Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

The Lift Programme in Carmarthenshire is launching an innovative new initiative to give its clients key employability skills and a boost their chances of finding paid work. The employment and training programme, which is funded by the Welsh Government and works with individuals from workless households within Communities First areas, will be opening its new Market stall within Llanelli Indoor Market. The stall will operate every Thursday and will be providing supported work placements to two Lift clients every week. During this time they will undergo a structured four-week programme where they will learn key retail skills. Senior Lift Mentor Alex Morgan said: “We work with clients who are the furthest from the labour market and who need a supported work placement to give them the confidence in their own ability and an understanding of working in retail. “Through providing this support we will move clients closer to the labour market.” The Market stall will be selling products that...

Hundreds of young people have had jobs in Carmarthen thanks to town centre development. Latest figures reveal that the number of jobseekers aged between 18 and 24 has fallen by over a third since this time last year – from 995 to 645. Many young claimants have found work in Carmarthen town centre through the opening of new shops and businesses. Jobcentre Employer and Partnerships Manager Menna Davies said: “The retail and hospitality sectors have contributed considerably to these reductions over the last six months, with Carmarthen town showing particular buoyancy with several major recruitments with national businesses and small medium size enterprises also showing signs of confidence and recruiting again.” Unemployment generally has fallen across Carmarthenshire with a decrease of 23% over a period of 12 months. The number of claimants went down from 3,211 in June 2013 to 2,472 in June this year, and continues to fall with a further decrease of 6.8%, or 181 people, in the last mon...