A new Support Centre has opened in Port Talbot to provide support, guidance and retraining advice to individuals and businesses impacted by Tata Steel's decision to restructure its operations ahead of transitioning to greener steelmaking at Port Talbot.
The facility in Aberavon Shopping Centre, opened by Community Union with funding support from Tata Steel and Welsh Government, is open Monday to Friday and will provide bespoke advice to Tata Steel UK employees, supply chain workers, their families and affected businesses.
Advisors from a range of agencies and organisations, including Neath Port Talbot Employability, Careers Wales, Department of Work and Pensions, UKSE and Acorn are based in the Hub, offering services including career, financial and business start up advice.
Tata Steel UK Head of Public Affairs and Community, Tom Evans, said: “We are deeply conscious of the impact of our current restructuring programme on employees, contractor partners and the wider community.
“As part of our £20 million contribution to the Transition Board fund, we have committed to supporting the cost of establishing, refurbishing, and running the Support Centre in Aberavon Shopping Centre to ensure all those who need to access support can do so.”
Visiting the Support Centre, Secretary of State for Wales and Chair of the Tata Steel Transition Board Jo Stevens said:
“This innovative hub will act as a one-stop-shop to help deliver the support to workers affected by the changes at Tata Steel.
“I am determined to do everything I can to support workers and businesses who are affected by the changes at Tata Steel. That’s why this renewed partnership of governments, unions and the local council is working together to make sure the town gets what it needs.
Last week, the company ceased operations at Blast Furnace 4 along with other associated iron and steelmaking assets, bringing an end to ironmaking at the Port Talbot site. Steelmaking at the site will resume in 2027 through the investment of £1.25 billion in electric arc furnace based steelmaking, using UK-sourced scrap steel.
Roy Rickhuss CBE, General Secretary of Community Union, said:
“I’m incredibly thankful to all of the organisations that have come together to help establish our crucial Service Centre. There are tough times ahead, but this initiative demonstrates that the people of Port Talbot have not been abandoned, and that through working together we can build a better tomorrow for all those impacted by the job cuts at Tata Steel.”
A digital information hub signposting support for workers and businesses impacted by the transition is available at Tata Steel Transition Information Hub - Neath Port Talbot Council (npt.gov.uk)
About Tata Steel UK
- The Tata Steel Group has been named one of the most ethical companies in the world, and is among the top producing global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 million tonnes.
- Tata Steel in the UK has the ambition to produce net-zero steel by 2045 at the latest, and to have reduced 30% of its CO2 emissions by 2030.
- In October 2024, Tata Steel ceased ironmaking at its Port Talbot site and temporarily paused steelmaking pending the construction of a 3.2Mtpa Electric Arc Furnace, due to be commissioned late in 2027 / early 2028. For that period, the business will import slab and hot rolled coil to support manufacturing and distribution operations at sites across Wales, England and Northern Ireland as well as Norway, Sweden, France, Germany and UAE. It also benefits from a network of sales offices around the world.
- Throughout 2024 Tata Steel UK has been undergoing a restructuring that will reduce the size of its workforce to around 5000 direct employees, supplying high-quality steel products to demanding markets, including construction and infrastructure, automotive, packaging and engineering.
- Tata Steel Group is one of the world's most geographically-diversified steel producers, with operations and a commercial presence across the world.
- The group recorded a consolidated turnover of around US$27.7 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2024.
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