Are you looking for work and age 16 or over?
  

What is Bridges into Work?

The Bridges into Work project is a European funded project working across six areas of South Wales - Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend and Caerphilly. 

The aim of the project is to support local people to gain the skills and confidence to help them move towards employment.

Your nearest learning centre in Merthyr Tydfil is the Neighbourhood Learning Centre, 17-20 Pen-y-dre, Gurnos Estate and Treharris Training and Employment Centre, Edward Street, Treharris.

How will the project work?
 
If you live in any of the areas named above, are not in full time education or not working, then the Bridges into Work Project will offer you guidance, training and support to help you into employment.

As part of your Individual Learning Action Plan, we will offer you a range of free courses in order to gain the new skills and qualifications you need to progress.

Such courses include: 

• Job Specific Training
• Construction Trades
• Computer Courses
• Retail / Customer Service
• Learning Through the Outdoors
• Pre-employment courses with established companies including, Argos; Wilkinsons; Cwm Taf NHS & British Gas
• Literacy & Numeracy
• Job Search
• Life Support Programme
• Careers Information

For information on the dates and times when the courses are available please see the Bridges into Work timetable under Document Links on the right hand side of this page.

How will I benefit?

The Bridges into Work Project is here to help if you are not working, work less than 16 hours a week or not in full time education.

Our team will give you the opportunity to gain new skills and qualifications for the job you want.  You can access a wide variety of free courses and benefit from one to one support.  Through such support we will help to identify your needs including childcare where available.

For further information on the Bridges into Work project, please contact:
 
Bridges into Work
Neighbourhood Learning Centre
17 – 20 Pen y Dre
Gurnos
Merthyr Tydfil
CF47 9DY

Tel: 01685 727099
 
Treharris Training and Employment Centre
Edwards Street
Treharris
CF46 5ER

Tel: 01685 725040
 

Bridges into Work Hospitality Programme

If you are interested in working within the hospitality industry, Bridges into Work provides support for a number of related courses at Merthyr Tydfil College.

For more details, please click on the appropriate link on the right hand side of this page.

Partner Organisations

The Bridges into Work Project also works closely with partner organisations within Merthyr Tydfil, such as Adult Community Learning and the Life Support Programme, which provides further courses and personal support.

For more details, please click on the appropriate links on the right hand side of this page.

Welfare to Work

The Welfare to Work agenda has undertaken major changes in levels of benefit payment.  Please see the document links on the right hand side of this web page to view the finding of local research on the proporsed changes and impact of the welfare reform and the links between tackling worklessness and reducing child poverty for the County Boroughs of Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent and Rhondda Cynon Taff.

Genesis 2

What is Genesis 2?  

                        
Are you aged 16 years or over, out of work or claiming Income Support?  Are you ready to make a change but need some support to help overcome barriers you face? 

Genesis 2 is a project which helps individuals with the many issues that they may face when wanting to learn new skills or return to work. The Genesis 2 team works alongside individuals to help them explore their hopes and goals for the future.  The project is part-funded by European Convergence funding.

Based at Cwm Golau Integrated Children's Centre, Pentrebach, the Genesis 2 team could help participants to address the barriers which they feel are preventing them from working towards their individual goals.  One to one support is available from the Advisory Team, (initially in your own home), the team can offer support to take simple steps back into learning or work. 

In order to receive support from Genesis 2, the following national eligibility criteria will apply:

Project participants are:

• Legally resident in an eligible area;
• Legally entitled to work in the UK;
• Aged 16 or over on the day they commence participation on the project; and

Are either:
(Genesis specific criteria)

• A Parent who is out of work or working under 16 hours a week and not in receipt of Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) or ESA with a mandatory referral to the Work Programme; or
• People with other caring responsibilities who are not in work and not eligible for mandatory participation in the Work Programme; or
• A Parent of dependant children where the eligible parent is not in receipt of benefit and not in work (including partners of a working parent); or
• An Individual who is currently employed and diagnosed with post-natal depression (Convergence area only)
  
And:

• Require individualised support to enter training or move closer to the labour market or into work (or in the case of a Participant with post-natal depression, to remain in work). The level of individual support will be determined through discussion with a Genesis Wales advisor and will result in the completion of an Action Plan.
• Genesis is the most suitable/appropriate intervention for the participant and there is no other support available in the local area that can meet their specific needs.

We can talk you through what qualifications you need for the type of work you're looking for, advise you on a course that might be right for you and even show you how you can find opportunities for work experience and volunteering.  We can help with the things that may be stopping you from taking part in training or work (e.g.) we could offer free childcare for people accessing courses as part of our Genesis Activities Programme (the 'GAP').

The GAP'