Jacqui Gower and JCP Solicitors have a longstanding partnership with Careers Wales. They have supported careers learning for hundreds of pupils in Swansea.
They’ve built partnerships with local schools, Birchgrove Comprehensive and Pontardulais Comprehensive. Jacqui is HR Director. She organises careers activities designed around specific school needs.
School Valued Partners
Jacqui and the firm have taken another step to support careers learning. They signed up as School Valued Partners for both Birchgrove and Pontardulais schools.
Jacqui is always looking for ways to develop activities and make the links between the business and the schools stronger.
Examples of activities include:
- An employability skills package
- Mock interviews and feedback sessions
- Sessions on how to apply topics like religious studies within the law industry
- Assembly talks
- CV and application workshops
Providing a personal touch
Jacqui also provides a more personal input. She has signed up to the Careers Wales’ alumni project. As part of this, Jacqui provides careers support to pupils at her old school. She recorded a vlog of her career journey.
Jacqui has also delivered a focus session to help pupils understand unconscious bias. The session was well-received by pupils and teachers.
Winning an award
Careers Wales presented Jacqui with an award in November 2022.
She was awarded The Outstanding Contribution from an Individual Award. This recognised her personal input in supporting careers learning. Jacqui said: “It feels amazing to win the award.
“I work with schools as part of my HR role. It’s my job to look at future skills shortages and the talent pipeline.
“I also just like going to meet with the students and seeing the fantastic students that we have in Wales.
“I find students often think that the only route to work in a law firm is to go to university and do postgrad. But there are loads of different routes in. I love going out to schools and telling them about the different roles they can have in a law firm and how they can get there.”
Careers Wales business engagement adviser, Andrea John, works with Jacqui. Andrea said: “I am delighted to see Jacqui receive this award.
“Jacqui always goes above and beyond. She is passionate about making a positive impact.
“As a valued partner of Careers Wales, Jacqui deserves every recognition. We are so thankful for her commitment to supporting young people.”