Annual Review 2007/08

careerswales.comCareers information and advice

Contents 02

03 Chairman’s Foreword

04 About Careers Wales

05 Executive Director’s Report

07 Adults

09 Employers

11 Education Business Partnerships

13 Young People, Schools and Colleges

17 careerswales.com

18 learndirect

19 Clic

21 Directors

0800 100 900careerswales.comCareers information and advice

“Careers Wales is looking forward to playing its part in

delivering transformational

agendas for Wales”

The present Careers Wales model was established in 2001 and, through regular external scrutiny, has been shown to deliver consistently to a high standard across most of its activities, services and programmes of work which are widely available to individuals of all ages throughout Wales.

I welcomed, therefore, the consultation on “Skills that work for Wales: A skills and employment strategy” that was issued by the Welsh Assembly Government at the beginning of 2008. This afforded an opportunity for Careers Wales to demonstrate how it works across this whole challenging agenda in partnership with schools, FE and HE Institutions, businesses and a wide range of other organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors, all of which are providing support services to young people, the unemployed and disaffected individuals. Much has been achieved to date but, of course, much more can always be delivered through effective partnership working and more integrated funding.

The work of Careers Wales is never static. We are always planning positive change to key strategic stimuli. At present these include the vision of Ministers described within One Wales; the various strategic frameworks governing the release of the Structural Funds Programme (2007-2013); and the ‘skills that work for Wales’.

As I commented last year in my foreword, Careers Wales is looking forward to playing its part in delivering transformational agendas for Wales.

Alan Tillotson Chairman, Careers Wales Association 2007/2008

Chairman’s Foreword03

About Careers Wales 04

Key Strategic Aims

Our key strategic aims are defined by our brief from the Welsh Assembly Government:

To help individuals to move successfully into education, training and sustainable employment and make informed decisions about their careers and learning options.

To encourage individuals to be ambitious about their careers and personal goals and committed to lifelong learning.

To be acknowledged as the high quality market leader in lifelong career planning and education business links.

To make a positive, expert contribution to national curriculum development and relevant debate about adult and young person’s career development.

Careers Wales is made up of seven individual but linked companies, covering the whole of Wales.

Six local careers companies provide comprehensive careers information advice and guidance services to people of all ages, across the regions of Wales, working in in partnership with stakeholders in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

The seventh company is the Careers Wales Association, (CWA) which is wholly owned by the six careers companies.

The role of CWA is to provide a focus for pan-Wales developments, raise the national profile of careers guidance, help to influence the development of relevant national policies and to manage externally funded projects, marketing and information and the Careers Wales

website www.careerswales.com and the National Information

and Advice Service www.cliconline.co.uk

Developing people through lifelong career

planning

Executive Director’s Report05

2007/2008 has seen another fantastic year of continued growth for Careers Wales, particularly within our many partnership activities.

In May 2007, for example, Careers Wales was identified as a key partner in 14-19 activities in the Estyn Area inspections, with leaders and managers commended for participating fully with partners to develop all opportunities for learners.

The inspection also commended the Careers Wales policy of regularly informing the Welsh Assembly Government of the types of work-based learning opportunities that unemployed young people require and of the predicted needs of school leavers.

Furthermore, our Careers Wales advisers were praised in the Estyn report for their provision of good guidance, making good use of their knowledge, expertise and sources of information to help learners explore the range of educational and labour market opportunities.

Our successful partnerships were also highlighted in an Estyn thematic inspection of Careers Wales – Challenging Stereotyping - in April 2007.

The report found Careers Wales companies are proactively raising the gender stereotyping agenda with various key partners to challenge and change attitudes and culture, with examples of commitment in all companies at the

Awen Roberts, winner of the Key Stage 3 Design 4 Wales competition organised by Careers Wales North West, meets Welsh rugby star James Hook. The competition was sponsored by The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the task was to design a top for the Welsh Rugby or Football team.

