GO Wales idea embraced by Carmarthenshire business

A leading Carmarthenshire business is helping to pave the way in building links with education.
Chartered accountants and business consultants Clay Shaw Butler have signed up for the innovative GO Wales project, which makes it possible for students and graduates to develop their careers through quality work experience and training opportunities.
“GO Wales is an exciting project and one which should interest any business keen to develop young talent,” said Clay Shaw Butler director David Butler.
This summer, the team at Clay Shaw Butler has been joined by 19-year-old Gareth Thomas (pictured above), who lives in Carmarthen and studied at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin.
The 12-week placement is a big stepping stone for Gareth to going to Cardiff University to study Business Management and Finance.
“I am interested in a career in business and finance, so the GO Wales placement with Clay Shaw Butler has been ideal. It has given me a taste of the ‘real world’ work environment and the encouragement to go on and achieve my degree,” Gareth said.
A keen sportsman who plays cricket for Carmarthen Wanderers Cricket Club’s first XI and is also a member of Carmarthen Golf Club, Gareth has enjoyed working alongside Clay Shaw Butler’s business consultant, Nigel Roberts.
Gareth added: “I have carried out a wide range of duties during my stay at Clay Shaw Butler and I have also been working towards the City & Guilds Professional Development Award. This award is an accredited, professionally-recognised qualification that is equivalent to a Higher Professional Diploma.”
Mr Roberts said: “It has been a delight to have Gareth as part of the team at Clay Shaw Butler during his placement. All businesses are aware of the need to build our skills base and ensure that we grow the knowledge economy in Wales. The GO Wales scheme is one way of helping to achieve those objectives.”
GO Wales is managed by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) and the project is delivered by University Careers Services in Wales. GO Wales receives funding from the Welsh Government and the European Union Social Fund (ESF).
The project aims to provide almost 4,000 students and graduates with training and development opportunities to prepare them for their future careers.
GO Wales offers a range of services proven to help students, graduates and businesses in Wales including: work placements, funding for training, an online database of jobs in Wales and the Graduate Academy.
Thousands of businesses in Wales have already benefited from the GO Wales programme.
GO Wales projects include -
• Graduate Training and Development: GO Wales Graduate Training and Development Fund offers financial support for training and development of graduate level staff in Welsh SMEs. You may be able to access up to £1,500 per person to up-skill your business.
• Work Placements: GO Wales Work Placements give you the opportunity to attract the best students and graduates to your business. Employ a skilled individual to work on a short term project and receive a subsidy towards the salary costs.
• Advertise a Job: GO Wales Jobs is the only free website in Wales dedicated to graduate recruitment. Businesses and other organisations in Wales can advertise an unlimited number of vacancies via our online vacancy advertising service.
• Work Tasters: GO Wales Work Tasters are extremely flexible and designed to provide students and new graduates with a 'taste' of a particular career or working environment.
You can find out more on the GO Wales website –
http://www.gowales.co.uk
The Clay Shaw Butler website is at –
http://www.clayshawbutler.com