Success for Trust's Tai Tarian partnership

Swansea City Community Trust’s partnership with social housing provider Tai Tarian is going from strength to strength.

Last year Tai Tarian launched an initiative – the Copper Foundation project – which aims to provide a pathway into employment for those struggling to find work.
To date, the project has employed 23 people on one-year contracts.

By the end of the year, they will have gained the necessary experience and new skills which will help them find long-term employment.

By working in partnership with the Community Trust’s Sign Up to Success (SUTS) programme, the participants are able to gain a CSCS card, which allows holders to work on Tai Tarian’s sites.

The Trust also provide the experience of a selection and interview process, training, help and guidance in relation to ‘softer skills’.

Participants completed an employability skills course with the Community Trust which takes them through a range of skills, including numeracy and literacy, as well as outdoor work experience prior to commencing employment with Tai Tarian.
Aled Guy, senior operations officer responsible for the management of the Copper Foundation, said: “The Copper Foundation is a really exciting project for Tai Tarian to have launched.

“We are aiming to give individuals who are finding it difficult to find suitable employment for a variety of reasons a route back into work.
“During their 12 months with us they will gain a whole host of experience and learn new skills from working alongside our experienced team of tradespeople.

“We’ll also be providing them with additional support, such as interview technique training and advice on how to write CVs and fill in job application forms.

“The partnership with the Trust has been very successful and has gone from strength to strength. Michael Howard (of the Trust) has tailored each course to suit the needs and requirements of both the participants and Tai Tarian.”

Howard, the Community Trust’s senior employability trainer, said: “Tai Tarian have been a fantastic partner for the SUTS project. They provide full training and employment opportunities for people who would not necessarily get an interview elsewhere.

“They believe in giving everybody a chance no matter what barriers they may have.

“Aled has worked hard in providing the learners with training and employment opportunities which are life-changing for the participants and their families. We hope to continue to work together in the future.”

The current cohort of participants have been rewarded for their hard work with tickets for the Swans’ game against Blackburn Rovers next Tuesday.

Tai Tarian will look to expand the programme with plans to take on up to 80 new employees over the next five years.