06

highest level to challenging gender stereotyping. We were pleased to have recognition of the Careers Wales companies working well with partners to challenge attitudes, practice, and talk to about gender stereotyping issues.

In the past year, our change of departments within DCELLS, from Youth and Adult Learning Opportunities branch (YALO) to Business Skills Division, has meant that Careers Wales has been fully integrated into the Welsh Assembly Government’s strategy on skills and employment, including the responses to the Leitch Review of Skills in the UK, the Webb Review of Further Education and the Skills that Work for Wales consultation. Careers Wales all age guidance service is being seen as a key partner, particularly within the integrated approach to the transition for adults from benefits to employment.

The rest of my report goes some way to highlighting not only the growth and success of our partnerships over the past year, but also the many ways in which Careers Wales is impacting on people’s lives across the country.

Lesley Rees Executive Director, Careers Wales Association 2007/2008

Students exhibit their projects at the CREST (Creativity in Science and Techology) and Young Engineers event at Techniquest, Cardiff Bay organised by Careers Wales Cardiff and Vale.

Geraint finds ‘drive’ to succeed.

When Geraint Thomas was made redundant, he faced an uncertain future - jobless, and with no real idea about where to turn or what to do next.

All that changed after a visit to his local careers shop in Mold, where he received the advice and guidance he needed to forge a brand new career.

Now a qualified driving instructor and working for one of the country’s most successful driving schools, Geraint says:

“I used to be a retail manager, working with a million pound budget, but even before I was made redundant, it didn’t really fulfill me.

“With the help of Careers Wales, I was able to find a job that I thoroughly enjoy, and wouldn’t have even considered had they not suggested it to me. I now wake up and actually look forward to going to work!”

With help from Careers Wales, Geraint was able to access the redundancy action fund, ReAct, and received financial assistance to pay for the necessary training. Having passed his theory and advanced driving test he is now qualified to teach professionally with the Red Driving School. Once he has passed his further teaching test, he will have the option of becoming independent.

“I really can’t thank Careers Wales enough for the advice and support I’ve received. I’ve got a fantastic new career and one that allows me to achieve my ideal work-life balance so I can’t really ask for more!”

Geraint Thomas

Adults07

An all-age, impartial and free service, Careers Wales offers guidance and support to adults looking for advice on their career options. Individuals helped during the last year include people facing redundancy, looking to retrain or change jobs or those who wanted to return to work or learning following a career break.

In 2007/2008 50,856 adults had

interviews with Careers Wales

advisers

08

Careers Wales helps Lucy get back on track…

When fifty-six year old Lucy Harding from Abertillery was faced with a debili-tating illness that sapped her confidence and left her at a very low ebb, she saw little hope of being able to fully support herself again.

But thanks to assistance form various organisations, including Careers Wales, Lucy is in the process of retraining for a career she thought she’d never have the opportunity to pursue.

“I’d been suffering from reactive depression for several years and convinced myself there was no way back on to the career ladder,” says Lucy.

“Following a period of counselling, I contacted Careers Wales to see if they could help me and the support I’ve received has really turned my life around.

“After undertaking a Pathfinder analysis, top of the list for possible careers came Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), which was amazing as it was something I’d previously considered but thought I’d never be able to manage.

“The advice I received was so positive. I soon began volunteering in 2 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes and undertook the Numeracy module of the Certificate in Adult Basic Skills Support at Coleg Gwent Newport Campus. Due to the unavailability of the ESOL tutor I was shadowing, I covered 6 classes for 5 weeks and am now employed as a Relief Tutor for Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. Later this year, I will be starting the City & Guilds Delivery of Basic Skills to adults with ESOL as the optional module.”

A recent survey of Careers Wales clients showed half of those

who were unemployed found work after an

interview with Careers Wales.

