Schools in Cardiff are being recognised for their commitment to strengthening careers and work-related experiences through the Careers Wales Quality Award (CWQA).
Since launching in September 2023, 66 schools and settings from across Wales have taken part in the award pilot, including primary, secondary, special schools, pupil referral units and EOTAS provisions. This included Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Eastern High School, Willows High School, Whitchurch High School, Millbank Primary School and Team@Severn.
Pilot schools are already seeing benefits, with feedback highlighting:
- Stronger leadership and planning for careers and work-related experiences
- Increased learner voice
- Improved engagement with parents, employers and communities
- Greater teacher confidence in delivering careers‑related learning.
Careers Wales said the early results show how the award can support schools to build meaningful, high‑quality careers and work‑related experiences for learners aged three to 16 aligned with the Curriculum for Wales.
As the pilot phase draws to a close, registration has now opened for new schools to take part in the Careers Wales Quality Award from September 2026.
Allyson Rogers, from Team@Severn, Cardiff, said:
“The policy and audit have given a great starting point for us to develop an actual programme, rather than doing lots of things with individuals and small groups. This has provided a cohesion and a robust curriculum around CWRE.
“The whole school are aware of what is being done, why they are doing it, what the goals are for all the learners and how it links with the rest of the curriculum. We can all identify strengths and areas for improvement and this facilitates the development of new activities and provision to address these gaps.”
The award is structured across three stages – Leadership, Development and Impact – guiding schools from setting a clear strategic approach to careers education, through to embedding careers and work-related experiences in the curriculum, and then demonstrating the difference this makes for learners.
Schools from the pilot have worked closely with Careers Wales curriculum coordinators to help shape and refine the award ahead of its national rollout. The full national launch will introduce Bronze, Silver and Gold award levels, offering flexibility while recognising schools’ achievements and progress in developing high-quality careers and work-related experiences.
Mark Owen, Head of Stakeholder Services at Careers Wales, said:
“I’d like to congratulate every school and setting that has taken part in the Careers Wales Quality Award pilot. Their commitment and openness to collaboration has been vital in helping us shape an award that effectively supports schools.
“High-quality careers and work-related experiences play an essential role in helping learners understand their options and develop the confidence and skills they need for the future. The quality award gives schools a clear, supportive framework to embed this work across their curriculum, in a way that aligns with the Curriculum for Wales.
“We’re really encouraged by the positive impact we’re already seeing and look forward to welcoming more schools to take part as the award opens more widely later this year.”
