New information reveals the best variety of college leavers progressing straight into the labour market in 15 years

• 13 p.c of 12 months 13’s determined to go straight into employment in 2023
• Working Wales can present free assist and steerage to younger folks forward of outcomes day

 As examination outcomes are being launched, the Welsh Authorities is urging younger folks in Wales to discover the assorted choices and assist obtainable to them of their post-school or school endeavours.

Based on current information¹ from Wales’s nationwide careers recommendation service, Careers Wales, there was a major improve within the variety of college students coming into the workforce instantly after finishing 12 months 11. This proportion is the best it has been since 2008 at 9%.

Nevertheless, regardless of seeing this rise in 12 months 11 college students coming into the workforce, the bulk nonetheless select to pursue full-time training (FTE) as their most well-liked path.

Figures additionally confirmed that younger ladies in Wales have been extra prone to keep in training, in comparison with their male counterparts. In 12 months 13, there was a notable distinction of 9.2% factors between the variety of younger men and women persevering with in full-time training.

Because of the Welsh Authorities’s Younger Individual’s Assure, all younger folks in Wales have entry to a wide range of assist to help them of their journeys. The Younger Individual’s Assure was established to make sure all under-25s in Wales can entry assist to achieve a spot in training or coaching, discover a job, or develop into self-employed.

Working Wales gives free and neutral careers recommendation and steerage to highschool and school leavers, providing assist to assist younger folks confidently navigate their subsequent steps.

Upon finishing her A-levels, 18-year-old Sophie Seymour from Newport efficiently secured an apprenticeship, selecting a special path than most younger ladies, who usually decide to proceed in training.

Sophie confronted uncertainty when she acquired her outcomes, main her to discover numerous paths earlier than in the end securing an apprenticeship with the steerage of her Working Wales adviser.

She defined: “An apprenticeship had by no means actually been part of my plan. I initially thought I wished to be a flight attendant, after which I assumed I wished to be a instructor or a police officer. I even utilized for some college programs, earlier than I realised that this wasn’t the fitting pathway for me. I used to be actually confused about what to do.“

Sophie efficiently secured an apprenticeship in a neighborhood journey agent. Nevertheless, when it got here time for her interview, she sought steerage from Working Wales, following a suggestion from her buddy.

“I used to be actually excited concerning the apprenticeship, as a result of I cherished the concept of working in journey, however I get anxious, particularly throughout interviews. I used to be frightened that my nerves would possibly have an effect on my probabilities of securing the place. My careers adviser, Shawney, was extremely useful in getting ready me.”

“Shawney helped with apply inquiries to ensure that I felt assured, and after I had doubts, she actually inspired me that I used to be doing nicely. She additionally gave me workouts to assist me cease tapping and fidgeting after I grew to become nervous, which was an enormous assist.”

Because of the assist Sophie acquired, she handed her interview and secured her apprenticeship on the journey agent.

Sophie mentioned, “Having somebody to speak to, who had a deep understanding of the method and knew about all of the completely different choices obtainable to me was invaluable. As a result of she understood how demanding the interview was for me, I felt like she was simply a lot extra understanding of my wants and how you can work with me.”

With a brand new wave of younger folks starting to put the foundations of their careers, it’s necessary to grasp the long run wants of the Welsh financial system. The necessity for a tech literate workforce is rising, with new information displaying that the variety of on-line job adverts asking for Microsoft Excel has doubled within the final 3 years in Wales².

This was one thing Sophie was acutely aware of when she was in school. She mentioned: “I did an IT A-level as I do know so many alternative jobs contain expertise, and I wished to ensure that I had the mandatory expertise employers are on the lookout for.“

Nikki Lawrence, Chief Govt of Careers Wales, mentioned:

“Stories like Sophie’s showcase the significance of younger folks reaching out for assist at no matter stage they really feel they want it most. Offering each sensible and compassionate recommendation is prime to our providing, and it’s inspiring to listen to what an affect this has.

“Sophie’s story additionally reminds us that there are completely different choices obtainable for younger folks receiving their outcomes, and it’s necessary that they’re conscious they’ll discover any of those routes. 

“As at all times, we’re right here to assist anybody who would possibly want assist after getting their outcomes this summer season.  We are able to provide professional recommendation and steerage to assist younger folks entry routes they may not have beforehand thought of to realize their objectives.

“Younger folks have so much on their minds, particularly at the moment of yr, and we all know that some folks can develop into overwhelmed with making selections about their future careers or won’t know the choices obtainable to them. There may be the fitting path on the market for everybody, and our Working Wales careers advisers are right here to assist them take the primary steps in direction of discovering that.”

A good portion of younger people in Wales (31%) have expressed pessimism concerning their future training or employment prospects³. Though the world of labor might seem to be a frightening place, the truth is a way more optimistic one. Analysis in 2024 by Labour Market Analytics firm Lightcast, discovered that the demand for digital expertise is already rising, with additional development forecast for key sectors akin to vitality and well being.

Certainly, quite a few sectors throughout the Welsh financial system are anticipated to see actual development over subsequent 5 years and as they achieve this, so too do the profession prospects of 1000’s of individuals taking their first profession steps.

Ken Skates, Cupboard Secretary for the Financial system, Transport and North Wales mentioned:

 “It’s encouraging to see our younger folks following completely different pathways after getting their outcomes, serving to us to create a wholesome basis for our future workforce in Wales and demonstrating that there’s a path to a affluent profession in Wales for everybody, no matter background or circumstance.

“As at all times, forward of the outcomes interval this yr, I’d wish to want everybody ready for outcomes good luck, and encourage younger learners and people round them  to familiarise themselves with the  Younger Individual’s Assure and the raft of assist and choices that are actually obtainable to college students in Wales.

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For extra details about the Younger Individual’s Assure, and how you can entry assist round outcomes, go to the Working Wales web site, name free on 0800 028 4844, converse to an adviser by way of webchat, or e-mail [email protected]