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 22 July 2025.
Board Members Present
- Erica Cassin (Chair)
- Andrew Clark
- Helen White
- Joni Ayn-Alexander
- Kate Daubney
- Rhian Roberts (RhR)
- Viv Laing
- Tony Smith
- Azza Ali
From Careers Wales
- Nikki Lawrence
- Ruth Ryder (RR)
- Amie Field
Welsh Government (WG)
- Sam Evans
Absent
- Neil Surman
- Dave Mathews (DM)
- Natalie Richards
- Rokib Uddin
- Richard Thomas
Secretariat
Donna Millward(DMM)
1. Apologies/Declarations of interest
Apologies were received from Neil Surman, Dave Mathews (DM), Natalie Richards, Rokib Uddin and Richard Thomas
No new declarations of interest were noted.
2. Minutes of the previous meeting, May 21, 2025
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as an accurate record.
3. Matters Arising
Action 1. 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 2. The Chair to write to all employees to thank them and recognise their efforts and achievements. This action to be carried forward to the next CCDG Board meeting.
4. Chair’s update, verbal
4.1 Executive Team Changes
The Chair formally welcomed AF to the board, acknowledging her new interim director role.
4.2 Board Recruitment
The Chair updated members on the ongoing process of recruiting new board members. Interviews have concluded and the recommendation will be sent to Minister for approval.
The Chair confirmed that a co-opted member has been appointed and will join the Performance and Impact Committee.
4.3 Sub Committees
The Chair updated members on the changes to the Chairs of the Sub-Committees.
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.
Board members discussed the key company risks and raised questions about safeguarding referrals and the board's responsibility in this area. Additional detail on risk mitigation and cyber security status was requested. Members discussed the issues raised and agreed to include the detail in future Chief Executive's report.
5.2 National Insurance Employer Contribution
The Board was advised that confirmation has been received from Welsh Government to fund the additional NI contributions for 2025/26.
Board members expressed concern around ongoing budget/financial position if this additional funding is not continued into future years.
5.3 Pay Award
Unison has submitted their pay claim for 2025/26.
5.4 Stakeholder Engagement
The Chief Executive has regular meetings with key stakeholders, including Medr. The Chief Executive and Director of Service Delivery are attending a face-to-face meeting with Medr to further discuss strategic collaboration.
5.5 Executive Team Changes
The Chief Executive confirmed that AF had been appointed as interim Director of Service Delivery. Recruitment for an interim head of services to young people is underway.
5.6 New Strategy
An update on new strategy will be given under the substantive agenda item.
5.7. Key Changes/transformations
The report covered various operational improvements and transformational projects.
5.7.1 Future Jobs Wales
The Future Jobs Wales project has completed work on all 16 sectors.
5.7.2 Data Intelligence Hub
WG had funding a further piece of work in relation to the development of the Careers Wales Data intelligence hub. Funding had not been approved for the full creation of a data hub which would require additional resources.
5.8 Stakeholder Services
The Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education requested that Careers Wales to continue fund tailored work experience (TWE) but from the existing core budget envelope. In this financial year TWE was only available in one part of Wales, but it is now being expanded to North Wales with the appointment of an additional full-time equivalent post.
5.9 CDI Awards 2025
A Working Wales careers adviser recently won“ Career Development Professional Working in Non-Education Settings” category at the 2025 Careers Development Institute (CDI) Awards.
5.10 KPIs
An update was provided on the company KPIs. Members noted that no current concerns; performance is on track, but it is early in the reporting year.
6. Welsh Government (WG) Update
6.1 OECD Report on Tailored Work Experience
The Welsh Government commissioned the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to review the tailored work experience programme. The report will be published shortly.
Action 3. Welsh Government representative to share the OECD report link with board members once available.
6.2 Work in Prisons Report
The Welsh Government team responsible for work in prisons has completed a report on Working Wales’ role in prisons. Publication is expected in October.
Action 4. Welsh Government representative to share the Working Wales role in prisons report link with board members when available.
6.3 Omnibus Questionnaire, Brand Awareness
An internal Welsh Government survey found a reduction in awareness of the “Working Wales” brand, especially among 16–24-year-olds. It was noted that WG had ceased funding campaigns this year due to budget pressures but those run by Careers Wales had continued. The decline in awareness has not affected the number of people accessing the service, which continues to rise. The Welsh Government is considering recommendations for marketing improvements to increase awareness.
7. New Strategy Progress
The Chief Executive provided a verbal update on the progress in developing the new strategy and highlighted key points to board members which included ongoing discussions with the Senior Management Team on goals, structure, and packages of work.
The Chief Executive shared insights with board members from research conducted by Beaufort.
Members noted a school survey being conducted to understand service priorities and the appetite for digital services.
The Chief Executive highlighted that a further strategy paper with recommendations will be brought to the next board meeting.
8. Return On Investment (ROI)/ Evaluation
The Chief Executive provided a verbal update on the return on investment (ROI) to board members and emphasised the importance of demonstrating the organisation's impact.
