03 May 2010

Paul Murphy launches new IT facilities for young people in Torfaen

A scheme to give disadvantaged young people in Torfaen access to IT facilities has been launched by Torfaen MP Paul Murphy.

The project is the latest stage of Torfaen council’s project to ensure residents have access to 21st century technology, regardless of their background or social circumstances. State of the art facilities, including laptops and video conferencing facilities, have been installed at Torfaen Young People’s Support Service (TYPSS) to help deliver vital skills to support vulnerable young people looking for employment.

Mr Murphy, a former Digital Inclusion Minister, officially opened the new training facilities at a special launch ceremony on Friday 5 March.

After looking round the site, Paul Murphy said: “I am constantly amazed by the great strides Torfaen is taking in this area, particularly in relation to young people. It has given me huge pride to see TYPSS go from strength to strength over the past few years. The world is changing rapidly and it’s up to local authorities to ensure that young people, particularly those who are less advantaged, have access to digital technology. These facilities and the skills the young people can learn will be a real help to them with things like finding work.”

“It’s absolutely brilliant,” said Mark Lloyd, 18, who uses TYPSS regularly. “It’s amazing that somewhere like this small office has something so up-to-date. Having the technology here is just a major help when we do job club and training.”

TYPSS is a multi-agency support service for care leavers and young people aged between 16-21 years (up to 25 years for care leavers in higher education).

Just two years after it was set up, TYPSS is now firmly established and is regarded as a ‘flagship’ service, the only one of its kind in Wales. It currently supports more than 100 young people from the area. The project is the latest stage of a much-larger council-led initiative called Digital Torfaen which aims to give all residents access to modern technology, regardless of age, financial situation or social standing.

In addition to the new equipment, the council has also made a successful bid for ESF convergence funding. The funding will be used to employ a Learning Coach/Education Support Worker and a Training and Employment Manager to help young people acquire the skills to support them into employment.

TYPSS is based at Gwent House, Gwent Square, Cwmbran Town Centre (above Cwmbran library).

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