Minister visits Blackwood to discuss employment and welfare
The event was led by the UK Government's employment minister, Alison McGovern MP, who visited the venue last week.
Organised by Ruth Jones MP, the discussion was part of nationwide feedback on Government proposals to "Get Britain Working".
These plans include fortifying workers' rights and a comprehensive reform of Jobcentres.
The consultation is open to public input until June 30.
Representatives from various organisations, as well as customers, participated in the roundtable discussion alongside Caerphilly Council's Employment Support Team.
The team, which uses the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund and Welsh Government funding, offers community-based employability support.
Their mission is to promote sustainable employment and tackle inequality by targeting support at the most disadvantaged in the labour market.
They provide comprehensive one-to-one support, fully-funded training, and dedicated mentors to help individuals overcome employment barriers.
Councillor Jamie Pritchard, the deputy leader, said: "Here in Caerphilly county borough, we are taking great strides to support people into employment.
"Our Employment Support Team are working with employers daily, with the ambition to support over 1,000 underemployed and unemployed people over the coming year.
"The roundtable in Blackwood Miners' Institute was an important opportunity to listen, learn, and explore practical ways to help people overcome barriers and build brighter futures."
Minister for employment, Alison McGovern, said: "It has been fantastic to be here in Blackwood today with Ruth Jones MP and the deputy council leader Jamie Pritchard, to hear from people and organisations with lived experience of the welfare system."
To learn more about the initiatives undertaken by the Caerphilly County Borough Council's Employment Support team, visit the council's website.
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