Tata Steel: Port Talbot apprentices worry about future

Kieran Harris' great-grandfather was the first of four generations to work at Port Talbot's steelworks.

Now Kieran, 18, is doing an apprenticeship with Tata Steel, which has announced 2,800 jobs cuts, with most expected to be in Port Talbot.

He said he's worried for the community but still optimistic there will be job opportunities at the site.

The chairman of the Swansea Bay City region urged young people to "stick with us" despite "devastating" cuts.

Kieran has already spent a short time working at the coke ovens at Tata, which he "really enjoyed", before he started his mechanical engineering apprenticeship.

He's following in the footsteps of several family members including his father and uncle. "It's been in my family the whole time I've known," he said.

He said the news about job losses was "very nerve wracking" and a huge blow to the area.

However, due to his non-production apprenticeship, he hopes his role will not be affected by the announced cuts.

"I'm quite optimistic that with the community, we can pull through the hard times and hopefully see out the brighter side when we can produce green steel and everybody can have a job," he said.

Jay Morris, 18, from Neath, like Kieran, is in the first year of a four year apprenticeship with Tata.

He understands the concern of workers fearing for their jobs but he thinks their skills will be in demand elsewhere.

"I think that even if jobs do go, there will be other roles for those employees to fill," he said.

Long term, he would like to work as an engineer at the Tata plant, where two new arc furnaces are set to be installed.

The planned electric arc furnace will produce steel in a greener way and will mean many roles are retained on site - little comfort for those who fear their jobs will go when the current blast furnaces are shut down.

Kathryn Dunstan, of NPTC Colleges, said there was a "flurry of excitement" when Tata released its apprentice applications.

"Our students see it as an opportunity. They aspire to work at Tata Steel, they see it as secure employment with good opportunities and good prospects," she said.

She said the news about the site was "certainly worrying" but said there was a range of "exciting initiatives" in Neath Port Talbot including a Global Centre for Rail Excellence and plan for offshore wind generation.

Ms Dunstan said it was up to government at all levels, as well as colleges and training providers, "to make sure that there are employment opportunities for young people".

And developing the area's economy is a core purpose of the Swansea Bay City Region - its plans now badly hit by the "devastating" news about steel jobs, according to its chairman Rob Stewart.

"It's really undermining the efforts that we have to create quality jobs in south Wales," said Mr Stewart, who is also leader of Swansea council.

"There are now going to be limitations to what you can do in the steel industry because of the decisions made," he said, addressing young people hopeful of finding work.

"I hope that we can reverse them, but there are going to be other opportunities coming along through the economy we're creating in south Wales.

"As those opportunities come along stick with us, look at the careers you could potentially have in the area and we'll support you to pursue those careers in this region."