“It has taken a very long time and many people have helped me get this far, but plucking up the courage to contact Careers Wales has ensured that I have a future – I really feel that I have got my life back.”Lucy Harding

Employers09

Careers Wales promotes the benefit of lifelong learning and continuous development and supports employers and training providers in various ways. These include the implementation of work development programmes, work experience placements, mentoring and enterprise initiatives. Careers Wales Employer Liaison Officers make regular visits to employers in order to keep in touch with their needs.

In touch with employers’ needs - Careers Wales Manager swaps desk job for McJob.A Careers Wales manager swapped his suit for a uniform and instead of sitting behind his desk, he found himself behind the counter of his local McDonald’s.

Jeff Evans took part in a special ‘job swap’ as part of an initiative to change the dictionary definition of ‘McJob’ – listed as ‘an unstimulating, low-paid job with few prospects, especially one created by the expansion of the service sector’.

Deciding there was no better way to really get in touch with employers’ needs, Jeff acted as a crewmember at the McDonald’s restaurant in Cardiff Road, Barry, getting an insight into what the job really involves.

He was shown how the kitchen works, served customers and even put together his own Big Mac!

“Careers Wales has excellent links with McDonalds in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, and Huw Thomas, franchisee of two restaurants in Cardiff and Barry, was honoured as a Most Valued Partner at a Careers Wales awards ceremony for his help and commitment to providing quality work experience placements for young people. The job swap seemed like a great way of seeing behind the scenes at McDonald’s and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.” Jeff Evans, Careers Wales

“It was great to have Jeff on board for the day and for him to see what the job really involves. The ‘McJob’ definition is out of date, out of touch with reality and most importantly insulting to the hard-working, committed and talented people who serve the public every day”. McDonald’s franchisee, Huw Thomas

Jeff Evans (left) with McDonald’s franchisee, Huw Thomas.

10

BBC Newsreader Sara Edwards lent her support to the event and presented winners with their awards.

A celebration of successful partnershipsRepresentatives from the world of business attended a special awards ceremony in Swansea, held to celebrate a year of successful partnerships.

As an organisation, Careers Wales supports and promotes the benefit of lifelong learning and continuous development within the local community and believes in giving its own employees the opportunity to develop themselves through training and achieving qualifications.

Careers Wales West hosted its ‘Celebration of Achievement and Partnership’ Award Ceremony, to recognise the unique relationship the company has with local employers, training providers, schools and colleges.

The event also celebrated the achievements of the company’s own staff and recognised support for a wide range of initiatives, including work experience, enterprise, mentoring, social inclusion, teacher placement schemes and workforce development.

Careers Wales West internal staff were also honoured for their achievements, with recent qualifications ranging from BSc, Welsh to NVQs in advice and guidance.

This event was the perfect way to demonstrate our commitment to encouraging lifelong learning and development and the support we can provide for people to achieve this.

“It is also with great pleasure that we recognised the work of external organisations across West Wales, and their contributions to our work of delivering careers guidance and activities which link education and business.”

Ray Collier, Chief Executive, Careers Wales West

Education Business Partnerships11

Careers Wales strives to develop and enhance partnerships and make vital links between employers and schools and colleges.

We offer a range of Education Business Partnership activities including work experience, industry days, presentations and talks in schools, support with enterprise activities, teacher/lecturer placements and mentoring programmes. Advisers work to foster a sense of entrepreneurship - co-ordinating activities to help raise young people’s standard of achievement, improve motivation and help them plan and prepare for working life.

“The spirit of enterprise shown by the young people was truly awe-inspiring and I’m proud to see that Wales has so many young people with excellent practical ideas and with the positive attitude that they want to make their mark on the world.”

First Minister, Rhodri Morgan

Enterprising students make their mark on ‘Globalocal’ challengeHundreds of budding young entrepreneurs presented their innovative business ideas to a panel of judges, as well as the First Minister for Wales, Rhodri Morgan, at the regional finals of a national enterprise competition in Cardiff.

Twenty teams of Year 10 and 11 students from across Wales reached the regional finals of the ‘Make Your Mark Challenge’, as part of National Enterprise Week.

