A PROJECT helping those over 50 and people with work-limiting health conditions to get into employment has helped 25 Torfaen residents find permanent jobs over the past 18 months.

The Second Success initiative run by Torfaen Council’s employability team is sourcing a wide range of roles for disabled people, single parents, and young people not in education or training.

The scheme is creating diverse opportunities in fields such as sport, the arts, horticulture and youth work – alongside modern sectors such as software development, social media, and graphic design.

The training is being funded through Wales Council for Voluntary Action’s Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) programme, which is part-financed by the European Social Fund.

Among those who have ended up with permanent jobs is Sally Crees, from Pontypool, who had difficulties finding employment after being made redundant.

She found out about ILM by going to the Torfaen employability team’s job fair where she met one of the employment engagement advisors.

Mrs Crees is now employed by Eve Victoria Candles at Mamhilad Park Industrial Estate. She has learnt about the the process of manufacturing diffusers and candles from start to finish.

She said: “I handed in my CV and although I didn’t have any job in mind, they immediately found the right position for me.”