Acorn by Synergie is proud to celebrate the success of two temporary candidates, Brandon Evans and Paul Currie, who have both secured permanent positions with Laing O’Rourke on the landmark project to electrify the arc furnaces at the Tata Steelworks. 

Both men are former Tata Steel employees, and their journeys highlight how targeted support, training and local partnerships can help people get back into meaningful work.

After facing redundancy, Brandon and Paul accessed funding through the Community Support Centre in Port Talbot. With the help of Acorn, they received employability support and guidance. 

This led them to undertake CPCS training with COTS Training in early January, enabling them to gain higher-level qualifications and strengthen their prospects within the construction and engineering sector.

Brandon Evans, from Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, worked at Tata Steel for 15 years as a train driver shunter before taking redundancy. Determined to move forward, he embraced the opportunity to retrain. “I was eager to learn new skills and Acorn was there,” Brandon said.

Paul Currie, from Briton Ferry, spent 10 years at Tata Steel working as a crane driver, flatbed driver and forklift driver. Reflecting on his redundancy and return to the site, Paul said: “Coming out of there was sad times. But since redundancy, Acorn have supported me all the way and I do appreciate it. I’m back at the Steelworks, thanks to Andrew [Putterill] and his colleagues, and all of their hard work.”

Laing O’Rourke has placed strong emphasis on creating opportunities for local people as part of the project. Paula Lunnon, Senior Social Advisor for Laing O’Rourke, said: “One of the key things for us as a business was always to make sure that any local opportunities we were able to offer, we could offer. It’s always been the driver to look locally. Myself as a social value worker, made sure we engaged with the Tata Support Hub from the very early stage.”

Acorn by Synergie has played a key role in connecting local talent with employers and training providers. Andrew Putterill, Engineering Manager at Acorn by Synergie, added: “As part of our ongoing commitment in the area, we’ve dealt with employability at the support centre, lots of local job fairs, engaged with a lot of local training providers and it’s great to help get people back into work.”

Brandon and Paul’s stories demonstrate the positive impact of collaboration between industry, training providers and community support, helping local people build new futures while supporting vital regional projects.