A trust set up to support local people develop workplace skills in Pembrokeshire has received a donation of £500 from Valero Pembroke Refinery.

The Danny Fellows Training Trust was launched in January in memory of Pembrokeshire Lottery founder Danny Fellows, who was committed to improving the employment prospects of Pembrokeshire people. The Trust will provide loan funding to individuals in Pembrokeshire who want to gain additional skills and industry recognised qualifications that fall outside established funding mechanisms.

Valero Refinery public affairs manager Stephen Thornton, speaking after presenting the Trust with a cheque, said: “Pembroke Refinery and the other Haven industries have long supported skilled jobs here in Pembrokeshire, and ensuring we have those skills available for the future is something that will benefit everyone in the local economy. The vision of the Danny Fellows Training Trust is something that Valero supports completely and we hope this donation will go some way towards achieving that principled goal of developing home-grown workplace skills.”

Chair of trustees, Laurence Holt, said: “The Trust aims, through our loan funding mechanism, to help build a positive programme to sustain and improve employment skills in the vital energy, engineering and construction sectors here in Pembrokeshire. Since we were established earlier this year we have had very encouraging support from local businesses who recognise the benefits of having a strong and skilled workforce here in Pembrokeshire, and this donation from Valero is a further indication of that support, for which we are incredibly thankful.”

For further details visit www.dannyfellowstrainingtrust.org.uk.