Caerphilly Senedd Member Pushes First Minister for Welsh Government Position on Supported Employment

Dr. Hefin David MS, Senedd Member for Caerphilly, pressed the First Minister in the Senedd on Tuesday regarding the Welsh Government’s vision for job coaching and supported employment. His question comes at a crucial time, as Engage to Change—a pioneering project supporting young people with learning disabilities, learning difficulties, and/or autism—is set to close at the end of this month.

Since its inception in 2016, Engage to Change has played a pivotal role in helping individuals aged 16-25 across Wales achieve their employment potential. The initiative, a partnership between Learning Disability Wales and researchers from the National Centre for Mental Health at Cardiff University, has been instrumental in providing supported employment opportunities, including job coaching and internships. Over the years, the program has worked with more than 1,300 young people and around 800 employers, demonstrating the significant demand for specialized employment support.

One of Engage to Change’s most notable achievements is its remarkable 41% success rate in securing employment for participants—far exceeding the national UK average of 4.8%. These results, acknowledged by First Minister Eluned Morgan as “staggering,” highlight the profound impact of tailored job coaching and structured employment support.

In response to Dr. David’s question, the First Minister confirmed that specialist job coaching services will be incorporated into the new Welsh Government Employability Support Programme from 2027. She emphasised that the success of Engage to Change will serve as a cornerstone for shaping future employment policies and practices in Wales.

Reacting to this commitment, Dr. Hefin David expressed his enthusiasm, stating: “I have worked on this with Engage to Change for some time now. I’ve seen the impact this has made first-hand, and I am absolutely thrilled that their hard work will continue to leave its mark on employment policy going forward. What a wonderful way to end such a special project and secure a much-deserved legacy in Wales.”

The announcement has been met with widespread support, particularly from those who have benefited from the initiative and the many organisations that have partnered with Engage to Change. The project’s success in advocating for a National Job Coaching Strategy reinforces the need for continued investment in employment support for individuals with learning disabilities and autism.

With the Welsh Government’s commitment to embedding specialist job coaching services into future employment policies, the legacy of Engage to Change will live on, ensuring that young people across Wales continue to receive the support they need to succeed in the workforce.

You can watch the statement from the First Minister, Eluned Morgan MS here: https://youtu.be/viotlQTySWw?si=rTjkx6UXX-JbybhO