Jobs Growth Wales+ follow up review: Government response

The advice was commissioned as part of Estyn’s thematic reviews of the Welsh Government’s Jobs Growth Wales+ Programme. This is the second in a rolling programme of reports provided by Estyn on Jobs Growth Wales+. The initial report was published in October 2023.

This review recommends improvements in the following areas:

Welsh Government

The report recommends reviewing the structure of the strands and considering alternative measures other than programme destinations as a positive outcome. In addition, Welsh Government should ensure all of Wales has a choice of contractor and should consider how funding methodologies and allocations can best meet the increasing demands for the programme. 

Contractors

According to the report, Contractors should ensure a clear distinction between the Engagement and Advancement strand, should encourage all participants to achieve to the best of their abilities and continue to develop employer engagement strategies. 

All programme partners

Estyn recommend that all stakeholders evaluate processes for sharing of information to ensure that contractors receive timely information on participants with additional learning needs (ALN) and an Individual Development Plan (IDP).

Contractors should:

Recommendation 1

Ensure a clear distinction between engagement and advancement curriculum, and that all participants understand their opportunities for progression.

Welsh Government response: accept

Officials will issue clear instructions to contractors on their marketing and engagement strategies so that participants are fully aware of the differences between JGW+ Engagement and Advancement and progression between the two strands.

Recommendation 2

Stretch and motivate all participants to achieve to the best of their abilities, particularly in progressing from centre-based activity into work placement, further education and training or employment once they are ready.

Welsh Government response: accept

We will monitor contractors against delivery targets to ensure all young people have Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) that have appropriately aspirational training and development activities for them to achieve employment. 

We will also ensure Welsh Government contract management processes regularly review centre based activity and subsequent work placements to ensure opportunities are available for all young people on the programme.

Recommendation 3

Continue to develop employer engagement strategies to ensure participants can access timely sector-specific work placements aligned with their career aspirations.

Welsh Government response: accept

We will ensure all contractors actively work with employers to maximise relevant sector based work experience. This will be monitored through contract management processes and key performance indicators will be recorded.

Recommendation 4

The Welsh Government should review the structure of strands, particularly the effectiveness of the employment strand, with consideration of an alternative strand for participants that have the most significant barriers to progression.

Welsh Government response: accept

We are at the initial stages of developing a successor programme to Jobs Growth Wales+ which will commence in 2027. As part of our development we are considering the effectiveness of all strands and analysing what approach works best to meet the needs of the people accessing support.

Recommendation 5

Consider alternative measures other than programme destinations as a positive outcome, particularly for those furthest from progression into further education, training or employment.

Welsh Government response: accept

As part of our development of the JGW+ successor we are actively considering what measures need to be recorded for the new programme. This includes consideration of recording ’soft’ outcomes such as perception of readiness for work or perception of wellbeing.

Recommendation 6

Ensure that contracted provision across all regions includes a choice of provider and appropriate choice of sector specific programmes.

Welsh Government response: accept in part

When Jobs Growth Wales+ was procured, Wales was split into four regional ‘lots’ North Wales, Mid and West Wales, South Central and Southeast Wales. Each lot has either two or three contractors offering Jobs Growth Wales+ provision. Contractors work collaboratively to ensure there is coverage across the whole of Wales. We are unable to change the Contractor set up for JGW+ due to procurement restrictions, but we will take this into account when drafting the new programme.

Recommendation 7

Consider how funding methodologies and allocations can best meet the increasing demands for the programme.

Welsh Government response: accept 

Levels of engagement on JGW+ have exceeded planning assumptions and we are aware that some Jobs Growth Wales+ Contractors are operating waiting lists in some areas of Wales. We keep funding under continuous review in order to maximise the benefit to the programme and to offer best value for money for public funds.

All stakeholders involved in delivering JGW+ should:

Evaluate processes for sharing of information to ensure that contractors receive timely information on participants with additional learning needs (ALN) and an Individual Development Plan (IDP), allowing necessary support to be offered at the earliest opportunity.

Welsh Government response: accept

As part of our development of the JGW+ successor we will evaluate information sharing protocols for the new programme to ensure the best possible support can be offered to young people.

Publication details

The full report can be accessed on Estyn’s website and was published on 15 July 2025.