More success for Tai Tarian’s Copper Foundation

The Copper Foundation, Tai Tarian’s ground-breaking training and employment scheme, has had more success with six of its most recent members securing long-term employment.

Launched in 2016, the Copper Foundation aims to give people struggling to find work a route back into employment, by offering them a 12-month contract as well as support to complete training courses and obtain qualifications. In the four years since the scheme started, 47 people have been given opportunities to participate.

Now, the group who started in Autumn 2019 have completed their time on the programme and have been successful in securing jobs.  Five of the team will join local company, RT Contractors whilst the other will be working for Tata Steel. 

Aled Guy who manages The Copper Foundation for Tai Tarian said:
“I’m really pleased to see this group secure new jobs. They have been a real credit to Tai Tarian over the past year and their hard work has now paid off.  I’m sure the opportunity they’ve earned with RT Contractors will allow them to further their careers as they all have so much to offer.”

Des Golding is one of the group who will be joining RT Contractors.  He said:
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Copper Foundation.  I have learnt so many new skills including bricklaying, concreting and woodwork and obtained many qualifications. 

“It has also helped me improve my confidence as I’ve been actively encouraged to give ideas and solve problems.  Working outdoors, even in the snow and rain, has also been very beneficial for both my physical and mental health.

“I can’t wait to get started with RT Contractors.  I am now confident in my abilities and I’m looking forward to continuing to develop my skills with them.  I’m very thankful for the opportunity the Copper Foundation has given me.”

Gethin Thomas, Contracts Director of RT Contractors said:
“Over the past year, this group have been helping us on Tai Tarian’s external improvement programme.  We have seen at first-hand what they are capable of and we were very impressed with their work ethic. As a result, we decided to recruit them once their 12-months with Tai Tarian came to an end.  

“It’s great that we can employ local people to carry out work in their own communities and we are looking forward to them working as part of our team.”

RT Contractors are currently carrying out Tai Tarian’s programme to improve the gardens of around 7000 properties.  Offering these employment opportunities forms part of their commitment to the housing association’s Community Benefits programme, a scheme which requires contractors to give something back to the communities in which they work.