Facilitated in Wales by Careers Wales, the Make Your Mark Challenge is an enterprise themed task that thousands of children in schools across Britain take part in simultaneously.

The question for 2007 was ‘Make it Pay in a Globalocal Way’ – with ‘globalocal’ defined as ‘thinking on a global scale and acting at a local level – and the finalists pitched their business plans to a panel of judges, in a

‘Dragon’s Den’-style event.

Make your Mark Challenge Winners, 2007, Bryntirion Comprehensive, who impressed the judges with their idea for a ‘Go Water’ System – a recycling water filter for use both in Britain and across the globe. L-R: James McGrath, Hannah Lewis, Ryan Lewis, Rebecca Francis, Andrew Jenkins and Emily Cook.

12

40,816 young people had work

experience placements through Careers Wales

in 2007/2008

Pupils in a buzz about call centre careersPupils at Glyn Derw High School in Cardiff had an insight into the world of work after a Careers Wales Industry Day saw members of the Welsh Contact Centre Forum visit Year Ten pupils.

Staff from call centres such as Conduit, Vista Support and The AA spent an intensive day with over 100 pupils giving them useful tips on how to make the transition from the classroom to the workplace. The event was one in a series teaching tangible, transferable skills to young people nearing school-leaving age.

The 14 and 15 year olds learnt about the value that employers place on key skills such as problem solving, taking the initiative, working with other people, communication and interview preparation.

“It can be a big culture shock to some young people to realise that upon leaving full time education the burden of responsibility moves onto the individual. These pupils are the next generation of employees and it gives them a great start to be able to find out how they can get ahead in the competitive jobs market.”

Sandra Busby, Managing Director of the Welsh Contact Centre Forum

“Business and industry awareness days are a vital part of the careers curriculum. Events like these give young people an insight into the world of work and give employers the opportunity to ensure the workforce of the future is aware of the skills and qualities they might need when they leave school or college.”

Mike Williams, Education Business Adviser with Careers Wales Cardiff and Vale

Young People, Schools & Colleges13

Careers Wales continues to offer wide ranging support to young people, encouraging them to consider all options available in order to achieve their full potential. Careers advisers carry out both individual and group interviews and provide specialist advice to those with additional needs.

Support continues once young people have left education – with advice on employment and training and programmes such as Youth Gateway and Keeping in Touch, bridging the gap between elementary and further education, employment and training.

‘Welsh Food’ serves up tasty career choice

A Tenby Chef became the face of a campaign to promote food-related careers in Wales.

As part of Welsh Food Fortnight, Careers Wales encouraged people across Wales to consider a future working in the food industry, using young chef, Jamie Bessant, from Kilgetty to front the campaign.

Welsh Food Fortnight was set up to encourage manufacturers, suppliers, farmers and food retailers to engage with local schools, raising awareness of how food is sourced and produced, as well as increasing the profile of local manufacturers and suppliers.

Jamie Bessant

14

Jamie, 25, began his career washing up in the kitchens of a local restaurant while studying for his GCSEs, but was soon given the job of Commis Chef through learning ‘on the job’. After completing his GCSEs he was offered the chance of studying for a one year Food Preparation Apprenticeship, where he discovered a talent for confectionery and pastry making, and went on to study for a NVQ in the subject at Neath Port Talbot College.

He is now Head Chef at the Tudor Restaurant and Lodge in Tenby, and also runs a training academy for aspiring young chefs.

“It’s really rewarding seeing the student’s skills develop in the kitchen, and noting how committed they are to the work. Every day working as a chef is different, and every day is a learning day, whatever position you’re in. It’s a great career choice for young people.” Jamie Bessant

More than 200,000 young people

received a careers interview and more

than 100,000 received tailored career action

plans in 2007/2008

15 Young People, Schools & Colleges

Annual Careers Wales awards honour quality

Twenty-seven schools and colleges from across Wales were honoured at the annual Careers Wales Quality Award ceremony, which took place at the Pavilion Conference Centre in Llandrindod Wells.

