WHEN 21-year-old Owen Williams from Llanelli started college, he struggled with financial limitations and finding a job.
He said: “I felt I was limited by having no money, no work, and no opportunities, and felt like my friends were one or two steps ahead of me.”
Owen shared his concerns with his lecturers and found out about Working Wales.
After attending a workshop, he was matched with careers adviser, Lara Bagagiolo, for individual support. They began meeting one-on-one to explore potential career paths suited to his skills and interests, as well as his next steps forward.
Owen developed his CV and prepared for job applications with Lara’s help, which led to him securing a retail role. This job provided financial stability whilst allowing him to continue exploring long-term career options.
Lara continued to offer guidance as Owen navigated his next big decision—whether to pursue higher education.
With Lara’s support, he gained the confidence to move forward with a degree in events management, ultimately choosing to study at the University of West Scotland.
He said: “My sessions with Lara gave me so much insight into what I could do and how I could get there.
“My mind was in a million pieces before, but it was a massive relief to have support looking at my future. I don’t know where I’d be without her and the Working Wales service.”
Owen’s success is just one example of how Working Wales, funded by Welsh Government and delivered by Careers Wales, helps people take confident steps toward their futures. Over the past year, careers advisers like Lara supported over 31,000 adults and 5,000 young people across Wales, providing each customer with tailored career information advice and guidance.
Moreover, the service supported over 50,000 customers through the multi-channel Connect service, the first point of contact for career advice and guidance across Wales.
Working Wales also organised or attended 276 recruitment events in partnership with employers across Wales. These events connected local job seekers with real opportunities and provided on-site guidance, from CV support to interview preparation, with positive outcomes for many participants.
To read more stories like Owen’s and learn more about Careers Wales’ work across the country, explore the latest Careers Wales annual report.
