Minutes of the CCDG Board Meeting 21 May 2025

The Board of Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa (CCDG) meets quarterly. The board is responsible for the governance and compliance with the corporate governance code. Below are the minutes of the CCDG Board meeting held on 21 May 2025.

Board Members Present:

• Erica Cassin (Chair)
• Andrew Clark
• Helen White
• Joni Ayn-Alexander
• Kate Daubney
• Rhian Roberts (RhR)
• Viv Laing
• Richard Thomas
• Dave Mathews (DM)
• Natalie Richards
• Rokib Uddin

From Careers Wales:

• Nikki Lawrence
• Ruth Ryder (RR)

In Attendance:

Phil Bowden – Head of Quality and Planning (item 6, 7 and 9)

Welsh Government (WG):

• Sam Evans
• Neil Surman

• Absent:

• Nerys Bourne
• Tony Smith
• Azza Ali

Secretariat:

Donna Millward(DMM)

1. Apologies/Declarations of interest

Apologies were received from Nerys Bourne, Tony Smith and Azza Ali.

No new declarations of interest were noted.

2. Minutes of the previous meeting, March 5, 2025

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as an accurate record.

3. Matters arising

Action 1. Chair to update on options for an external board evaluation. This action had been completed.

Action 2. Identify and present the strategic risks for the organisation for further discussion on risk appetite. This action had been completed.

Action 3. Cyber and information security to be added as agenda item for next board meeting. DM – Board member to provide update. This action had been completed.

Action 4. Circulate the final reports from the Senedd committees to Performance and Impact Committee members as soon as they become available. This action to be carried forward to the next CCDG Board meeting.

Action 5. Arrange a meeting to discuss and define the board's objective and role in relation to Anti Racist Wales Action Plan within the organisation. This action had been completed.

4. Chair’s update – verbal

4.1 Performance and Achievements
The Chair highlighted the organisation's strong performance in the last financial year, exceeding most KPIs despite significant cuts and changes. Formal thanks given to the team.

Action 2. The Chair to write to all employees to thank them and recognise their efforts and achievements.

4.2 Meeting with the Minister
The Chair updated members on a recent meeting with the Minister, who is supportive and engaged with Careers Wales' work.

4.3 Public Bodies Chairs Meeting
The Chair attended the Public Bodies Chair Meeting. The primary topic was the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan.

4.4 Board Workplan 2025-26
Members discussed the annual plan of work. Feedback and suggestions were encouraged, especially from committee chairs in aligning committee work plans with the board's agenda.

4.5 Board Recruitment
The Chair updated members on the ongoing process of recruiting new board members.

5. Chief Executive’s report

Members discussed the previously circulated report.

5.1 Key Company Risks
The report highlighted five key risks which remain unchanged from the previous report.

5.2 Budget Update
The Board was advised that no further updates had been received from Welsh Government on National Insurance employer contributions position.

The Minister requested that Tailored Work Experience continue to be delivered by Careers Wales from within the existing budget envelope.

5.3 Stakeholder Engagement
The Chief Executive has met with key stakeholders such as the CBI, CDI, FSB. Ministers and Welsh Government colleagues.

5.4 Executive Team Changes
The Chief Executive announced the decision to advertise internally for an interim director of delivery.

5.5 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
An update was provided on the company KPIs. Members noted that KPIs had been exceeded, except for one related to targeted groups, achieving 61% against a target of 70%.

6. Welsh Government (WG) update

6.1 UK Industrial Strategy
The Welsh Government expects to receive the UK Industrial Strategy at the same time of the spending review in June.

6.2 Regional Skills Partnerships (RSPs)
The Welsh Government has refocused the activities of RSPs to align more closely with the First Minister's jobs and green growth strategic priority.

6.3 Flexible Skills Programme (FSP)
The Minister has formally launched the flexible skills programme. Changes have been made to the rules which includes raising the business development threshold and allowing multiple applications from employers.

6.4 Airbus visit
Members heard of the WG plan to visit Airbus in June where the possibility of a green skills challenge would be explored.

6.5 First Minister's Focus
The First Ministers focus is on delivery and impact for this year hence the changes made to some programmes. The Welsh Government representative also indicated that they were working closely with Medr.

7. New strategy update and priorities discussion

The Head of Quality and Planning joined the meeting. Board members discussed the new strategy and priorities of work packages and a decision was taken to extend the current strategy - Brighter Futures by twelve months whilst continuing to develop the new strategy to launch in April 2027.

8. Premises

The Board formally approved the sale of four Careers Wales owned properties.

9. Operational Plan

The Head of Quality and Planning outlined the operational plan for 2025 to 2026. Highlights include the focus on continuing the implementation of the current strategy while preparing for the new strategy and a new offer for schools that aims to achieve 80% of young people to see a careers advisor by the end of Year 11. With the current performance exceeding this at 85%.

The plan continues to focus on targeted support for vulnerable groups, including young people with disabilities, those educated at home, and those with additional learning needs (ALN).

The plan includes efforts to engage employers and build employer-school relationships. This involves working closely with key employers in different sectors to create opportunities for young people and ensure they are prepared for the workforce.

The plan includes ongoing projects related to AI and digital transformation, such as the implementation of a new learning platform called Sbarc and the development of the booking app.

10. Funding letter

The Chief Executive shared the funding letter with members.

11. Cyber and Information security update

The Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) provided an update on the cyber and information security landscape.

The primary risk to the organisation remains as phishing attacks. The Director of Resources and Transformation provided an overview of the last phishing exercise to Board members and the actions taken as a result.

Careers Wales maintains Cyber Essentials Plus certification and complies with Welsh Government's data protection and information security policies.

It was highlighted there have been no major breaches reported, and the organisation continues to monitor and improve its security measures.

The SIRO mentioned an increase in hacking attempts via mobile devices and plans to discuss policies around mobile device security with the Director of Resources and Transformation, Head of ICT and ICT Systems Engineer Manager.

The SIRO confirmed his confidence in the security measures in place to protect Careers Wales from any cyber attacks.

12. Anti Racist Wales Action Plan

The Chair summarised the discussion from the Public Bodies meeting which focused on the Anti Racist Wales Action Plan. Key points included the importance of collecting and monitoring data on workforce diversity and service provision and the need to track progress through specific KPIs.

The role of leadership in fostering an inclusive culture and the need to use positive action more effectively was emphasised.

Following the public bodies meeting, members were updated on a Board subgroup meeting that had taken place to discuss the Anti Racist Wales Action Plan. Key points shared which included Anti-racism and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) should be regularly included on the board agenda.

Consideration of dedicated resources for anti-racism efforts, potentially as a strategic appointment. This role would focus on removing barriers and ensuring the impact of anti-racism initiatives.

It was noted that a member of the ED&I committee will present on this area at the July board meeting.

13. Any other business

13.1 ARAC Chair’s and Heads of Resources Meeting
The Chair of the Board Finance, Audit and Risk Committee updated on a recent Audit Wales meeting that was also attended by the Director of Resources and Transformation.

13.2 Recognising and Responding to Early Warning Signs in Public Sector Bodies Report:
The Chair mentioned a report on recognising and responding to early warning signs in public sector bodies. The report includes lessons learned from various public enquiries and other public reviews.

Action Log

• Action 1. Circulate the final reports from the Senedd committees to Performance and Impact Committee members as soon as they become available. Lead NB. Update to be provided, As soon as possible.
• Action 2. The Chair to write to all employees to thank them and recognise their efforts and achievements. Lead EC. Update to be provided, As soon as possible.

No further actions recorded

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