Established in 2004 to recognise excellence in the provision of careers education and guidance, as well as work-related education, the event is at the centre of Careers Wales’ drive for higher standards in relation to all forms of careers education and guidance, as well as work related learning. This includes any institution catering for students between the ages of 14-19 years old, from secondary schools to FE colleges, special schools and off-site units.

Recalling his own careers advice and the way it has so positively helped to shape his career, Deputy Minister for Skills, John Griffiths, praised the principle of the Quality Award, in creating a framework for all institutions to work collaboratively in order to expand and improve systems.

“The best of Welsh business really is as good as the best in the world and we need to recognise and promote the role of young people as our future wealth creators.”

Deputy Minister for Skills, John Griffiths

Pupils from Bryntirion Comprehensive School with their Quality Award.

16

Third annual Engineering Week a hit with pupils

The third National Engineering Week proved a great experience for the 1500 Year 9 pupils from across Wales who took part in the event, which is organised jointly by fforwm and Careers Wales.

Hosted at further education colleges throughout the country, the aim of the week is to spark an appetite for engineering and to encourage youngsters to explore all the options open to them – from aeronautics and automotive to electronic, manufacturing and mechanical engineering.

With Wales in need of more engineers and, particularly those who will go on to fill the higher level positions, Engineering Week Wales has a crucial role to play in demonstrating to young people exactly where an exciting future career in engineering could lead.

Engineering week challenge - the winning team from the event at Merthyr College.

“Engineering Week Wales is a highly practical way of bringing a realistic and hands-on taster of engineering to school pupils, using state-of-the-art equipment. Schools and colleges from all across the country supported the week to once again make it a huge success.”

Chair of fforwm’s Engineering Network, Barry Liles

17

careerswales.com prides itself on constant innovations and developments to make sure our clients are always receiving the best possible service.

Careerswales.com receives national recognition as an outstanding learning service. It might have been just pipped at the final stage, but staff at Careers Wales still had plenty to celebrate in the fact that the organisation’s website, careerswales.com, was the only Welsh finalist to make the shortlist for the 2007/08 E-government awards, held at London’s Dorchester Hotel.

A record 527 nominations from across the whole of the UK were considered in 11 different categories, judged by a panel that was headed by Government Chief Information Officer, John Suffolk.

An independent scheme, organised to highlight the UK’s most effective services, the E-government Awards honour excellence in e-government and public sector services, across UK councils, central government departments, non departmental public bodies and voluntary organisations.

Careerswales.com was nominated by the Welsh Assembly Government in the E-government Excellence in Learning Skills category – the focus of which is public sector online or electronic services that through innovative online delivery and implementation, transform learning skills and outcomes.

careerswales.com

careerswales.comCareers information and advice

“We’re currently in the process of rebuilding the site, and the updated careerswales.com will launch with a whole host of exciting new features, including Year 9 online options, a work experience database and dedicated resources for clients with special needs.

We work very hard to maintain the high standard of service that the website offers our users and will continue to provide the most up to date and relevant information on all aspects of learning and career choice.”Paul Messer, Manager of careerswales.com

221,000 people visited the website in

2007/08

18learndirect

A one-stop-shop for the most up to date information on training, courses and associated funding in Wales, the learndirect helpline is managed by Careers Wales and helps people of all ages with learning and careers-based enquiries.

Campaign activity with partners continues to grow each year. In 2007/08, this has included work with NIACE Dysgu Cymru, supporting its Sign Up Now suite of activity and also the Welsh Assembly Government and DCELLS – encouraging the take up of the Welsh language in adults and also assisting with Early Years recruitment to raise awareness of employment opportunities within the childcare and early years sector.

The Learning Choices database continues to be the primary information tool for learndirect helpline advisers. Careers Wales staff use the database to aid their advice and guidance and as part of a continued quality control process, its content is externally evaluated every 3 years. The most recent evaluation was hugely positive and a further improvement on previous years.

