A careers adviser helped Rhys feel more confident about his next steps
Rhys, a 15 year old from Gwent, was not sure what to do after finishing school. He had looked at a few college courses but felt they were not right for him.
Support from Careers Wales
Rhys had a meeting with Vicki, a careers adviser based at his school. They talked about his options and what might suit him best.
He said, "In January this year I realised I’ve got to decide what’s coming next. I didn’t feel like college was right for me. I wanted to start working, but I knew going straight into a job might not be the best idea.
“The careers meeting helped me see that an apprenticeship could be a better option.”
Taking action
Vicki supported Rhys by helping him to explore different options further, think about his next steps and apply for different routes.
Rhys said “She helped me apply for a college course, find companies that would take me on, and look at apprenticeships. It started with just talking, and then we moved into proper planning.”
Rhys decided he wanted to go into metal fabricating. He said “I like the creative side of it, and I like working with my hands. It’s not an office job, I’ll be doing something physical and making things. That really appeals to me.”
Looking ahead
Rhys recently had a meeting with a company offering apprenticeships. He said “They’ve confirmed they want to offer me a placement. I’m now waiting for the college course to accept me. I honestly think without Careers Wales, I wouldn’t have got it.”
He added, “At first, I had no idea what I wanted to do. There were so many options. “When I spoke to Vicki, it felt like she really wanted to help me. It didn’t feel like talking to a teacher. She wanted me to do what felt right for me.”
Rhys encourages others to reach out too, “I’d definitely say try and speak to someone from Careers Wales. It’s helped me so much and it’s made a real difference to my future.”
Future goals
Rhys has big plans. He shared “In five or ten years, I hope to start my own business in my area. I want people to know they can come to me for honest work.”
Explore
A guaranteed offer of support for 16 to 24 year olds in Wales to gain a place in education or training, find a job or become self-employed. Feed your positivity with the Young Person’s Guarantee.
Whether you are finding your way in the world of work, or taking steps towards a career change, an apprenticeship could be for you.
Get support to explore your options.
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