Jobs Growth Wales+ statistics: October to December 2024

This headline presents information on young people enrolled on the Jobs Growth Wales+ (JGW+) programme.

The data in this release covers the third quarter of the 2024-25 financial year (October 2024 to December 2024). Figures are provisional and are likely to be revised in future publications as data is updated. The Jobs Growth Wales (JGW+) programme came into operation for new starts on the 1^st of April 2022.

• During October to December 2024 there were 4,090 active JGW+ programmes, 2,865 of which continued from the previous quarter and 1,225 of which were new starts. At the end of December 2024, 3,190 programmes were continuing.
• The number of starts in October 2024 to December 2024 has increased by 1.7% compared to the same quarter in the previous year (1,225 compared to 1,205).
• 900 JGW+ programmes ended during October to December 2024, of which 585 were completed. Of the programmes that ended, 57.5% of leavers had a positive outcome based on their destination within four weeks of completing the programme.
• The local authority with the highest number of starts in October to December 2024 was Cardiff (18.2%), followed by Caerphilly (8.2%) and Neath Port Talbot (8.1%). The lowest number of starts was in Flintshire (0.4%), followed by Gwynedd (0.7%) and Powys (0.9%).
• The local authority with the highest number of completed programmes in October to December 2024 was Newport (10.4%), followed by Swansea (9.5%) and Neath Port Talbot (9.2%). The lowest number of completed programmes was in Powys and Denbighshire (both 0.5%), followed by Monmouthshire (0.7%).
• By the end of December 2024, there had been 14,560 JGW+ programme starts since the programme began in April 2022. 11,480 of those programmes have ended with 7,530 completed.

Figure 1: Destination of Jobs Growth Wales+ leavers, October to December 2024 (provisional)

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Description of Figure 1: This bar chart shows the proportion of Jobs Growth Wales+ leavers between October to December 2024 by destination after completing the programme. The largest single category is ‘Seeking work or unemployed’ at 33.6% (300 participants. This is followed by ‘Learning – higher level’ at 28.8% (260 participants) and ‘Employed’ at 25.3% (230 participants).

Source: Lifelong Wales Learning Record (LLWR)

The purpose of the Jobs Growth Wales+ Youth Programme is to deliver consolidated and individualised training, development and employability support to 16 to 19 year olds who are assessed as NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) at the time of starting the JGW+ programme.

The JGW+ programme will support delivery of the Welsh Government’s strategic priorities to tackle the consequences and risk factors associated with young people being NEET, which are integral to the Young Persons Guarantee, Stronger, Fairer, Green Wales (the plan for employability and skills), the Programme for Government and to our Well-being Objectives.

Main delivery objectives of the JGW+ programme

• Contribute towards a reduction in the number of 16 to 19 year olds who are NEET.
• Achieve positive outcomes for 16 to 19 year olds at risk of becoming NEET.
• Progress Well-being of Future Generations objectives by delivering employability support for 16 to 19 year olds that provides equal opportunities (including Welsh language), promotes well-being and fair work, and helps embed environmental approaches that reduce harm.

The period from 1 March 2022 to 31 March 2022 was a period of transition for learners previously on the Traineeships programme.

The proportion of Jobs Growth Wales Plus starts and completions by local authorities might be influenced by the population of 16 to 19 year olds in each local authority. For instance, a local authority with a higher population of 16 to 19 year olds is likely to account for a higher proportion of starts and completions.

Positive outcomes

Positive outcomes are measured on the learner’s destination within four weeks of leaving their JGW+ programme. For learners on the Engagement and Advancement Strands, a positive outcome is either progression to learning at a higher level, progression into employment (full-time, part-time or self-employment) or progression to an Apprenticeship. For learners on the Employment Strand, a positive outcome is either progression into employment (full-time, part-time (16 or more hours per week) or self-employment) or progression to an Apprenticeship.

For disabled learners, employment of less than 16 hours per week is also classed as a positive outcome.

Voluntary work, further learning at the same or lower level, and employment of less than 16 hours per work are all classed as neutral outcomes. Learners with these outcomes are excluded from the denominator when calculating positive outcome rates.

Seeking work/unemployed and all other outcomes (including where the destination within four weeks is not known) are classed as negative outcomes.

Data source

Data is drawn from the November 2024 freeze of the Lifelong Learning Wales Record (LLWR). JGW+ Contractors must submit information to the Welsh Government at least monthly on all young people, their programmes, activities and awards under the JGW+ programme.

All numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5. Percentages are calculated on the unrounded numbers.

The quarterly headline for April 2024 to June 2024 was not published. The data will be included in the annual release published in June 2025.

Statistician: Marcela Beck
Email: labourmarket.stats@gov.wales

Media: 0300 025 8099