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Getting Into Work - Wales - Work Schemes and Help

Looking for work or working? See what help may be available to you through national and local employment services and schemes.

Last reviewed 08 September 2023

Wales - Work Schemes and Help

See also UK and Multiple Nation Schemes

Finding a job

Career Wales/Gyrfa Cymru

Careers Wales or Gyrfa Cymru is the Welsh Government's career service, providing all age, independent and impartial careers information, advice and guidance service for Wales. There is a lot of information on its website to help jobseekers.

It also acts as the gateway for specific Welsh Government jobs programmes including:

  • The ReAct+ Support: If you are within 12 months of being made redundant or unemployed, or you are under current notice of redundancy, you could be entitled to ReAct+ Support to retrain or update your skills.
  • Jobs Growth Wales+: This is a training and development programme for 16-19 year olds, that provides skills, qualifications and experience needed to get a job or further training.

Over 50s

PRIME Cymru provides free support for individuals aged 50+ living in Wales to set up in business, find employment, or develop skills through training and volunteering opportunities.

Self Employment

Business Wales

If you are self employed or thinking of starting a business, help may be available to you through Business Wales. This is a free service that provides impartial, independent support and advice to people starting, running and growing a business in Wales.

Big Ideas Wales - Under 25s 

If you’re 25 or under and facing barriers that stop you from starting a business, looking for a new opportunities, or just have a great business idea then Big Ideas Wales (part of Business Wales) may be able to help you. Its aim is to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs in Wales and encourage young people under 25 to develop enterprise skills whatever the career choice.

See also Self Employment National Schemes

Disabled people

If you have a disability or a health condition, you could get support to help you find and keep a job.

See Career Wales: Employment Support for more information.

The charity Scope offers employment services to Disabled people living in England and Wales. See Employment Services on the Scope website for more information.

See also Disabled people and Work

People with Mental health, Alcohol or Addiction Issues

The Out of Work Service programme offers free confidential employment support from peer mentors (who have lived experience that helps them understand the challenges you have in getting into work) to people in Wales:

  • Recovering from substance misuse or mental health issues
  • Aged 16 to 24 and not in education, employment or training
  • Aged 25 and older and have been unemployed for longer than 12 months.

Travel Costs

For what is available on a UK wide basis, see Getting Into Work: Transport Costs National Schemes

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