Nine young people across North Staffordshire have been supported into training and employment through a bursary scheme backed by UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE), a Tata Steel subsidiary.
UKSE has partnered with YMCA North Staffordshire to deliver Employability Bursaries, helping young people under 25 overcome practical barriers when taking their first steps into work.
Removing barriers to employment
The bursaries have so far supported nine young people with essentials including transport to interviews, photo ID, professional clothing and basic work equipment or tools.
Among those to benefit is Demi, who secured her dream role as a support worker for adults with disabilities.
Demi said:
“The bursary support has been a total gamechanger for my job. It's helped me with travel costs to get to my interview, induction training and my daily commute, and has made my first few weeks stress free, allowing me to focus on my work rather than how I'm going to get there and back.” Hairdressing student Djwanna also used the bursary to purchase essential tools and equipment to complete her Level 1 and 2 hairdressing qualification and build her portfolio.
She said: “The funding has helped to widen and improve my skills and professional development. I've been able to purchase essential tools and equipment, which has allowed me to build my confidence in the industry and flourish.”
Supporting local communities
UKSE Regional Manager Steve Grice said:
“It's great to see the real difference these bursaries are making. Nine young people supported into training and employment is a fantastic result, and Demi and Djwanna's stories show exactly why we backed this scheme.”
Since 1975, UKSE has invested more than £115 million in businesses and helped create more than 83,000 jobs, supporting businesses and communities across the UK.
About Tata Steel UK
- The Tata Steel Group has been named one of the most ethical companies in the world, and is among the top producing global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 million tonnes.
- Tata Steel in the UK has the ambition to produce net-zero steel by 2045 at the latest, and to have reduced 30% of its CO2 emissions by 2030.
- In October 2024, Tata Steel ceased ironmaking at its Port Talbot site and temporarily paused steelmaking pending the construction of a 3.2Mtpa Electric Arc Furnace, due to be commissioned late in 2027 / early 2028. For that period, the business will import slab and hot rolled coil to support manufacturing and distribution operations at sites across Wales, England and Northern Ireland as well as Norway, Sweden, France, Germany and UAE. It also benefits from a network of sales offices around the world.
- Throughout 2024 Tata Steel UK has been undergoing a restructuring that will reduce the size of its workforce to around 5000 direct employees, supplying high-quality steel products to demanding markets, including construction and infrastructure, automotive, packaging and engineering.
- Tata Steel Group is one of the world's most geographically-diversified steel producers, with operations and a commercial presence across the world.
- The Group recorded a consolidated turnover of around US$27.3 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2026.
- Tata Steel has long played a key role in enabling the UK economy to become more circular. Its products are highly durable, reusable and recyclable, It applies a sustainability assessment tool during its new product development process to measure the sustainability credentials of its new offerings.
- More information about the crucial role that Tata Steel UK already plays in driving the UK to a more circular economy, and its plans to play an even greater role, can be found in its recently-published Sustainability Report covering 2023-2025.