A FORMER oil rig worker is backing a new campaign aimed at raising awareness of how to access training and careers advice.

53-year-old Richard Wilkes now works at the Dow Corning site, in Barry, thanks to the help he got following his redundancy.

He has been chosen to feature in a new marketing campaign to promote skills and inspire people to contact the Skills Gateway for Adults to get careers information, support and advice on how to improve their vocational skills and employability.

Mr Wilkes had worked on oil rigs for a number of years when his role was made redundant. He was looking for a new job when a friend told him that he might be able to get funding for a course to further his skills with the aim of securing a new role.

He said: “I went to Careers Wales to find out more about this funding and they helped me apply for it.”

Mr Wilkes benefited from ReAct funding, which is supported by the Welsh Government and European Social Fund and covers the cost of training courses for workers who have been made redundant.

He said: “I did a week-long ropes access course. It’s a specialist course that’s particularly useful for people working on oil rigs and within the industrial work sector as it eliminates the need for scaffolding.

“The course was really worthwhile as it means I can be considered for a wider range of jobs.

“A few weeks after completing the course I landed work at Dow Corning.

“My role there involves pipe lagging and insulation. It’s like when you do your loft but on an industrial scale.”

The Welsh Government has this week launched a new, integrated, marketing campaign, supported by the European Social Fund, to promote vocational skills across print, digital, radio and social media channels.

Ten adults from across Wales who have benefited from a range of Welsh Government-backed programmes – from advice to training and funding – have been chosen to front the campaign, with the aim of inspiring others seeking to improve their employability and skills in the New Year, including Mr Wilkes.

Skills Gateway for Adults is managed and delivered by Careers Wales and offers bilingual careers information, advice and support. The service can be accessed online at careerswales.com, via the Careers Wales helpline or face-to-face at careers centres and outreach venues across Wales.

Mr Wilkes said: “I really benefitted from the careers help I received. I would recommend anyone who needs careers advice to contact the Skills Gateway for Adults.”

To access Skills Gateway for Adults visit www.CareersWales.com/SkillsGateway, call the Careers Wales helpline on 0800 028 4844 or follow @SkillsGatewayCW