programme, we have four new members of staff who are all incredibly hardworking and highly-skilled. We’ve been bowled over by the talent pool and look forward to working with both organisations in the future.”
Jacob Williams, Workways+, said: “Workways+ is delighted with the support provided by Burns. The new employees have seen a massive improvement in their quality of life. It’s a great example of partnership working between the local authority and local business.”
Workways+ is led by Neath Port Talbot Council, in collaboration with Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion Councils. The project, which is backed with £7.5 million from the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, aims to tackle the barriers that prevent individuals from finding employment.
Cllr Meryl Gravell, Carmarthenshire County Council Executive Board Member for Regeneration and Leisure, said: “I’m delighted that Workways+ has been able to give Lee, Simon and Jason this opportunity. They are benefiting from working for Burns and it is clear that the company is also benefiting from having taken them on. I’m delighted that Burns is so community minded.
“Workways+ is playing a valuable role in helping long-term unemployed people back into work.”
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