A campaign has been launched by Working Wales to encourage adults in Wales looking to change careers to seek professional support. This follows recent research which revealed that almost three-quarters of UK workers (71%) will be looking for a new role this year.
The ‘career changer’ campaign showcases the vital support that Working Wales offers to young people and adults across Wales who are looking to make a career change but are unsure of where to start.
Delivered by Careers Wales and funded by the Welsh Government, Working Wales provides anyone over the age of 16 with a package of employment support that is unique to their individual needs to enhance their job prospects. This is likely to include help with CV writing, interview techniques, job searching and signposting to training and funding opportunities.
The campaign will highlight the benefits of accessing Working Wales’s expert, free and impartial careers guidance, to help with the complexities and uncertainties that can come with a career change.
At the core of the campaign is the free mid-career review, which aims to guide customers through the career change journey, from scoping out their reason for change and identifying transferable skills to job matching and getting job ready.
A new and valuable feature of the mid-career review is access to a free psychometric assessment for those who may benefit from them the most. Psychometric assessments are widely used in career guidance and employment to match a person’s abilities and personality to a suitable career or role. They provide a unique insight into the mind of each customer and can objectively measure an individual’s personality traits, intelligence, abilities, behavioural style, and aptitude. Used in conjunction with careers guidance, this provides customers with a solid foundation to make career change decisions.
The campaign is being backed by business entrepreneur and networking-guru Tracey Smolinski, founder of ‘Introbiz’, Wales’s biggest business expo. She outlined why getting expert careers advice and guidance is critical for those looking to change roles:
“I’m passionate about supporting individuals and businesses to expand their horizons, which is why this campaign is so important to me. For those who have been working in the same industry for many years and looking to make a change, things can feel daunting especially in the current climate.
“Working Wales is offering an invaluable service to anyone looking to change their career that will equip them with the tools they need to confidently re-position themselves. In doing so, they will be able to make quality connections, boost their confidence and secure their dream role. It’s a great place to start your new journey and I would encourage people to reach out to them for their expert guidance and coaching.”
Nikki Lawrence, chief executive of Careers Wales, said: “There are many reasons why people come to our career advisers looking for help changing direction; from being at risk of unemployment, to seeking better work-life balance or wanting to upskill and try something new. Whatever the reason, getting expert guidance from Working Wales gives people access to the knowledge and resources that will allow them to effectively re-enter or change career in an evolving jobs market. We support people in the way that is most suitable to them, and that’s why we offer face-to-face support through our career centres across Wales, telephone helpline and digital support via e-mail, through web chat and via our website.”
Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething stressed the importance of Working Wales’s employability support, saying, “When it comes to changing careers, we want people in Wales to know that they have a wide range of options and support at their fingertips. Careers advisers at Working Wales are fully equipped to support anyone who finds themselves needing or wanting to change career for whatever reason. A Welsh Government support programme like ReAct+ or a Personal Learning Account (PLA) may benefit someone changing career or starting an apprenticeship towards a new profession, and the mid-career review is an opportunity to identify gaps in skills and qualifications.”
