Bute Energy has announced an exciting partnership with the Big Issue to assist disadvantaged jobseekers in finding employment at the new Twyn Hywel Energy Park in South Wales. This initiative is part of a broader effort to create renewable energy jobs for individuals facing employment barriers in Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Big Issue Recruit will collaborate with jobseekers to prepare them for potential employment opportunities with contractors involved in the 92.3MW Twyn Hywel project, located near Caerphilly. The partnership aims to employ a dedicated job coach who will help candidates from the local community overcome various obstacles to employment.
“With construction set to begin in 2026 and completion expected by 2027, Twyn Hywel will be the UK’s first generating onshore wind development built under the new Labour Government,” said a Bute Energy spokesperson. The project received approval from the Welsh Government in November and is anticipated to create hundreds of jobs directly and through its supply chain.
The initiative will kick off with a six-month pilot program, where a dedicated job coach will work intensively with around 50 candidates. Big Issue Recruit’s employability support will prepare these candidates for various roles, helping them gain the skills necessary for local businesses contributing to the Twyn Hywel development.
Big Issue Recruit is a national service that helps candidates tackle complex barriers to work, including poor mental health and digital exclusion. Participants will undergo a comprehensive 12-week training program, after which they will be certified as “work ready.” This certification will assist them in securing and maintaining employment.
Job coaches from Big Issue will continue to check in with candidates who find work with contractors supplying goods and services for the Twyn Hywel project. This ongoing support is crucial for helping individuals sustain their new positions.
Catherine Parsons, Managing Director of Big Issue Recruit, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We’re excited to bring this approach to South Wales and connect people with the brilliant local employer that is Bute Energy and their state-of-the-art energy park at Twyn Hywel.”
Catryn Newton, Bute Energy’s Director of Communications and Community Investment, highlighted the potential for the pilot program to extend to other renewable energy projects if successful. “We’re proud to have partnered with Big Issue Recruit. They’ve shown employers that it’s possible to support a more inclusive, upskilled workforce by creating pathways to sustainable careers,” Newton stated.
The Twyn Hywel Energy Park will be built approximately 3 km north of Caerphilly in the Aber Valley and will feature 14 turbines, generating 92.4MW of electricity. This output is equivalent to taking all cars off the road in Caerphilly County Borough each year or powering 81,000 homes.
Additionally, Bute Energy has established the Twyn Hywel Community Benefit Fund, which has committed to investing over £30 million into the local community over the 40-year lifespan of the project. This investment underscores Bute Energy’s mission to leave a positive, lasting legacy for the communities hosting its energy parks.
As Bute Energy and Big Issue work together, this partnership not only aims to enhance employment opportunities but also to contribute meaningfully to the local economy and environment in South Wales.
