500 ex steelworkers attend job fairs

Thirty-five firms looking to recruit staff attended two jobs fairs held to help 700 redundant Tata steelworkers find work.

Around 500 ex Rotherham and Stocksbridge workers who lost their jobs last year visited the fairs, organised as part of multi-partner efforts to support them back into work.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills provided funding along with UK Steel Enterprise.

The package of funding has been used to directly support steel workers looking for new jobs and businesses relying on Tata for their products and services.

Organisations at the fairs included local companies from different sectors and recruitment agencies representing many different businesses.

Former Tata staff have successfully securing positions at companies including AMG Superalloys UK and Doncasters.

Former employee Graham Makepeace undertook a multi-skilled training course covering plastering, joinery and plumbing which helped him to secure a full-time position at Barratts/David Wilson Homes. He said the resource centre provided invaluable support at a very difficult time.

Graham added: “It was without doubt really hard leaving Tata and not being sure what my options were. The staff at the Resource Centre though were great and were very supportive. Without this training I would have been in a more difficult position. I would say to anyone else in my position, it’s difficult taking those steps, but it’s definitely worth persevering with.”

Any former Tata Steel employee wanting help and advice can phone Sarah Stanley on 01709 254564.