EMPLOYMENT services are working hard at Llanwern in a bid to get redundant workers new jobs.

The on-site job centre is now fully staffed and open five days a week. The number of staff employed at the centre in the heart of the massive works is now eight and that could be increased.

Representatives from the Employment Service, ELWa (education and learning Wales) and Careers Wales are trying to get those steelworkers facing the dole straight into new work.

Corus is releasing workers so that they can attend advice sessions. Part of the help being offered is a CV writing service and a skills bank is being compiled in a bid to match job seekers with employers looking for workers.

Meanwhile hopes are that a Llanwern Jobsfair can be staged at the works to showcase the skills of the former steelworkers and also get potential employers on site to offer new jobs.

Meanwhile Careers Wales says it is working to help redundant Corus workers to find training, learning or employment opportunities and is making a "renewed push this week".

The careers service which offers guidance across the board to all age ranges has been given £250,000 as part of the overall £66m package agreed by the Welsh Assembly and national government.

Jan Jones, director of the Careers Wales Association, said: "It must be recognised that many of the employees at Corus thought they had a job for life.

"For some it is more than 20 years since they have needed to complete an application form or update their CV.

"The support individuals have received from Careers Wales advisers, whilst sympathetic to their plight, has very much focused on being positive and forward-looking.

"Advisers have enabled the Corus staff to identify the skills they already have, which are many, and that other employers will want. Information and advice has been provided on opportunities to update skills and learning that will secure a promising career for them.

"The £250k that Careers Wales will receive as part of the overall package of support will enable this work to continue. Coupled with the additional financial support provided to ELWa to supply special training opportunities, the positive attitude of Corus staff and the involvement of other partners, Careers Wales will dedicate their resources to ensuring that individuals are ready to access the range of support available and to make an effective move in to the new opportunities that await them."

The Employment Service telephone number at the Llanwern jobcentre is (01633) 755328.