Jobs Growth Wales+ is here

The new programme, offers learners better opportunities for their next step.

Jobs Growth Wales+ is an innovative new Welsh Government initiative, which will provide 16-18 year olds with tailored support, to ensure they get the help they need to find employment or training.

Here at ACT, a new management team has been tasked with rolling the programme out across our different centres. At the start of 2021, the proportion of 16 to 18-year-olds estimated to be not in education, employment, or training (NEET) increased in Wales. To ensure there is no “lost generation” in Wales, the Welsh Government unveiled the Young Person’s Guarantee – a commitment that everyone under the age of 25 would have the offer of support to gain a place in education or training, find a job or become self-employed.

Launched in April this year, Jobs Growth Wales+ aims to help youths get their foot in the door with employers, by offering a 50% wage subsidy to businesses who recruit with the scheme. The programme is designed to provide life-changing opportunities, to create resilient young individuals who have the skills, enthusiasm, drive, and creativity to fulfil their potential, irrespective of ability, background, gender, or ethnicity.

“We now have a brilliant team in place ready and raring to go.” - Leon Patnett, Head of Youth Engagement & Training

ACT’s new specialist management team for Jobs Growth Wales+ is now in place. The team celebrated this with a special launch event in Ocean Park House on Thursday, April 7.

Leon Patnett, Head of Youth Engagement & Training, said: "Even though its early days, it’s great that we now have a brilliant team in place ready and raring to go. I feel the balance- of experienced staff and new faces means we have a great blend of skills, knowledge and expertise to meet the needs of learners accessing the programme.

“We are also developing further links with other teams to enhance our programme offer and progression opportunities.”

ACT’s new JGW+ team is as follows: Delivery Managers

They will manage our delivery centres (including the tutors, admin and Learner support staff in that centre), as well as lead on areas within JGW+.

Emma Prothero will be responsible for Caerphilly, as the Curriculum Lead for Care, Hairdressing and Employability.

Luke Hemming will have responsibility for Bridgend, as the Curriculum Lead for Customer Services, IT and Employability.

Ian Rowberry will have responsibility for Aberdare, as Curriculum Lead for Beauty, Engagement and PGW.

Clare Harden will be responsible for Hadfield, as Curriculum Lead for Animal Care, Construction and PGW.

Bethany Kate - Leading on Learner support admin, ALS processes, Learning Coach Delivery and Safeguarding.

Neil Evans - Leading on Learning Coach processes, outreach team, learner behaviour and safeguarding. Neil and Beth will manage all of the Learning Coaches centrally as well as the (to be developed) Outreach team.

Cheryl Evans - Cheryl will oversee the World of Work elements of the programme, including Work Placement, Work Tasters and the Employment Strand. Cheryl will manage all of the World of Work advisers. Jon Ridout will also have responsibility for Hadfield, with a focus on Learning induction and IQA Support.

Hollie Keeping will have responsibility for OPH, looking at IQA Support and JGW+ admin.

Darren Gould will be responsible for Pontypool and EV, as Curriculum Lead for Motor vehicle, IQA Support and Learner Success.

Lewis Jones will be responsible for the Barry centre, as Curriculum Lead for Hospitality and Enrichment.