Following a successful pilot, the Careers Wales Quality Award (CWQA) will be launched in September 2026. You can now apply to be part of the first intake.
The CWQA supports schools to:
- Deliver high-quality Careers and Work-Related Experiences (CWRE)
- Develop CWRE for learners from 3 to 16 as part of the Curriculum for Wales
Careers Wales Quality Award stages
The CWQA has 3 stages:
- Bronze - Leadership
- Silver - Development
- Gold - Impact
Schools start with CWQA Bronze. When each stage is successfully completed they can move on to the next.
Support and requirements
You will work with a CWRE Curriculum Coordinator who will support you throughout the process. This will include monthly meetings and professional learning and networking opportunities.
Your school or setting must provide the name of the person who will be the CWQA Lead. This person will coordinate the CWQA work. The school or setting must also commit to allowing them time to do this work.
The Awards
Bronze - Leadership
This award is about making a commitment to lead the development of Careers and Work-Related Experiences (CWRE).
CWQA Bronze recognises schools that show clear leadership and whole-school commitment to CWRE. This includes the support of the Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body.
Achieving Bronze
The school must have a well-developed CWRE policy that sets out the school’s vision, strategy, and approach.
Bronze schools make staff and stakeholders aware of the policy. Stakeholders include parents and carers, governors, and learners. Schools also ensure that everyone understands the purpose and value of CWRE within the curriculum.
The school will have:
- Identified clear roles and responsibilities for delivery
- Worked in partnership with key Careers Wales staff
- Allocated time, funding and professional development to support provision
Bronze schools include CWRE provision in key documents, like the School Development Plan and curriculum plans. They are clear about how they will track, review and strengthen their CWRE offer for learners.
Timescale
The CWQA Bronze will take about one academic year to achieve.
Silver - Development
This award is about realising CWRE in the curriculum.
CWQA Silver recognises schools that take a strategic and reflective approach to developing their Careers and Work-Related Experiences (CWRE).
Achieving Silver
Professional learning, stakeholder engagement and effective teaching and learning are key to achieving CWQA Silver.
The school must carry out a thorough audit of their provision aligned with Welsh Government curriculum guidance. They use this to inform curriculum design.
Schools identify clear areas for development. Actions and timescales feed into a CWRE Development Plan.
Staff leading CWRE show an annual commitment to their own professional learning. The school identifies and responds to wider staff development needs in a timely and purposeful way.
The school will have:
- Involved learners in in shaping, delivering and evaluating CWRE
- Supported parents and carers as key partners in their child's career development
- Used information and resources, including Careers Wales services, to ensure meaningful learning experiences
Silver schools build and manage relationships with employers and third-party organisations. They ensure learners benefit from a broad range of high-quality, appropriate work-related experiences.
They work within their cluster or feeder groups to secure progression in CWRE. They give learners the chance to engage with the full range of education and training providers. This is done to support informed choices about future pathways.
Timescale
The CWQA Silver will about two academic years to achieve.
Gold - Impact
This award is about demonstrating impact in Careers and Work-Related Experiences (CWRE).
CWQA Gold schools plan and deliver CWRE in line with Welsh Government curriculum guidance. They can show how their approach makes a difference to learners and the wider school community.
Achieving Gold
The school's CWRE curriculum is broad, balanced and embedded across the curriculum. It is not delivered as a stand-alone subject. It provides suitable experiences for all learners, drawing on a range of approaches.
Schools can show a strong cycle of continuous improvement. They use their Development Plan as a live working document. The plan is regularly reviewed, updated and shaped by clear evaluation.
The school formally reviews actions arising from whole-school audits. They identify and address emerging priorities.
Crucially, the school measures impact in meaningful ways. They can show the progress learners have made over time.
This might include areas like:
- Skills development
- Motivation
- Awareness of opportunities
- Decision-making
- Confidence
The school uses assessment for learning approaches. They draw on evidence and data to evaluate effectiveness. The school uses Welsh Government school improvement principles to guide them.
Gold schools can clearly show how CWRE supports learners to:
- Reflect on progress
- Consider next steps
- Make informed decisions about future pathways, including post-16 planning
Timescale
The CWQA Gold will take about one academic year to achieve.
Feedback from pilot schools
Schools that took part in the pilot had improvements in CWRE leadership, development and impact, including:
- Stronger strategic planning and leadership of CWRE across schools
- Greater learner voice informing curriculum planning
- Increased engagement from governors, parents, employers, and community stakeholders
- CWRE policies and strategic plans and improved transitions from primary to secondary schools
- Enhanced teacher confidence and professional learning opportunities
- More purposeful employer engagement with authentic, real-world learning experiences
- Improved monitoring, evaluation, and evidence-based decision-making
As a result of doing the CWQA, CWRE is completely embedded in school. We now have whole school CWRE training and it is a focus in our School Improvement Plan. Every single teacher is much more aware of CWRE and that can be seen in classroom displays around the school and is embedded in schemes of work. Increased parental involvement has also been really noticeable as a result of the CWQA.”
Henriette Bertheux, Whitmore High School
The CWQA has provided a cohesion and helped us develop 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.”
Allyson Rogers, Team@Severn EOTAS provision
Apply
Complete the application form to register your interest for the September 2026 intake
More information
When you submit the application you will be sent information about a webinar. The webinar will outline what your school needs to do to achieve CWQA Bronze.
If you have any questions or would like further information, please email us.