Working Options: Helping Welsh young people realise their career potential
Working Options: Helping Welsh young people realise their career potential
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Young people across Wales have enormous potential that can be unlocked with the right career support and opportunities, according to Sue Maskrey, Chief Executive of the charity Working Options, which is working to level the playing field for students from less privileged backgrounds.
“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t,” Maskrey told Businessin Wales. “We want to help young people who don’t have access to career coaching, contacts, or work experience through family or social networks. That’s where Working Options steps in.”
The organisation works across the UK, with a growing presence in Wales, to connect students with employers, mentors, and career education, offering both in-person and virtual volunteering opportunities for businesses to engage with future talent.
Maskrey acknowledged that the pandemic had a significant impact on the provision of career advice and real-world exposure in schools, especially in communities that were already underserved.
“There are skills gaps across Wales, and young people are often unaware of career paths in sectors like construction or technology where there are opportunities,” she said. “By bringing professionals into schools, even for just an hour, we can open students’ eyes to new possibilities.”
Working Options supports schools across Wales, having reached 15,000 students in 12 months, helping businesses deliver structured career talks and creating a pipeline of diverse, informed young talent for employers.
One of the charity’s key ambassadors in Wales is former Wales and Lions rugby star Jonathan ‘Fox’ Davies, who is helping open doors within the country’s close-knit professional networks.
“There’s something special about Wales. People know each other, support each other, and care about the next generation,” said Maskrey. “We’ve seen overwhelming interest from people who want to help.”
This network effect, she said, is helping build momentum behind the charity’s efforts in Wales, especially as employers increasingly look to improve diversity and inclusion in their workforce.
“One of our key aims is to help businesses understand young people better and realise the value they bring,” she said. “Diverse, inclusive teams perform better and that starts with recruitment, support, and helping young people feel like they belong.”
She cited recent OECD data that underscores the need for intervention:
- Only 44% of students in Wales say they know what career they want to pursue.
- Just 15% had received the recommended amount of careers guidance.
- Only 8.3% aspired to a career in construction, despite high demand in the sector.
“There’s a clear mismatch between what young people know about and where the jobs are,” she said. “Our job is to shine a light on those opportunities and make sure young people feel empowered to pursue them if they want to.”
From enhanced brand reputation to improved employee engagement, Maskrey says the charity’s work offers tangible value for businesses.
“Our volunteering model is easy to take part in. Just an hour in a local school can make a big difference,” she said. “And for businesses, it helps build talent pipelines, supports CSR goals, and boosts employee satisfaction.”
As Working Options deepens its presence in Wales, it’s calling on more businesses to get involved, whether through one-off sessions, mentoring, or longer-term partnerships.
“It’s about creating a movement,” Maskrey said. “We’re building something that connects people, opens doors, and helps young people thrive, not just for their future, but for the future of the Welsh economy.”
