HISTORY

1923 - 1933
MTIB started as a sheltered workshop for 14 blind miners. Later it became a registered charity, the blind and partially sighted workers weaved baskets, knitted socks and made brushes etc. and government agents, being appointed for the welfare of the blind within the borough of Merthyr Tydfil and started to receive legislated funding from local government.

1945 - 1960
People with other disabilities could be employed to assist the blind in their work. A change in the law now allowed MTIB to employ people with a range of disabilities which enabled new products to be manufactured.

1981 - 2001

A fire at the workshop at Pontmorlais meant that MTIB had to relocate to the site at Maesgwynne, Cefn Coed. MTIB developed its supported placement scheme, placing individuals with local organisations who provide them with training and employment. MTIB achieves the Investors in People standard in its 75th anniversary year and wins the People Development Prize at the Wales quality award, sponsored by the Employment Services. MTIB is one of the finalists in the Western Mail Business Awards.

MTIB Today
MTIB now employs over 60 people at its headquarters in the Triangle Business Park, who make frames for the furniture industry, timber and card/fibre fabrication, upholstered buttons and mops, as well as the administration of the supported placement scheme.

All employees in the manufacturing unit have achieved a minimum of NVQ level 1 and many have or are currently working towards NVQ level 2.

MTIB also supports in excess of 200 individuals in placements at host companies throughout South Wales on the WORKSTEP programme.

From L-R Linda Badman - Wales Director Jobcentre Plus, Dai Havard MP - Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, John Hutton MP - Secretary of State for Department for Work and Pensions and John Stacey - CEO, MTIB

John Hutton MP (Secretary of State for Department of Work and Pensions)
"Promoting personal responsibility and encouraging people to save for their future are at the heart of my department's reforms and that's why I am particularly pleased that my own department is publishing its own plans today and I'm here at Merthyr Tydfil Institute for the Blind to see what excellent work they do.".

Mission Statement

"To provide people with disabilities the opportunity for sustained employment."

Business Strategy

1) Direct Employment Strategy
To provide direct employment for people with disabilities through manufacturing and services, and generally throughout the organization.

2) External Funded Schemes Strategy
To assist people with disabilities into employment using Workstep or any other funding source and promote their ongoing training and development.

3) Networking Strategy
To network with employers in order to promote the employment of people with disabilities.

4) Sustained Employment Strategy
To encourage the employment of people with disabilities into sustained, non-supported employment.

5) Efficiency / Effectiveness Strategy
To operate an efficient and effective charity based organization.

6) Business Opportunities Strategy
To seek and identify opportunities to develop the business.