Education
Future Jobs Wales expands with new career insights

CAREERS Wales has launched updates to its Future Jobs Wales resource, expanding its real-time job market data to include nine new sectors.
The online tool provides up-to-date labour market information (LMI) for industries and regions across Wales, helping individuals make informed career decisions.
Through an interactive webpage, users can explore industry trends, in-demand skills, and key employers. The platform also allows users to compare job market data at local, Welsh, and UK levels.
The newly added sectors include:
- Digital
- Care
- Creative arts, media and culture
- Retail and customer service
- Manufacturing
- Education
- Agriculture and land
- Tourism, hospitality, sport and leisure
- Public services
Users can access insights such as:
- Industry growth or decline projections
- Employment figures within each sector
- Salary expectations
- Jobs currently in demand and future projections
- Skills required for different roles
Emma Blandon, head of digital and communications at Careers Wales, said: “We’re thrilled to have further expanded our Future Jobs Wales resource.
“Information around job trends and future demand can be hugely empowering for those planning their next steps. By delivering up-to-date LMI, this tool helps individuals make informed decisions, identify opportunities, and navigate the evolving job market with confidence.
“Whether you’re starting your career, looking to upskill, or planning your next move, this resource is an invaluable asset for building a brighter future.”
For more information or to access Future Jobs Wales, visit the Careers Wales website.
Education
Council announces nursery place application deadline

PARENTS and guardians of children in Pembrokeshire born between 01/09/2022 – 31/08/2023 are invited to apply for a Nursery school place for January, April and September 2026 by the closing date of 30th April 2025.
Applications received after 30th April 2025 will be considered late which may have a bearing on whether the child gets a place at your preferred school.
It is important to note that no school place will be allocated unless a formal application is received.
The online application form can be found on the Pembrokeshire County Council website: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning under ‘Apply for a School Place’.
For information on which term your child would be due to join nursery, please follow this link to our Information to Parents which sets out the terms based on your child’s date of birth and which school you are applying to.
There is no need to re-apply if you have already submitted an application form. You can view your current applications by logging into your My Account and into the ‘Schools & Learning’ ‘School Admissions & Transport’ section.
Parents/guardians are reminded that attending a Nursery at a school does not guarantee a Primary place (to start in September 2027) and a separate application does need to be submitted for this. This application can be submitted at the same time as your Nursery application.
Parents/guardians will be notified of Nursery places by 31st July 2025.
Education
Funding boost fails to prevent deep cuts at Welsh universities

DESPITE a third round of financial support from the Welsh Government, universities across Wales continue to face significant job losses and course closures, prompting criticism from opposition leaders.
The Welsh Labour Government has announced an additional £19 million funding package for higher education, with £18.5 million directed at institutional challenges and £500,000 allocated for international student recruitment. This follows an earlier increase in the tuition fee cap, projected to generate up to £21.9 million in additional income next year, and an extra £10 million allocated last autumn.
However, the new funding has not been enough to prevent deep financial crises at some of Wales’ largest universities. Cardiff University has confirmed 400 job cuts—7% of its workforce—and plans to close multiple degree programs, including nursing, music, ancient history, and modern languages, due to a £31.2 million funding shortfall.
The news led to a protest on the steps of The Senedd earlier this month where hundreds came out against the plans.
Swansea University has extended its savings plan by £30 million, with further staff departures expected after 342 job losses in the past 18 months. Meanwhile, the University of South Wales is bracing for significant staff reductions and course closures, with a projected £20 million deficit.
The financial pressures stem from declining international student enrollment, rising costs, and recent visa rule changes affecting postgraduate admissions. Despite the Welsh Government’s financial interventions, Higher Education Minister Vikki Howells stated that no additional emergency funding will be provided, instead placing responsibility on universities to manage their budgets effectively.
The response has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Jane Dodds MS, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, accused Labour of failing to protect Welsh education: “Under Labour, we are seeing the hollowing out of Welsh educational and research institutions. Labour’s increase in national insurance contributions will have only exacerbated the financial situation being faced by our universities. We urgently need to see a review into higher education and research funding in Wales.”
Labour, however, maintains that its funding increases are a response to years of underfunding by the UK Conservative Government. In a statement, Vikki Howells defended the government’s approach: “Universities across Wales are anchor institutions in our economy, our communities, and our culture. This funding will contribute to the longer-term sustainability of universities and ensure that this Welsh Labour Government provides opportunities for students today and in the future.”
While Labour insists that it is doing what it can within its budget, critics argue that the current level of support is insufficient to prevent job losses and course closures, raising calls for a full-scale review of higher education funding. With no immediate relief in sight, university staff and students face an uncertain future in a sector under increasing financial strain.
Pictured above: Protesters on the steps of the Senedd campaigning over potential job losses at Cardiff University earlier this month (Image: supplied)
Education
Special meeting on Pembrokeshire school catchment areas

A SPECIAL meeting is to be held to re-visit a decision by senior Pembrokeshire councillors to maintain school catchment areas for Johnston, Neyland and Tiers Cross, despite significant community opposition.
Due to a change in catchment areas the pupils are no longer able to access free transport to Haverfordwest high school, instead coming under the Milford Haven catchment area.
Two petitions calling for the reinstatement of the former catchment areas to access free transport for pupils to Haverfordwest were started in the county last year, effectively reverting to the position that was in place prior to the reorganisation of secondary education provision in Haverfordwest in 2018.
At the February meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members backed a recommendation to maintain the current situation.
Since that meeting of February 10, a ‘call-in’ on the decision was successfully made by Welsh Conservative councillors Aled Thomas and Claire George, who represent the Johnston and St Ishmaels wards, backed by the entire Welsh Conservative group on the council.
A special extraordinary Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny committee is expected to be held later this month, when the ‘call-in’ will be considered.
Cllr Aled Thomas said: “Thanks to the support of my fellow Pembrokeshire Conservative councillors, we have been able to continue the discussions on this important matter, while the current administration is only concerned with kicking it into the long grass.
“Strong and safe education is the ‘silver bullet’ in making sure our next generation thrives, both when at school age and beyond.
“Boundary changes were forced on Johnston’s residents against their will, and I will do everything I can to fight for my residents’ best interests.”
Cllr Claire George said: “It is a fundamental principle of education that children should feel safe and develop their independence, which means access to appropriate school transport – something which is not workable under the current school catchment area arrangements for my ward.”
“We must ensure that our children are able to travel to and from the school of their choice confidently and safely, giving them the opportunity to flourish in their education.”
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