Support pledge for staff facing Virgin jobs blow
ATASK force is to be set up to provide support for hundreds of people being made redundant by Virgin Media.
The Welsh Government, Swansea Council, the Department for Work and Pensions and private sector organisations are joining forces after the company confirmed it was closing its centre in the city.
A total of 772 jobs will go when the Llansamlet site closes in July next year, 552 staff and 220 sub-contractors.
Economy Secretary Ken Skates said: “I remain deeply disappointed by Virgin Media’s decision to close its Swansea site and my thoughts are very much with the site’s award-winning workforce and their families at this difficult time.
“Our priority now is ensuring that affected staff have access to the advice and support they need and through our Welsh Government-led task force we will continue to work with Swansea Council and a range of partners to identify alternative employment opportunities for displaced staff and achieve the best possible outcome for everyone involved.”
Rob Stewart, leader of Swansea Council, said: “We’ve been talking to Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport Ken Skates and we’re both determined to do all we can help those affected.
“Virgin Media’s decision is highly regrettable. But we want to reassure staff that we’re on their side and we will do all we can to help those affected to find employment.
“Virgin’s staff have skills which can be used by other call-centre organisations in South Wales and members of the task force have already been getting in touch with companies like BT, Admiral and Tui to see what they might have to offer.
“In addition to that the Welsh Government has agreed to provide additional support through its React programme, which offers incentives to recruiting companies to employ staff being made redundant from other organisations.”
The programme triggers access to funding for recruiters and those affected by redundancy. This includes provision for training support, vocational training and other costs like transport and child care while an individual is undergoing retraining.
Cllr Stewart said: “We are optimistic everyone at Virgin Media who wants to seek further employment in the sector can be found a new job.
“It’s just been announced that we are bidding for European Regional Development Fund support to help create more than 900 new business sector jobs in the city centre.
“We are in the final stages of these discussions and these jobs will be in addition to those identified to assist Virgin Media staff.”
Following the company’s initial announcement, the council and Welsh Government lobbied Virgin Media strongly to reverse its decision. At the same time the partners started planning in case Virgin decided to press ahead with closure.