June 11, 2021 - 1600 views
More than 54,000 people across Wales have been supported to improve their career prospects and get into work in the first two years of Working Wales, Welsh Government’s employability service.
Launched by Welsh Government in 2019, Working Wales is available to anyone over the age of 16 and not in full-time education.
The service, delivered by Careers Wales and backed by EU funds, offers a tailored approach to individuals, based on personal circumstances. Support available includes referrals to job-specific training, job searches and finding work placements.
To date, 67% of people contacting Working Wales have been referred to further support or opportunities including employment, funded education and training. Of these, nearly 5,500 individuals received intensive job search, interview skills and CV support.
Working Wales has proven its value over the pandemic by quickly diversifying its services in response to the impact of COVID-19 and the growing challenge of unemployment. To date, it has helped 54,351 people upskill, train and find jobs.
As part of the Welsh Government’s ambitious recovery plans from COVID-19, we are determined to ensure there is no lost generation, in a Wales that becomes an engine for sustainable, inclusive growth.
Working Wales provides free advice and guidance every day to people all across Wales to help them into work, whether that’s young people making their first transition to the workplace or people that are on low incomes and need to change their career.
Commenting on the success of Working Wales to date, Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething said:
"The service has seen an upsurge in people who have been made redundant or worried that they are at risk of being made redundant. Working Wales has never before been more valuable than during our current challenging times.
"Through Working Wales we aim to offer advice on how to get sustainable employment and create career paths. What we must never forget is that behind every single job created and vacancy filled, there is a human success story, of someone whose family income, self-esteem and life chances are all hugely improved by being in work.
"We are working with organisations across the board to ensure that people don’t just find a job, but a good job, and Working Wales is changing people’s stories by helping them find work, upskill through courses and access training, support or funding opportunities. It is crucial that people are positive about their future job opportunities, and Working Wales helps engage, motivate, and reassure them of their worth.
"With 4.4% of people aged 16 to 64 in Wales currently unemployed (Labour Force Survey, January to March 2021), Working Wales adapted its services to continue to provide support to those facing barriers to employment."
Nikki Lawrence, Chief Executive of Careers Wales, said: "We are so proud of everything Working Wales has achieved since its launch two years ago. The pandemic has taught us that we can adapt our services in challenging times to continue to offer meaningful support and opportunities to people across Wales who are looking for work or to improve their job prospects.
"The impact of the pandemic on the job market has certainly been the most difficult challenge we’ve faced in recent years with many people having to overcome additional barriers to finding work. Through our teams of dedicated advisers working all across Wales, we want to continue to empower people to gain the skills and experience we know employers are looking for, now more than ever."
To find out how Working Wales can help you, call 0800 028 4844 or visit the Working Wales website.
