New year, new career? Skills Minister Jack Sargeant highlights free career reviews

Jack Sargeant, Welsh Government Skills Minister and Senedd Member for Alyn and Deeside, has urged people across Wales to take advantage of a free career review in 2025, highlighting that it’s “never too late” to embark on a new path.

During a recent visit to a Working Wales careers centre, Jack met individuals who have successfully changed careers in their 40s and 50s, thanks to support from the free service.

Working Wales, established in 2019, has helped over 180,000 customers explore new career paths, offering free one-to-one career reviews with professionally trained advisers. These reviews are available to people of all ages and circumstances, from those seeking better work-life balance to individuals at risk of redundancy or those nearing retirement.

Inspirational Story of Career Change

One success story highlighted by Jack is Ian Powell, 55, from Cardiff.

A trained nurse, Ian first used the service to change careers when his personal circumstances shifted.

After spending two decades at an energy utility company, he faced redundancy in his mid-50s and turned to Working Wales once again.

Ian described the career review process as transformative:

“I was a little bit lost … It’s a new world, the job’s market. It’s a completely different place. The service helped me to reflect and to be completely honest with someone. Because you don’t realise what you’re capable of until somebody comes back to you with, ‘have you thought of this?’”

The review revealed a wide range of job opportunities Ian hadn’t considered.

With the service’s help, he secured a role in a team that supports individuals in managing their benefits and bills, including access to emergency funds and discounts.

Minister Urges Older Workers to Seek Support

Skills Minister Jack Sargeant praised Ian’s determination and the support offered by Working Wales, saying:

“Ian’s inspirational story shows it’s never too late to make a change or take a new direction. Through their career review offer, Working Wales are helping older workers to think about career and skills development, health and well-being, finance and work-life balance.”

He encouraged anyone facing redundancy or considering a career change in 2025 to take advantage of the service.

Who Can Benefit from a Career Review?

The career review service is open to anyone considering a career change, with common reasons including:

• Seeking better work-life balance
• Returning to work after caring responsibilities
• Transitioning from a shrinking sector
• Planning for semi-retirement
• Making a hobby or dream career a reality

Working Wales advisers also help clients identify transferable skills, explore diverse job opportunities, and find suitable training pathways.

For more information or to book a career review, visit the Working Wales website or contact a local careers centre.