New Welsh Government scheme to help find jobs for Remploy workers
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A new scheme to help find employment for the Remploy workers put out of work by the UK Government’s decision to shut their factories, has been announced by the Welsh Government’s Minister for Education and Skills, Leighton Andrews.In a statement to the National Assembly, Mr Andrews said the Welsh Labour Government would be offering an Employer Support Grant for up to four years to encourage and support employers to offer employment in Wales to eligible disabled Remploy workers.
The scheme will contribute to the costs of wages and also pay companies for all other reasonable costs that may arise from employing a disabled person, e.g. workplace modification. It will cover former disabled Remploy employees who lost their jobs in the wake of the UK Government-driven closures of Remploy factories in 2012.
Funding will also be available to local authorities who can offer sheltered or suitable employment to ex-employees of Remploy for a minimum period of four years. The scheme is expected to cost up to £2.4m a year.
Last week, the UK Government confirmed it would be closing Remploy sites in Aberdare, Abertillery, Merthyr Tydfil, Swansea and Wrexham leading to the loss of at least 183 jobs. Disabled Remploy workers who lost their jobs in 2012 can receive advice on accessing this support by contacting the Welsh Government, within eight weeks of factory closures.
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