PEMBROKESHIRE’s participation in the Government’s Work Programme scheme was under the spotlight as the Secretary of State came to visit last week.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith MP, visited Pembrokeshire College to find out how the scheme has been working here to help the long-term unemployed back into work.

Pembrokeshire College is the lead deliverer of the Work Programme across both Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion – and it has been ranked as one of the leading deliverers since it started in 2011 – currently supporting around 1,000 people.

Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb helped secure a visit by Mr Duncan Smith to showcase the work that the college’s team has been doing to help support people back into work locally.

Mr Duncan Smith met both staff and customers of the Work Programme, as well as finding out more about the resources on offer and came at the end of a year when unemployment levels have fallen steadily in Preseli Pembrokeshire.

Mr Duncan Smith said: “I was delighted to visit Pembrokeshire College with Stephen and see how the Work Programme is making a real difference to the hardest to help jobseekers.

“It was a pleasure to meet the team and congratulate them for their hard work and dedication.

“The fall in unemployment figures in Preseli Pembrokeshire is extremely positive news, as it is in the rest of the country, and shows just why the Work Programme is so important to the long-term unemployed.”

The two MPs also visited children’s play area, café and nursery the Lion’s Den in Haverfordwest, set up by Hayley Thomas with support from the New Enterprise Allowance scheme.

She has worked hard to develop the business since it was founded in 2011 and now employs 15 staff members.

Hayley was recently selected to attend a reception at Number 10 to recognise the success stories of the Government’s new scheme and support for businesses.

“I am pleased to have arranged for the Secretary of State to come to Pembrokeshire and see the excellent progress being made in tackling unemployment this year. I have been very impressed with the way that the team at Pembrokeshire College, as local providers of the Work Programme, have been delivering intensive support to the long-term jobless.

“The performance of the Work Programme and our local Job Centre Plus has been very encouraging and it is good that Ian Duncan-Smith has been able to see it firsthand,” added Mr Crabb.

Director of business, development and community services at the college, Dr Geoff Elliott, said: “The success of the Work Programme at the college is testament to the hard work and commitment of the staff who work within this challenging sector. Our results show that the key to tackling long-term unemployment is ensuring that people receive the individual support they need to help them back into sustainable employment.”