Council targets black and ethnic minority communities in recruitment drive

The event, held at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Port Talbot on Tuesday (24 January) was organised jointly by the council and the NPT BME Community Association.

Organisers say the event was aimed at making members of the ethnic minority community more comfortable with applying for jobs at Neath Port Talbot Council.

Cllr Saifur Rahaman, who represents the Port Talbot ward on the council, is secretary of the NPT BME Community Association.

Speaking at the event, Cllr Rahaman said: “The idea is of the event was to help raise the numbers of ethnic minority community members applying for and working for Neath Port Talbot Council.

“The recruitment information day was an informal, relaxed event at which ethnic minority community members could familiarise themselves with vacancies at the council and with the ways in which they can make applications for posts here.

“I was delighted with the turn-out for the event at which we were happy to arrange support in making job applications.”

Present at the event were employees from Neath Port Talbot Council and representatives from the NPT BME Community Association, Careers Wales, Communities For Work, Workways, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team (EYST) Employment Support, Neath College English for Speakers Of Other Languages (ESOL) Support and NPT Council for Voluntary Service.

Saira Liaqat who is hoping to use her qualifications in Chemical Engineering and Environmental Management to find work, travelled to the event from Bristol.

She said: “I was impressed with the welcome I received at the event and there was a lot of information available which will be very useful for me. 

“I need to get work in my chosen field to build up experience of the workplace because that is what employers are looking for and it seems that this is a welcoming place for those seeking employment and experience of the workplace.”

Diane Hopkins, Principal HR Manager at Neath Port Talbot Council said, “It was a great opportunity for the council to partner with the NPT BME Community Association at this event, to showcase the diverse jobs we have available and to provide guidance and advice on how to apply. We also had employees from our Ethnic Minority Employee Network at the event so they could share their experience of working for the Council with potential applicants.”

Sheenagh Rees, Head of People and Organisational Development added: “The Council is an inclusive employer and we are delighted to be strengthening our links with the NPT BME Community Association and other networks to encourage people to work for us who wouldn’t have previously considered a career with the Council.”

(Lead image: NPT Council)