Twenty-six schools and colleges from across Wales have been honoured at the annual Careers Wales Quality Award ceremony, which is organised to recognise excellence in the provision of careers education and guidance, as well as work-related education.
Established in 2004, the Careers Wales Quality Award is at the centre of Careers Wales' drive for higher standards in relation to all forms of careers education and guidance and work related learning, within any institution that caters for students between the ages of 14-19 years old. This includes secondary schools, further education colleges, special schools and off-site units.
Trained assessors grade the institutions concerned on both management and delivery of careers services, as well as their willingness to continue to modernise their approach and encourage individuals to embrace broader lifestyle-related issues in relation to career/education choices.
Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning and Skills, Jane Davidson, who, as guest of honour, presented awards to the successful organisations, said she was pleased that quality in careers advice and guidance was being recognised in this way.
"It is wonderful to once again attend the Quality Awards presentation event which I hold in such high regard. The Award is a driver of high-quality careers and work-related education that is so important in helping young people to develop the skills they will need to meet the challenges of adult life."
Lesley Rees, Executive Director of Careers Wales, commented: "The principle aim of the Careers Wales Quality Award is to help to ensure that all young people in Wales are afforded an equal entitlement to the highest standard of careers guidance and work-related learning, as well as acting as a mechanism for supporting a continued improvement in standards.
"All those recognised at the ceremony are working to a very high standard and this is very much a celebration of the great work they're undertaking in this field. I'd like to congratulate all those honoured and extend our thanks to the Minister for taking time out of her busy schedule to lend her support." | 
