Skills Minister, Jack Sargeant, recently visited a Working Wales careers centre to meet individuals who have turned their careers around in their 40s and 50s with the support from a Working Wales career review.
Working Wales are currently running a campaign to encourage more people across Wales to take up the offer of their free career review.
The review is an opportunity to explore and consider new career possibilities with an experienced and professionally trained careers adviser. It is open to people of all ages who are considering a career change for any reason, which could include:
- Looking for a better work-life balance
- Planning a return to work after caring for others
- Nearing retirement but not wanting to retire fully
- Career progression
- Working in a shrinking sector and needing to diversify
- At risk of redundancy
- A change in health
- Wanting to make a dream career a reality
- Making a hobby into a career
Since Working Wales began in 2019 until the end of November 2024, it has supported over 180,000 customers; this includes support with a career change.
Ian Powell, 55, from Cardiff sought out the service twice in his career. A trained nurse, Ian used the service initially when he needed a career change after his circumstances changed. Following 20 years working for an electric and gas utility company he was given notice of redundancy and turned to Working Wales a second time.
Speaking of this change of direction in his mid-fifties and the support he received, Ian said:
I was a little bit lost … It’s a new world, the job’s market. It’s a completely different place. The service helped me to reflect and to be completely honest with someone. Because you don't realise what you're capable of until somebody comes back to you with, ‘have you thought of this?’
The list of jobs I could do when they did the review was incredible. It was huge. But I wouldn't have even got to that stage if I hadn’t come in and asked for help. And I got a job!
He now works in a team that supports people to manage their benefits and bills. This includes help to access emergency funds, food, and applying for grants and discounts.
Skills Minister, Jack Sargeant, said:
Ian’s inspirational story shows it’s never too late to make a change or take a new direction. Through their career review offer, Working Wales are helping older workers to think about career and skills development, health and well-being, finance and work-life balance.
I would urge anyone facing redundancy or considering a change in direction in 2025 to book a review.