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After its Caerphilly branch closed due to an expired lease, Careers Wales has confirmed no compulsory redundancies will be made as it looks to relocate staff.

Employees at the Windsor Street branch were told about the closure on Monday February 19, with one member of staff telling Caerphilly Observer that “no consideration” had been made regarding its possible relocation.

This prompted Hefin David, Caerphilly’s Labour Senedd Member, to meet with the Welsh Government’s careers advice organisation alongside Caerphilly MP Wayne David and Caerphilly Council deputy leader Jamie Pritchard.

After the meeting, Hefin David said: “While is it very disappointing that the lease is not being renewed on the Caerphilly office, I have received reassurances that there will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of the closure and that staff will be reallocated new bases.”

“Careers Wales advised me that they are already looking at how they could increase their presence in the town centre.

“They are already present in the job centre and are working with organisations to consider other potential outreach locations.

“Careers Wales will still have a presence in local schools and I was reassured that support for both young people and adults is available face-to-face or digitally to suit customer need.” 

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

Dr David continued: “Another concern of mine was what would happen to the building upon their departure, but they were forthcoming with suggestions about who may have an interest in the building and will be working with Caerphilly Council on that going forward.

“Overall, it is disappointing news, but the meeting did have a more positive outcome.”

Nikki Lawrence, chief executive at Careers Wales said: “I was pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with Hefin David MS to address his concerns, talk about our services in more detail and outline our longer-term plans.

“We are still exploring alternative arrangements in the Caerphilly area and the process of consulting with affected employees regarding their new bases has started. Customers can still access all of our services digitally, over the phone or via nearby Careers Wales centres in Pontypridd, Blackwood or Cardiff.”

Cllr Pritchard, who also attended the meeting, said: “When businesses or organisations announce they’re vacating premises in town centres, most recently with high street banks, we will always try to seek solutions where we can. We will investigate what we can possibly do as a council.”