New work scheme helps citizens take big step to work

The Steps into Employment Project Swansea (STEPS) offers paid work placements in council teams.

It gives opportunities to earn an income and gain knowledge, experience and training.

Council cabinet member Alyson Pugh said: "STEPS is an innovative way in which we're making use of our own skills and teams to help people into work."

A sum of £600,000 to pilot the scheme was secured by the council's economic development and external funding team from the council's economic recovery fund.

Those to have taken part so far on STEPS include:

• Derek Blundell is now employed as a car parking officer with the council's car parks team after a successful STEPS position.
• Meghan Ferguson is on a STEPS placement in the finance section of the council's building services department.
• Jack Thomas secured a permanent role - after interview - as a car park assistant in the council's parking team after working there on a STEPS placement. 
• Matthew Smith secured a permanent role as a car park assistant in the council's parking team just four weeks into his STEPS placement.
• Ezri Vaughan completed a STEPS placement within the council's poverty and prevention team as a marketing and communications support officer.

More: steps@swansea.gov.uk, 01792 637112

Photo: Ezri Vaughan.