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Staff at Careers Wales’ Caerphilly branch have been told there is likely to be compulsory redundancies after the organisation announced its lease has expired.

Employees at the Windsor Street branch were only told of the closure on Monday February 19, and that “no consideration” had been made regarding its possible relocation.

Careers Wales plans on making up to 38 employees redundant across Wales, in light of budget cuts totalling £2.3 million next financial year.

The careers advice organisation said it is currently looking for voluntary redundancies, in addition to giving staff the option to reduce hours.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, a staff member described the surprise announcement as a “terrible way to treat staff and clients”, as well as a “knee-jerk reaction” to the lease expiring.

The employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Advisers and staff are not happy about this situation, but everyone is too frightened to say anything.

“At the meeting we were asked for ideas on how we could deliver the service post-closure. There was talk of the library, the Jobcentre and other totally unsuitable places.

“We are a public service paid for by the Welsh Government, and I find it shocking how Careers Wales management can do more or less anything they want in running the organisation.”

A Careers Wales spokesperson said: “The Caerphilly careers centre will be closing, due to the expiration of our lease on March 1, 2024.

“Employees based at the centre are not at risk of compulsory redundancy as a result of this closure. We have already started conversations with affected colleagues and will continue to engage with them whilst we reallocate them to a new base.

“We have been exploring alternative arrangements within the Caerphilly area over the past few months and will continue to do so. In the interim customers can still access all of our services digitally, over the phone or via nearby Careers Wales centres in Pontypridd, Blackwood or Cardiff.

“Separate to this, Welsh Government has confirmed that Careers Wales will see a reduction of £2.3m in 2024/25. We will achieve this through non-staff costs, vacancy management, reducing the workforce and changing the services we deliver/offer.

“We have identified the need to reduce the workforce by 38 full-time equivalents. Employees are being offered the opportunity to reduce hours, work flexibly or to apply for a voluntary exit scheme to achieve this reduction.”

Hefin David, Caerphilly’s Labour Senedd Member, added: “I am extremely concerned to hear about the impending closure of Careers Wales’ Caerphilly office. I have contacted both senior management at Careers Wales and the trade union representing its staff, to request an urgent meeting.”

This article was amended to make it clearer that Careers Wales was making 38 redundancies across Wales and that it was currently looking at voluntary redundancies.