Learners from Bryn y Deryn and Can y Deryn pupil referral units (PRUs) in Cardiff have taken part in a series of employer visits and workshops.
PRUs support children and young people who cannot attend mainstream school, whether due to a short- or long-term health condition, exclusion, or while they wait for a suitable school place.
The activities were facilitated by Adrian Cole, a business engagement adviser at Careers Wales, and offered learners the opportunity to explore a wide range of jobs and industries, from construction and transport through to fashion, beauty and social care.
Throughout the autumn and spring terms last year, pupils took part in visits to local employers and training providers including:
- Cardiff Transport Services, where they went on a guided career tour and explored servicing and MOT facilities.
- Superdrug’s Beauty Studio, where they joined a makeup workshop and learned about careers in beauty courses in college.
- Taylor Wimpey, where they took part in a bricklaying workshop.
- Screen Alliance Wales, where pupils had career workshops on theatrical makeup and VFX.
- We Care Wales and South Wales Police, where learners explored careers in care and policing.
- Wales Millennium Centre, where pupils attended a workshop to rig their own light and sound systems and created a light display.
- Sacyr Construction, where pupils were invited for a site tour for Sacyr UK’s new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC) to learn about construction careers and pathways.
Many learners said the experiences helped them discover new career interests and feel more confident about the future. One pupil is now applying for an apprenticeship at Cardiff Transport Services, while another decided to pursue a makeup course at college following the Superdrug workshop. A learner who attended the construction machinery session said they now want to train as a plant operator.
Pupils also had the chance to practise their interview skills through one-to-one mock interviews with a range of employers, helping to build their confidence for real-life situations.
Sacyr Construction has since agreed to become a Valued Partner of y Deryn group of schools. Over the next two years, Sacyr will deliver regular site visits and hands-on workshops to continue inspiring learners and supporting their career development in the sector.
This will start with a ‘Females into Construction’ visit to the site with interactive workshops where female pupils will hear from female staff working on the construction site and learn more about how they were inspired to work within the sector.
Dominique Deacon, career teacher at Bryn y Deryn/Can y Deryn, said:
“I have found working with Careers Wales this year so valuable to supporting the learner's personal development.
“Many of our learners have behavioural, emotional and social difficulties therefore it is of the upmost importance that we offer them valuable, practical and real-life experiences. This has been facilitated by Careers Wales, who has offered us many opportunities for our learners to access real industry.”
Adrian Cole said:
“It’s been a pleasure working with the pupils from Bryn y Deryn and Can y Deryn PRU. Learners have engaged extremely well with employers and have taken advantage of the opportunities given to them.
“I’m looking forward to future employer visits and working with Sacyr Construction and the school to help develop this long-term Valued Partner relationship.”
Joanne O’Keefe, community benefits co-ordinator for Sacyr, said:
“We are very proud to make a long-term commitment to supporting the Y Deryn group of schools while we are on site. Our priority will be to inform, educate and inspire pupils through our Valued Partnership, showing them that construction and engineering is a viable, achievable and exciting career route for them after education.”
In 2024-25, Careers Wales delivered a bespoke employer engagement service to special schools and pupil referral units (PRUs) across Wales, with 197 sessions supported in 69 different settings.
For more information about how employers can work with schools to provide careers and work-related experiences to young people, visit the Careers Wales website or contact businessengagementadvisers@careerswales.gov.wales.
