If you're aged 16 to 24 and not sure what to do next, you're not alone. There's plenty of support available and you have lots of options.
Whether you want to continue in education at sixth form, college or university, or get a job, start an apprenticeship, or set up your own business, we're here to help you find the path that works for you.
We can help you with:
- Choosing the right course or training
- Finding an apprenticeship
- Searching for jobs and preparing strong applications
- Starting your own business
Get in touch
Not sure where to start? Book a free appointment with a careers adviser or contact us by phone, webchat or in person.
Get the support to explore your options.
Your options
Whether you know exactly what you want or you're still figuring it out, there are lots of routes to explore.
There's no single right path - what matters most is finding the one that's right for you. Take a look at what's available and remember our advisers are on hand to help.
We can help you explore your options and find out what financial support is available, including the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and the Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG).
Choosing the right course and university is a big decision. We can help you work through your options, understand your finances, and navigate the Clearing process if you need it.
An apprenticeship lets you earn while you learn. Whether you're starting out or thinking about a career change, we can help you find the right opportunity.
We can help you find job vacancies, sign up to our job bulletin, and get your CV, applications and interview skills ready.
If you're aged 25 or under and thinking about starting your own business, Big Ideas Wales offers free support and guidance to help you get started.
Get access to training, work experience and paid job opportunities designed to help you build your future on your own terms.
If you're living in poverty or at risk of poverty and don't qualify for other employment programmes, Communities for Work+ offers specialist one-to-one support to help you into work.
If you've recently been made redundant, ReAct+ can help cover the cost of retraining. This includes funding for courses and related expenses to help you get back into work.
Search for programmes that can help you improve your skills and work opportunities by using our Support Finder tool.
Additional support
Find out about the funding available for training, college and university courses.
Find out about support to help you into work if you are disabled or have a health condition.
My Future includes easy to read careers information. Find out about your options, explore career ideas and get to know who can help you.
Feeling overwhelmed?
It's completely normal to feel stressed or unsure about the future. If things feel tough right now, you don't have to deal with it alone. Check out:
- Young Minds(external website) offers mental health support to young people
- NHS Wales Silver Cloud(external website) is a free self-help service for young people aged 16 and over with personalised tools and support. Or call NHS Wales by calling 111 and pressing option 2
- Meic Cymru(external website) is a confidential helpline service for young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. Contact them by phone, WhatsApp, online chat or text
- Mind Cymru(external website), Hopeline247 - Papyrus(external website) and Samaritans Wales(external website) offer additional mental health and crisis support
You can also contact us directly on webchat or by visiting your nearest office.
How can I help as a parent or guardian?
Helping a young person decide what to do next can feel just as daunting for you as it does for them. We're here to support you too.
Understanding the options available, whether that's college, university, an apprenticeship, or work, can help you have more informed conversations with your child and feel confident in supporting their decisions.
We have information and tools in our Parents section to help you understand their options, help them make decisions and provide reassurance.
You're welcome to join them at a careers adviser appointment, or contact us directly to talk things through.
Real life stories
Hear from young people we've supported into education, training, employment and self-employment.
