A new ADR Wales Data Insight has looked at the educational attainment and backgrounds of young people in Wales who are most likely to receive careers advice and guidance after finishing compulsory education.
The study, conducted by researchers from the ADR Wales Skills and Employability research team, followed a cohort of pupils who completed Key Stage 4 (KS4) in 2015-16 and tracked their interactions with Careers Wales over the next two years.
The team found that attainment at GCSE, their socio-economic background, and prior contact with Careers Wales during KS4 were key factors that shaped whether young adults received careers support during post-compulsory education and training.
The analysis shows that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds were more likely to receive careers advice and guidance between the ages of 16 and 18 than those not from disadvantaged backgrounds.
This included those eligible for free school meals, those from households where parents had never worked, pupils with higher levels of special educational needs, as well as those with lower GCSE attainment or higher absenteeism.
Crucially, pupils who had already engaged with Careers Wales during KS4 were significantly more likely to receive further support later on, an effect that could not be explained by other characteristics.
The findings underline why early and sustained careers guidance matters, particularly in Wales, where rates of young people not in education, employment or training remain comparatively high. By building relationships with pupils before they leave compulsory education, Careers Wales can provide more continuous and tailored support as young people navigate increasingly complex education and work pathways.