The latest infrastructure investment by leading employment and skills services provider, Working Links, has been unveiled in Caerphilly today (Thursday 30 September) by Education Minister, Leighton Andrews.
Opening the organisation’s new Wales headquarters in Caerphilly, Leighton Andrews was briefed about ambitious recruitment and development plans being undertaken by Working Links to further increase its capacity and portfolio of services in Wales to meet the needs of new customers. The new offices will house 40 people working across all of Working’s Links activities, including preparations for the UK government’s new Work Programme for which the organisation will be bidding later this year.
Marcella Maxwell, Wales Director for Working Links, said: “Working Links was at the forefront of working with the UK government to establish the welfare to work model a decade ago, and the organisation continues to go from strength to strength. The new headquarters in Caerphilly, which is also our major skills and workforce development hub for the area, is part of our multi million pounds UK-wide investment in new facilities, equipment and employee development training.
“We have built an enviable track record during our ten years in existence. Our ethos is that employment offers the best route out of poverty and our innovative programmes have supported 60,000 people, helping more than 20,000 of them into sustainable employment. By working with individuals, families and whole communities in a tailored and practical way, we are building on that success and addressing the real problems facing the unemployed workforce in Wales – poor literacy and basic skills, in-work poverty and the benefits trap.”
Welcoming the organisation’s commitment to investment in Wales, Leighton Andrews said: “The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to improving social inclusion, economic participation and the wellbeing of all communities. Working Links has forged strong partnerships with government, the third sector and private companies and is playing an important and substantial role in driving that agenda forward.
Working Links is continuing to recruit advisors and consultants to work with customers and employers across its portfolio of activities. To find out more, visit www.workinglinks.co.uk or call 0800 917 9262.