Learning Choices can be accessed by visiting careerswales.com.

From September 2008 the learndirect brand will change to Careers Advice.

0800 100 900

33,827 calls were made to learndirect in

2007/08

Aimed at young people in Wales, aged between 11-25, and WAG-funded, Clic contains up to date, unbiased information on an array of youth-related issues - from drug and alcohol awareness, to housing, employment, education, money and law and rights.

The website is constantly updated to reflect changes and developments within the areas it covers and to ensure it remains relevant and useful to its audience.

“We feel passionately that young people have a right to be able to use the internet safely and find the answers they might need to any number of questions - from a secure and reliable source.

Young people are using the internet more and more in every aspect of their lives - not only to socialise, but to search for information on issues that might be affecting or concerning them.

The internet can be a minefield of unregulated and often incorrect information, but the whole point of what we’re doing with Clic is to provide a one-stop-shop of trustworthy information - from how to deal with a family or relationship breakdown, to housing and property information or coping with exam stress.

We get some great feedback from our users who find Clic an invaluable service and we are looking forward to continuing to cater for the needs of young people in Wales.”

Clic National Co-ordinator, Rony Seamons

19 Clic

Rony Seamons, Clic National Co-ordinator with pupils from Fairwater High School, Cwmbran - winners of the Schools Liaison Police National Quiz competition which Clic has supported again, along with the Fire Service and Road Safety teams. Over 2000 pupils from across Wales take part in this competition, answering questions on a variety of topics including social behaviour and safety.

20

Christmas came again for local youngster

As the January blues set in for most of us, Christmas came again for Rhyl youngster, Taryn Town, when she realised she’d won a competition to win a Playstation 3, courtesy of Clic and Funky Dragon.

The two organisations teamed up to ask young people to complete a survey, detailing exactly what they look for when searching for information on the internet and, in particular from the Clicand Funky Dragon sites – ranging from the design of pages to information content, ease of navigation and popular search subjects.

All those who participated were entered into a draw. Lucky winner, Taryn, was presented with her prize at the Rhyl Careers Shop.

“It was good fun filling in the survey and it’s nice to think that Clic and Funky Dragon really want to know what we think.

I use both websites a lot and find them really useful as there’s loads of information to look at and I always find the answers I’m looking for.”

Competition Winner, Taryn Town

Taryn Town (centre) receives her prize from Clic North West Regional Co-ordinator Tania Russell Owen.

cliconline.co.uk received

2,798169 hits in 2007/08

21

Contact us:Careers Wales Association. Suite 6 Block D Van Court, Caerphilly Business Park, Van Road, Caerphilly, CF83 3ED.

Tel: 02920 854880 Fax: 02920 854889

Directors of Careers Wales Association 2007/08

Alan Tillotson, Chair Chair, Careers Wales Mid Glamorgan & Powys

Alan Boxford Chair, Careers Wales Cardiff & Vale

Hywel Jones Chair, Careers Wales West

Gwyn Thomas Chair, Careers Wales North West

Philip Westwood Chair, Careers Wales Gwent

John Troth OBE Chair, Careers Wales North East

John Llewellyn, Vice Chair Chief Executive, Careers Wales North West

Ray Collier Chief Executive, Careers Wales West

Mark Freeman Chief Executive, Careers Wales Cardiff & Vale

Wayne Feldon Chief Executive, Careers Wales Mid Glamorgan & Powys

Joyce M’Caw Chief Executive, Careers Wales North East

Trina Neilson Chief Executive, Careers Wales Gwent

Ahmed Ali and Arif Ahmed, winners of the Wales K’Nex Challenge, with their winning entry at the Careers Wales Cardiff and Vale regional final.

Directors 2008/2009 - as above but due to their retirement Wayne Feldon is replaced by Ann Evans and John Llewellyn by Sarah Finnegan Dehn