Lidl help from Workways+
Local people find long term jobs with a Lidl help from employment project
Several Neath Port Talbot people find long term employment with local Lidl stores thanks to the support of Workways+. 
The EU-backed Workways+ project helped three participants back to into employment by finding them work at Lidl stores in Neath and Pontardawe. All 3 have been unemployed for a significant period of time but with the support of Workways+ were ready to re-enter the labour market.
Lidl is due to open a new store in Pontardawe next month and had a number of vacancies to fill. Lidl’s Area Manager Ross Urwin spoke to Workways+ about recruiting local people. Workways+ arranged a recruitment day at the Neath Store where applicants were selected to attend interviews, 12 went onto carry out work trials at the Neath Lidl Store and as a result 6 people were successfully recruited.
Participants received a variety of support from the Workways+ team including assistance with job searching, help with CV development, access to training and on-site experience.
The successful candidates will carry out a number a full range of roles including stock control, cashier, warehouse operative and customer services.
Ross Urwin, Lidl’s Area Manager, believes Workways+ plays an important role helping unemployed people to find suitable employment.
He said “One of the strengths of Workways+ is the taster days they offer. Some candidates had the necessary skills but lacked confidence at the interview stage. Workways+ encouraged us to consider taster days at the store where potential candidates were able to demonstrate their suitability to the role and we were able to see what they were really capable of. I hope to use Workways+ for Lidl’s future recruitment needs.”
Workways+ participant Dean Higgins said “Without Workways+ I don’t think I would have got this job. My mentor helped me so much, she boosted my confidence and encouraged me to pursue a number of opportunities. Now having a regular wage coming in it will make a massive difference to me and my family.”
Neath Port Talbot Council Leader, Ali Thomas added, “It’s gratifying to see the way in which the Workways+ project is not just moving people into work, but also satisfying the needs of employers across South West Wales. The remarkable success achieved by Workways+ in the current economic climate is due to the excellent personal relationships which have been forged between project staff, participants and employers in the region”.
Workways+ is led by Neath Port Talbot Council, in collaboration with Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion Councils. The project, which is backed with £7.4 million from the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, aims to tackle the barriers that prevent individuals from finding employment.