Royal Recognition For Team’s Support For Young People

A partnership between the Council’s Skills and Training department and The Prince’s Trust has led staff all the way to Buckingham Palace in recognition of their outstanding commitment to improving the lives of young people within the community. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The department has worked alongside the charity for over twenty six years and has supported over 2000 individuals from Neath Port Talbot on The Prince’s Trust’s flagship ‘Team’ programme, which is designed to help jobless young people gain the skills and confidence they need to find work. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The strength of this relationship led to staff members from Skills and Training, receiving an invitation to a special Royal Garden Party held at Buckingham Palace last week to celebrate the charity’s 40th anniversary. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Prince’s Trust recently awarded Skills and Training the prestigious title of best delivery partner in Wales, an award which recognises the outstanding delivery of the Team Programme locally. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

During the 12-week Team course, participants attend workshops to help them develop employability skills, undertake a community project, complete vocational experience and gain nationally recognised qualifications. They also go on a week-long residential, where various team building activities are completed. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council Cllr Ali Thomas said: “These invitations are recognition of the commitment from our employees and highlight the excellent work that Skills and Training undertakes on a daily basis. The Team Programme provides excellent opportunities and support for all young people who attend the course, with many of them progressing onto further education or sustainable employment”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Operations Manager Paul Williams, one of the four members of staff who attended the event on Tuesday 17th May, said: “We were delighted to receive invitations to attend the Royal Garden Party and each of us were extremely honoured to be part of such a prestigious occasion.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Richard Saunders, Team Manager Wales for The Prince’s Trust Cymru said: “I would like to personally thank everyone at Neath Port Talbot Council’s Skills and Training for the dedication and support they offer young people in the area and look forward to continuing this highly successful partnership in the future.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​