EIGHTEEN jobs could be lost at Barry’s Careers Wales office which faces closure due to an anticipated reduction in Welsh Government funding.

Staff at the Holton Road premises fear the service in the town is under threat with a 30-day consultation currently underway.

Careers Wales provides help for people who need career information, advice and guidance.

Vale MP and Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns said staff had informed him that they fear the service will cease and he has written to the Welsh Government voicing concerns.

Mr Cairns said he believed the Welsh Government was expected to cut Careers Wales funding by £2 million with 60 staff across Wales facing redundancy.

Mr Cairns said: “The Careers Wales facility in Barry employs 18 people, and provides easily accessible employment and career support to many in the town.

"I was very concerned to be told by local staff that they expect closure as a result of Welsh Government changes to the Careers Wales service.

“I have written to the Welsh Government to highlight the importance of the Careers Wales office to Barry and the surrounding area and to urge them to re-consider any plans to close the facility.

“Local people concerned about the potential closure should write to their AMs and ask them to challenge the Welsh Government to keep the centre open.”

A Welsh Government spokesman said that while Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa (CCDG) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Welsh Government, decisions on staffing are a matter for its board.

Careers Wales chief executive, Richard Spear said: “An anticipated reduction in our overall funding for 2017 to 2018 and a need to make further savings has resulted in a budget shortfall for the organisation.

“All options were explored to address this shortfall but we are anticipating making the required savings via a voluntary early release scheme, in line with compulsory redundancy avoidance best practice.

“A formal 30-day consultation is underway and we are working closely with Unison and staff to ensure that the process is managed with openness, transparency and fairness.

“We commend staff for their ongoing resilience and professionalism as we strive to achieve greater stability for the organisation.”