Eight people were celebrating on Friday after picking up awards at a prestigious ceremony to mark the success of the Government's New Deal initiative in helping people back to work in West Wales. To celebrate that, West Wales Jobcentre Plus has helped over 1,700 people through the initiative over the last year, Wales Office Minister Nick Ainger met the winners at the awards ceremony held in the Ivy Bush Hotel, Carmarthen. The award winners were for the categories of New Deal for Young People, New Deal 25 Plus, New Deal 50 Plus, New Deal for Lone Parents and New Deal for Partners and New Deal gateway. Karen Garnon, aged 22, of Goodwick, was one of the winners. She suffers with severe learning disabilities and, thanks to the New Deal for Young People, has secured her first ever job at Langton Hall residential home in Scleddau. Karen said: "I couldn't have got this job without the support of my New Deal advisor. She still visits me to offer me support even though I have been taken on at Langton Hall permanently." Nick Ainger said: "I warmly congratulate all the winners in the various New Deal categories who have shown great enterprise in pursuing new careers.   "Such achievements could not happen without partnership, and I very much welcome the co- operation of Jobcentre Plus, the Government, National Assembly, local authorities, training providers, the voluntary sector and employers, who have all played their part in making this possible. "I wish the winners and indeed all those taking part in the New Deal scheme the very best for their future success." Other winners include Paula Beedels, of Narberth, Christine Jones, of Llanelli, William Bywater, of Burry Port, Steve Rees, of Llanelli, Dafydd Rees, of Ammanford, Keith Owens, of Pembrokeshire and Anthony Jenkins, of Carmarthenshire. The winner of Employer of the Year award went to S&J training for recognition of their support for New Deal during 2005, while Training Provider of the Year went to Ceredigion Training.