Training support enabled Jayne to start a successful jewellery business.
Unsteady work
Jayne spent most of her career as a senior lecturer in environmental studies at a university. After taking voluntary redundancy, Jayne started working in the environment sector.
With this type of work, Jayne has to rely on fixed term contracts. She found the unreliability of work difficult to manage.
She explained: “It was hard to always hop from job to job and not always be guaranteed another at the end of it.”
Jayne came up with the idea to start a business, after doing a recycled silver making workshop at a festival.
From hobby to business
Seeking help with her new idea, Jayne set up an appointment with a Working Wales careers adviser.
They chatted through Jayne’s ideas and next steps with her, and helped her to apply for ReAct+ funding for silversmith training.
Jayne was also referred to Business Wales. She was supported with information and advice around starting a new business, such as looking at finances and setting up.
Using her new creative skills, Jayne invested in some tools, and began selling her products at craft fairs before she was offered a gallery spot.
Jayne now successfully sells her products in three shops in addition to the gallery and her own online shop. She also runs jewellery making workshops at festivals including Greenman festival where it all started, combining her teaching experience with her silversmithing.
Making a difference
Reflecting on the support from Careers Wales and business she has built, Jayne said: “I love having a role as an employee but being my own boss too.
“It’s helped me because I’m now not reliant on each contract. I still work on the fixed term environment roles, which I enjoy but I feel like I could do this full time if I wanted to.
“It’s given me more freedom and opportunity to put my creativity to good use.
“I would encourage anyone considering arts and creativity to get in touch with Careers Wales and look at how you can use your creativity for your career.
“You can do what you love with your work.”
If you would like to explore your interests and opportunities with a careers adviser, please contact us today.
Explore
Find out about the redundancy support available to you in Wales. Get help with how to move on from redundancy with confidence.
ReAct+ offers tailored solutions which includes financial support for vocational skills training and training-related expenses to help remove barriers to employment.