Job success for Tai Tarian employment initiative graduates

Tai Tarian’s award winning Copper Foundation employment initiative has seen two more recruits secure full-time jobs.

The programme, which was launched in 2017, aims to help people who struggle to find work, a route back into employment.  Recruits are given 12-month contracts and work alongside Tai Tarian’s team of experienced tradespeople to gain knowledge and experience in a number of trades.

Now, just a year on from starting on the project, two recruits have gone on to secure full-time roles.  Ieuan Richards and Ethan Stokes, both from the Afan Valley, will be working with ASW Property Services, a local company that carries out property maintenance, repairs and refurbishment works.

Speaking about his new role, Ieuan said:
“I am really excited about starting my new role with ASW Property Services.  I’ve learnt so much during my year with the Copper Foundation, including carpentry and fencing skills. 

“I am very grateful to Tai Tarian for giving me the opportunity to gain this experience and I look forward to using these skills in my new role.”

Ethan added:
“I’m delighted to have secured this new opportunity.  I’ve learned a great deal over the past year by being part of the Copper Foundation.  I’ve worked with a great bunch of people and had fantastic support from my supervisors and manager.

“I can’t wait to get started with ASW Property Services where I hope I can use some of the new skills I’ve learned.”

Ieuan and Ethan are the latest Copper graduates to be taken on by ASW Property Services, after another recruit, Grzegorz Michalski, was employed by them last year.  The link with ASW comes as a result of Tai Tarian’s Community Benefits scheme, an initiative which ensures that any business that works directly with the housing provider gives something back to the community.

Paul Phillips, Operations Director at ASW Property Services said:
“We think the Copper Foundation is a great initiative and we are happy to support Tai Tarian in giving opportunities to their recruits.  Grzegorz came to us last year and is doing really well and now we look forward to Ieuan and Ethan joining us and bringing their new skills and expertise to our team.

Tai Tarian’s Aled Guy is responsible for managing the Copper Foundation.  He said:
“I’m really thrilled that Ieuan and Ethan have secured these new roles.  They’ve worked really hard over the past year and it’s great to see them get this opportunity. 

“This means that three people from the latest Copper Foundation intake have found jobs.  This brings to eight the total number of people who have gone on to full time employment since the project started less than two years ago.

“The Copper Foundation has enjoyed enormous success so far, and seeing Ieuan, Ethan and others moving on to full-time roles is a great incentive for those who are currently working on the project.”

The Copper Foundation’s success was highlighted when it won the Social and Community Benefit Awards at the Government Opportunities Excellence Awards earlier this year.  It has also one of the reasons that Tai Tarian is shortlisted in the Landlord of the Year category at the UK Housing Awards this May.