Young People Explore Career Options At North Wales Event 2026

Key Points

• Approximately 200 learners with additional learning needs took part in the “What Next? Choose Your Future” careers event held at Ysgol Y Gogarth in Llandudno on 7 October 2026.
• Representatives of Year 10 through to Year 14 came from 11 schools and settings in north Wales.
• Approximately 50 organisations gave information about careers, courses, apprenticeships and training pathways.
• Organisations attending the event include North Wales Police, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Wynne Construction, Morlais, the Royal Air Force, North Wales Wildlife Trust and St John Ambulance Cymru.
• At the event, there was direct access to employers, impartial careers guidance, hands-on activities and three workshops.
• Workshops were run by Fran Wen, SP Energy Networks, John Lynn Martial Arts and Conwy Employment Hub.
• According to Martin Webber, Careers Wales business engagement adviser, hands-on activities and face-to-face interaction with employers can make the world of work seem more reachable to young people with additional learning needs.
• According to Wynne Construction, the learners are polite, engaged and confident.

Wales (Wales Times) November 03, 2026 — Around 200 young people with additional learning needs explored future career, education and training opportunities at a Careers Wales event held at Ysgol Y Gogarth in Llandudno on 7 October 2026.

Choose Your Future event brought together learners from Year 10 to Year 14 at 11 schools and settings across north Wales. According to Wales247, the young people met around 50 organisations offering information about careers, courses, apprenticeships and training routes.

What happened at the Llandudno careers event?

The event was designed to give young people with additional learning needs direct access to employers, training providers and careers advisers. Learners were able to ask questions about recruitment expectations, different career paths and the skills needed for work.

As reported by Wales247, organisations present included North uk/police/">Wales Police, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Wynne Construction, Morlais, the Royal Air Force, North Wales Wildlife Trust and St John Ambulance Cymru.

Careers advisers also attended to provide impartial information and guidance. The event combined employer conversations with practical activities, giving learners an opportunity to experience different types of work-related tasks rather than only receiving written information.

Which schools attended the event?

The schools and settings represented at the event were:

• Ysgol Y Gogarth, Llandudno
• Ysgol Tir Morfa, Rhyl
• Canolfan Addysg Y Bont, Llangefni
• Ysgol Plas Brondyfrryn, Denbigh
• St Christopher’s School, Wrexham
• Ysgol Maes Hyfryd, Flint
• Ysgol Hafod Lon, Penrhyndeudraeth
• Ysgol Pendalar, Caernarfon
• Ysgol Aberconwy, Tegfan Unit, Conwy
• Ysgol Bryn Elian, Individual Resource Base, Old Colwyn
• Chestnut Hill School, Holywell

The participation of schools from across north Wales indicated that the event drew learners from a wide geographic area, including Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Anglesey and Wrexham.

What activities did learners take part in?

Alongside employer stands, the event included hands-on activities and three workshops. According to Wales247, Fran Wen delivered a creative drama workshop.

SP Energy Networks challenged learners to design and build an electricity network for a town. The activity gave participants a practical introduction to infrastructure, problem-solving and engineering-related thinking.

John Lynn Martial Arts and Conwy Employment Hub delivered a confidence-building workshop. This element focused on helping learners develop personal skills that may support them in education, training and employment settings.

What did Careers Wales say?

Martin Webber, a business engagement adviser at Careers Wales, said the level of participation from young people was encouraging.

As reported by Wales247, Mr Webber said: “It was fantastic to see so many young people getting involved, asking questions and exploring the different opportunities available to them.”

He added: “For young people with additional learning needs, having the opportunity to speak directly to employers and try practical activities can help make the world of work feel more accessible.”

Mr Webber also thanked the schools, employers and organisations that supported the event.

What did employers say about the learners?

A representative from Wynne Construction said the students who took part in the company’s activities were engaged and confident.

As reported by Wales247, the representative said: “All of the students that we interacted with were very polite and engaged. It was a delight to see so many that were happy and confident enough to take part in our activities. It was a heartwarming and worthwhile day.”

The comment reflected the employer’s experience of direct engagement with learners during the event.

Why does the event matter for young people?

The event provided an opportunity for young people with additional learning needs to learn about employment and training options in a supported environment. By meeting employers directly, learners could gain information about workplace expectations and available routes into work.

The inclusion of apprenticeships, courses and training providers meant the event was not limited to one type of destination. Learners could consider employment, further education, vocational training and other pathways.

The practical workshops also gave learners a chance to take part in activities connected to communication, confidence, creativity and problem-solving.

Background of the development

Careers Wales is the Welsh Government-funded careers service that provides information, advice and guidance on learning and work. The What Next? Choose Your Future event formed part of its work to support young people in making informed decisions about their futures.

The event was held at Ysgol Y Gogarth, a special school in Llandudno, and focused specifically on learners with additional learning needs. Its format combined employer engagement with careers advice and interactive sessions.

The participating organisations represented a range of sectors, including emergency services, construction, energy, the armed forces, environmental work and first aid. This range allowed learners to encounter different career fields in one setting.

Prediction: How can this affect young people and families?

For young people with additional learning needs, events such as this may make future decisions feel less abstract by connecting classroom learning with real employers and practical activities. Direct conversations with organisations can help learners understand what employers look for and which routes may suit their interests.

For families and school staff, the event may provide a clearer starting point for discussions about post-16 options, apprenticeships, further education and employment support. The presence of careers advisers also offers access to impartial guidance at a stage when learners are beginning to plan their next steps.

For local employers, the event creates an opportunity to engage early with potential future applicants and to understand how to communicate opportunities more accessibly. If similar events continue, they may help strengthen links between north Wales schools, careers services and employers.