A new service providing simpler support for individuals looking to get into work has today been launched by the Welsh Government.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
‘Working Wales’, delivered by Careers Wales, aims to provide a simpler approach to employability support by providing individuals with a single point of contact through which they can access the personalised, expert advice and training they need to find and maintain good, long-term employment.
Economy Minister Ken Skates explained:
“We’ve made a lot of progress in Wales tackling unemployment and economic inactivity in recent years, but the launch of this new service gives us the opportunity to go even further through a smarter, more joined up way of providing support to individuals looking to get into, or back into work.
“Through the creation of Working Wales we want to make available easily accessible and more personalised support to people looking for work in Wales through which they can access the tailored advice, training and support they need to get into good quality employment.
“Working Wales does just that, making it easier for young people and adults to access the right support at the right time. It will see us work more collaboratively with partner organisations to ensure individuals are referred on to support and programmes appropriate to them and will enable us to work more closely with young people and adults across Wales, ultimately empowering them to gain the skills and experience that we know employers are looking for.”
The new, free advice service will look to maximise reach by being made available where it can have the biggest impact, be it face-to-face at Careers Wales offices, local job centres and community hubs, over the phone or through a new, dedicated website. It will be available to people over the age of 16 who are not in full time education, regardless of location, accessibility or personal circumstance, to support them into employment.
The launch of Working Wales is a key Programme for Government commitment of the Welsh Government.
Support available through Working Wales will include job specific training, job searches, CV writing, confidence building, interview preparation and finding work placements. Working Wales will also signpost individuals to programmes where they can access childcare support and transport assistance, traditionally two of the primary barriers to employment.
Nikki Lawrence, chief executive officer at Careers Wales, said:
“We’re very excited to be launching the Working Wales service and helping unemployed adults across Wales to take the steps they need to change their story.
“Whether an individual has left compulsory education, needs support entering employment or moving to full-time employment or is unemployed and just needs a bit of direction, we can provide the right guidance and support.
“Our dedicated advisers will develop a tailored programme for each individual which will identify their specific needs and requirements and help them to upskill, where necessary, format their CV, prepare for interviews, undertake work-related training and secure appropriate sustainable employment.”
For more information on Working Wales call 0800 0284844 or visit the Working Wales website.