The Chief Executive mentioned that the person who previously conducted a ROI analysis for Careers Wales, has been commissioned to update his work, and referenced previous ROI findings. The updated findings would be provided to a future board meeting once they were available.
Action 5: The Chief Executive to share the previous ROI report with board members.
Board members noted that the same individual is also working on analysing the link between advisor performance (as observed) and customer satisfaction/motivation gains.
Board members heard that Careers Wales is continuing a longitudinal study tracking 400 young people. The Chief Executive highlighted the importance of this study in demonstrating long-term impact.
9. Management Accounts
The Director of Resources and Transformation presented the management accounts, confirming they had been reviewed and approved by the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee. The version shared with board members included amendments based on committee feedback.
The Chair of Finance, Audit and Risk Committee gave assurance to board members that there are no issues requiring board attention.
10. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion / Leave no one behind
The Director of Service Delivery provided a comprehensive update, focusing on customer, recruitment, and workforce.
The Director of Service Delivery highlighted the use of the ED&I dashboard to monitor service penetration rates among different communities. The dashboard helps ensure equitable service delivery and identify areas for improvement.
10.1 Customer
Members heard that black, asian, and ethnic minority women are a priority group, in line with the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan.
The Director of Service Delivery outlined various training initiatives, including mandatory anti-racism training, gypsy, roma, traveller training, and trauma-informed practice training. These initiatives aim to enhance staff awareness and competence in ED&I matters.
The ED&I policy has been updated and published.
The final report against current Strategic Equality Plan (SEP) signed off by SMT and the Board. Development of the next SEP is underway and will involve consultation with internal and external stakeholders alongside future company strategy and company strategy EIA.
The Director of Service Delivery discussed partnerships with external organisations, such as East, to support ED&I initiatives and will arrange volunteering and diversity mentoring for senior leaders. These partnerships aim to embed anti-racism in leadership and develop sustainable community relationships.
Priorities for improvement shared with board members which included renewed focus on equality impact assessments (EIAs), with recent training for managers and plans to embed EIAs in HR practices and strengthening the ED&I dashboard.
10.2 Recruitment
Board members were advised that a review of recruitment practices would be undertaken over the next 18 months, and this would include ensuring that practices were open to attracting as wide a talent pool as possible.
10.3 Workforce
Current workforce data is limited in terms of diversity information but there are plans in place to address this. It was noted that the current data shows strong representation of women in senior roles.
10.4 Board’s Contribution
The E,D&I paper posed four questions to board members which focused on links to community groups, recommendations, and suggestions.
Board members discussed each question and asked to reflect with any further comments/links on the SEP/E,D&I.
Action 6. Board members to suggest community links and provide feedback on the SEP.
Board members agreed on six-monthly progress reports, with a focus on both quantitative metrics and cultural change, possibly using a maturity matrix.
11. Human Resources, Annual Metrics Report
The Director of Resources and Transformation presented the new format of the Human Resources annual metrics report, confirming they had been shared and reviewed by the People Matters Committee. Key points highlighted including E, D & I, sickness absence, recruitment, and data. Members commended the new approach to reporting these metrics.
11.1 ED&I
Board members heard plans to focus on improving diversity and inclusion by consulting with internal and external groups, including community groups, to understand how to better reach underrepresented populations.
11.2 Sickness Absence
Board members were updated on the current changes being piloted to help improve sickness absence levels across the company. Board members noted that overall reduction was being seen particularly in relation to short-term sickness.
11.3 Recruitment
Board members heard a thorough review of the recruitment process is planned.
11.4 Data
Board members noted delays in producing a workforce data dashboard due to HR system issues, but this is now nearly resolved and will soon be available.
The Chair gave recognition and thanked the Human Resources Manager on the new formatting of the report. Board members discussed the annual metrics report and raised qualifications and entry routes into employment. Members discussed the issues raised.
12. Q1. Finance, Audit and Risk Committee – Minutes (Draft) – June 10, 2025
The minutes of the last meeting were shared, and the Chair outlined the key points of the meeting for members.
Members heard that cyber awareness training for board members was discussed and will be offered as part of new member induction and then routine refresh updates to all members.
13. Q1. Performance and Impact Committee – Minutes (Draft) – July 8, 2025
The minutes of the last meeting were shared and key points highlighted.
14. Q1. People Matters Committee – Minutes (Draft) – June 5, 2025
The minutes of the last meeting were shared, and the Chair outlined the key points of the meeting for members.
15. Any Other Business
No other business was noted.
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 NL/AF . 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.
- Action 3. Welsh Government representative to share the OECD report link with board members once available. Lead SE. Update to be provided, As soon as possible.
- Action 4. Welsh Government representative to share the Working Wales role in prisons report link with board members when available. Lead SE. Update to be provided, October 2025
- Action 5. The Chief Executive to share the previous ROI report with board members. Lead NL. Update to be provided, As soon as possible.
- Action 6. Board members to suggest community links and provide feedback on the SEP. Lead All. Update to be provided, As soon as possible.
No further actions recorded
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