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Posted: Sat 26th Jul 2025
Updated: Sat 26th Jul
Working Wales, the free careers advice and guidance service funded by Welsh Government, has supported its 200,000th customer.
James, 27, from Wrexham, was one of those helped. After five years in the television industry, he found himself unsure of his next steps when work opportunities declined. He said, “I didn’t really know what to do. I didn’t want to just get a job anywhere. I wanted a career that I can work towards – something I can move up in and do something using my skills in a different way.”
A visit to the Careers Wales centre in Wrexham introduced him to adviser Laura. James said, “I was just completely honest with Laura when we met. And she was really honest with me too. It was refreshing. We talked about different careers and ideas, and when I said there were certain jobs I definitely didn’t want to do, she didn’t question it – she just said, ‘That’s fine. Let’s talk about what you do want to do.’”
Laura helped James recognise transferable skills from his hobby with a vintage machinery club, where he organised events and managed volunteers. “Laura looked at that and said, ‘You’ve got all these skills in events. Have you ever thought about working in that?’ And I hadn’t – I hadn’t realised something I did as a hobby, had given me transferable skills to apply to a job.”
With Laura’s support, James applied for roles in events, improving his CV and cover letter. This led to him securing a role as an events assistant at the Llangollen Railway Trust. “Laura helped me to see my potential and boost my confidence,” he said. “I’d really recommend Careers Wales. Especially if you’re looking for a new opportunity or career change. Come and have a chat – they’re so friendly and they will help you.”
The 200,000th customer, Pauline Smith from Cardiff, turned to the service after taking voluntary redundancy from her radio production job earlier this year.
At 57, Pauline was unsure whether to continue freelancing or pursue yoga teaching. After exploring the ReAct+ scheme, she met adviser Gareth Richards at her local Working Wales centre. Gareth explained the support available, including grants for training, travel, and care costs.
Reflecting on the experience, Pauline said, “It’s much more about giving people confidence that they are okay. It was just nice to talk through with somebody the fact that I’ve taken redundancy, and to look at where I was at and where I was going to go.”
“Everybody has something to offer when they walk through those doors – it’s just finding out what that is and how confident they are in those.”
Nikki Lawrence, chief executive of Careers Wales, said: “Reaching our 200,000th customer is a major milestone for Working Wales and a clear reflection of the impact we’re having on individuals and the wider Welsh economy.
“James and Pauline’s stories highlight how we help people at every stage of life to build their confidence, develop their skills, and find meaningful work. Whether leaving school or college, navigating redundancy, or changing direction, our advisers are committed to supporting a resilient, skilled workforce that keeps Wales moving forward.”
Working Wales, delivered by Careers Wales, offers personalised support to anyone aged 16 and over, available online, by phone, or face-to-face across Wales.
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