Jobs Growth Wales+ statistics: July to September 2023

The data in this release covers 2023-24 quarter 2 (July 2023 to September 2023). 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 1 April 2022.

Main points

• During July to September 2023 there were 4,435 active JGW+ programmes, 1,865 of which continued from the previous quarter and 2,570 of which were new starts. At the end of September 2,585 programmes were continuing.
• The number of starts in 2023-24 quarter 2 is nearly double the number seen in the same quarter of 2022-23 (2,570 compared to 1,345).
• 1,850 JGW+ programmes ended during July to September 2023, of which 1,405 were completed. Of the programmes that ended, 68% of leavers had a positive outcome based on their destination within four weeks of completing the programme.
• By the end of September 2023, there had been 8,420 JGW+ programme starts since the programme began in April 2022. 5,835 of those programmes have ended with 3,980 completed.

Figure 1: Destination of Jobs Growth Wales+ leavers, July 2023 to September 2023 (provisional)

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Description of Figure 1: This pie chart shows the proportion of Jobs Growth Wales+ leavers between July and September 2023 in a number of destinations after completing the programme. The largest single category is ‘Learning – higher level’ at 52% and overall 68% of leavers had a positive outcome.

Source: Lifelong Wales Learning Record (LLWR)

Background and context

The purpose of the Jobs Growth Wales+ Youth Programme is to deliver consolidated and individualised training, development and employability support to 16 to 18 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 are to:

• contribute towards a reduction in the number of 16 to 18 year olds who are NEET
• achieve positive outcomes for 16 to 18 year olds at risk of becoming NEET
• progress Well-being of Future Generations objectives by delivering employability support for 16 to 18 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.

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 2023 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.