Employability support engagement event: Llanelli

This summary presents feedback gathered via Slido from attendees at the Llanelli engagement event held on 4 June 2025. This was the fourth event aimed at gathering feedback for the new Employability Support Programme. This series supports the Welsh Government’s commitment in the Employability and Skills Plan 2022, to create a seamless, integrated employability support system in Wales.

We invited diverse stakeholders to discuss good practice, lessons learned and innovations for helping people reach their employment potential in Wales.

This section summarises the main insights from Slido.

Best ways for people to access the programme

This question asked how people should be referred or introduced to the programme, especially those who need the most support. Key feedback included:

• social media being mentioned most often as the best way to raise awareness and help people access the programme. It was seen as a key tool for reaching different audiences
• community-based approaches and outreach in community hubs Including face to face events and activities in hard-to-reach communities
• using existing networks and services such as schools and colleges, GP surgeries, third sector, Careers Wales and Jobcentre Plus and work coaches
• using different communication methods to reach more people including word of mouth and peer recommendations
• strong and consistent branding with QR codes and digital platforms as well as leaflets

Many said that different groups respond to different channels, so a mix of methods is needed. Human contact and trusted relationships were seen as vital for connecting people to support.

Most important factor in deciding support level

This question asked what should guide decisions about how much support someone receives. Delegates prioritised:

• individual barriers (88%)
• additional support needs (6%)
• age group (4%)
• health barriers (2%)
• length of unemployment (1%)

This feedback highlights the need to focus on each person’s personal circumstances.

What makes an assessment effective

This question asked what helps make assessments useful and supportive. Key feedback included:

• creating a safe environment for face to face, honest conversations with trusted assessors
• requiring experienced and knowledgeable assessors with good communication skills and lived experience
• having enough time to undertake proper assessments
• youth friendly approaches
• the ability to identify and understand individual barriers, including housing, health and others, without intruding
• assessing skills and transferable experience as well as barriers
• providing clear next steps
• allowing self-reflection
• being timely, flexible and adaptable, including on line or virtual assessments where appropriate 

People said assessments should focus on what matters to the individual, their goals and the barriers they face. The process should feel supportive, not intimidating.

Approaches that have worked well

This question asked what has worked well in current employability programmes. Key feedback included: 

• working collaboratively and sharing good practice between areas
• partnerships with employers and other organisations
• connecting businesses with potential employees
• tailored support for NEETs, recognising that young people need different environments and approaches
• wrap-around support before formal engagement including language support
• employer-in-residence schemes for mock interviews
• role model programmes linking businesses to participants
• Young Persons Grant for start-ups
• trauma-informed inclusive approaches with mentors
• support for soft skills
• focus on vocational training

These examples show the value of holistic support that meets individual needs, builds confidence, and connects people with real job opportunities.

Approaches or practices that have not worked well

This question asked about challenges and what has not worked well in past programmes. Key feedback included:

• focussing on KPIs and box ticking rather not long-term change
• too many targets creating pressure that harms sustainability
• payment by results models that do not prioritise quality outcomes
• excessive administration that leads to less quality support
• complex application processes excluding less experienced organisations
• short-term funding creating instability and lack of continuity
• failing to understand each person’s situation resulting in programmes or roles that are unsuitable
• data sharing issues
• large caseloads preventing tailored support
• lack of language support
• minimal use of social media
• duplication of services
• postcode lottery in service provision

Respondents said that too much bureaucracy and a target-driven mindset can get in the way of person-centred support.

One wish for the new Employability Support Programme

This question asked participants what they would most like to see in the new programme. Key feedback included:

• long term sustainable funding not tied to annual cycles leading to better staff retention, consistent services and stable programmes
• trusting delivery partners to shape the programme based on local needs
• funding local projects for local priorities
• flexible programme designs and contracts
• a person-centred approach which focusses on individual needs and can be tailored to support the participant’s needs
• integrating services for health, justice, employment and skills
• better communication and collaboration between providers
• stronger partnership working, including joint events with employers and support partners
• a single programme with combined funding
• improving mental health services, early intervention and specialist staff
• better public transport, including work with Transport for Wales
• improving links with schools
• one data entry point for policy and funding
• simpler processes
• central, visible access points such as city centre employability hubs

The strongest wish was for long-term funding, which people saw as vital for programme stability and staff retention.

Groups that should be prioritised

This question asked which groups the programme should focus on given limited resources (delegates could select three groups). Delegates prioritised:

• long-term unemployed, over 6 months (59%)
• young people aged 16 to 25 (50%)
• all people aged 16 and over (45%)
• those facing redundancy (37%)
• people unemployed for less than six months (34%)
• adults aged 25 and over (17%)

Participants agreed the programme should keep supporting young people as part of the Young Person’s Guarantee while also helping people with long-term unemployment or facing redundancy.

This suggests the new programme should combine a strong focus on youth employment with targeted support for those who have been out of work for a long time or are at risk of losing their job.

Biggest priorities

This question asked delegates to identify the most important areas for the new programme. Key priorities in order of delegate preference included:

• addressing barriers
• pre-engagement and accessibility, ensuring the programme has effective ways to connect with potential participants and easy access to services
• targeting support effectively ranked second, focusing on those with the greatest needs and giving the right level of help
• employment outcomes and getting people into work through approaches like supported employment
• work experience, practical skills and real-world experience
• equality, diversity and inclusion to ensure the programme meets diverse needs and is open to all
• labour market alignment to supporting wider labour market needs

Innovation and designing for success

This question invited creative ideas to make the new programme stand out and stay future-proofed. Key findings included:

• long-term funding for 3 to 5 years to provide stability and allow growth
• more targeted funding for health and wellbeing
• strong partnership working and multi-agency models
• simplicity and flexibility, keeping things simple and avoiding overcomplication with flexible approaches
• tailoring support to each person
• improving data sharing and gamification
• focusing on the real impact and promoting a skilled economy, not just job numbers
• driving social change
• working with schools on employability interventions
• ensuring enough resources are available to deliver an effective programme from the start
• events for the programme’s participant cohorts
• a single point of contact for each person across all services

Participants said that lasting funding, flexibility and strong partnerships will be key to making the programme truly innovative.

The feedback from the Llanelli event highlighted several core priorities for shaping the future of employability support in Wales.

Person-centred support

Recognising individual barriers and needs as the foundation for support.

Long-term stable funding

Moving away from short funding cycles to keep staff and programmes consistent.

Flexible, collaborative delivery

Working across agencies with methods shaped by local needs.

Multi-channel accessibility

Promoting the programme widely through different channels, with social media and community presence especially important.

Building on proven successes

Using what works, such as mentoring, employer engagement and trauma-informed approaches.