Education

Emerging career opportunities for Gen-Z in Wales’ evolving job market

Published

1 year ago

March 13, 2025

Certain regions like Wales hold strong promises for sustainable careers. This is because as technology evolves, so too does the job market. Today, Gen Zs looking for stable and rewarding careers can find opportunities in different emerging fields.

Emerging job opportunities in healthcare

Healthcare is one area that still presents lots of opportunities for Gen Z, despite a rapidly changing job climate and ever-evolving AI technologies. From traditional roles like nurses to more modern, tech-driven positions, the list is endless. Here are some of the more popular opportunities.

Pharmacist

The roles of pharmacists in any nation, city, or neighbourhood are still relevant today. These individuals are needed everywhere because they work hand in hand with healthcare professionals like doctors to help patients. Wales offers many opportunities for Gen Z individuals, as they could work in both independent and community pharmacies, hospitals, or even academic research institutions.

Nurse

The roles of nurses range from providing medical support to caring for patients. Nursing roles in Wales are abundant, as private healthcare providers, public hospitals, and educational institutions are ready to accept nurses. Typically, academic training and certification are necessary to become a full-fledged nurse in Wales.

Nurses in Wales earn between £30,000 and £50,000 per year, with most opting for hourly rate pay.

Biotech and pharmaceutical research

Imagine being the mastermind behind the world’s next revolutionary medicine. Such is the potential of young scholars and researchers in biotech and pharmaceutical research in Wales.

Wales has a growing biotech industry, with several internationally recognised research facilities. Even the academia for this industry is world class. So, it’s easy to see how Gen Zs can easily pursue and obtain a successful career in this field.

Therapist

Gen Zs can also explore careers in therapy, including physical therapy, speech therapy, and psychological therapy. These roles offer meaningful opportunities to make a positive impact on people’s lives and demand a human touch that can’t be easily replaced by AI.

However, the steep learning curve and medical certification involved drive most Gen Zs to other less demanding career paths.

Emerging job opportunities in data and technology

Wales offers many opportunities in this field thanks to the never-ending innovations in data and technology.

Data analyst

Data analysts are among the major, high-demand remote careers in Wales. This community of multiple industries and businesses presents a huge need for these experts. Usually, all a person needs to enter this career path is mastery of data analysis tools like SQL, Excel, Python, and Power Bl.

However, a degree in related fields like mathematics, statistics, and ICT technology can also be a plus, especially when seeking opportunities in top-tier private organisations like BAIN&COMPANY.

Gaming

The gaming industry has evolved from mere entertainment to a massive income generator. The BBC reports that there are about 100 gaming companies in Wales, and more than 35,000 people are employed in creative industries.

Generally, opportunities like gaming content creation have proven very lucrative for Gen Zs, thanks to platforms like Twitch and YouTube, which allow gamers to monetise their gameplay.

However, in Wales, more profitable opportunities exist, like Esports and game development. Numerous startups in Wales work on developing next-generation video games, providing surplus job roles from game testers to programmers, artists, designers, and so on. And then there’s ESports or competitive gaming, where Welsh pro gamers can participate and win massive cash prizes.

Software developer

A software developer designs and maintains software apps. According to sources, software developers make around £38,611 per year in Wales.

In Wales, there are multiple tech companies and startups ready to employ these developers. There are also opportunities in sectors like public health and e-government. Furthermore, software developers in Wales can work remotely for companies at home and abroad or sell their services as freelancers.

Emerging job opportunities in blockchain and defi

Here are some of the emerging job opportunities that Gen Zs in Wales are seizing daily.

Crypto Trader

A modern-day tech skill that Gen Zs have successfully developed a career in is crypto trading. Crypto assets are new but exciting and have made many young people millionaires in this decade.

Investors do not need a certificate or degree before venturing into this financial market but will need to take courses to maximise their profits fully.

Influencer/brand ambassador

A fairly quick and easy career for Gen Zs to enter into is social media influencing and brand ambassadorship. Thanks to social media and the internet, Gen Zs with a strong social media presence in Wales can partner with both local and foreign brands for deals and partnerships. These deals are easy to find in the blockchain world (crypto, NFTs, etc.), as startups need such young influencers to bring visibility to their brands/products.

Although this career path isn’t traditional, it can be very lucrative. According to reports, influencers earn over £50,000 per year on average. Meanwhile, mega influencers can easily rake in millions per year from brand deals and sponsorships.

A bright future for Gen Z in Wales

There’s a strong job market in Wales for Gen Zs of all ages. Young professionals can build future-proof careers in any of the mentioned paths in this article. More importantly, opportunities exist for individuals seeking remote and hybrid roles.

Education

Welsh-medium provision to be expanded in some urban areas of Carmarthenshire

Published

14 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CYMDEITHAS YR LAITH has welcomed Carmarthenshire County Council’s decision to expand Welsh-medium education provision in some of the county’s urban areas.

The Council’s Education, Young People and Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee approved a recommendation to consult on making a regulated change to Welsh-language provision in the following primary schools: Ysgol Bro Banw, Ysgol Griffith Jones, Ysgol Llangynnwr, and Ysgol Llandybie. The decision will go before the Cabinet on Monday (29/06/2026) for final approval.

A spokesperson for Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s Carmarthenshire Region said: “We are very pleased that the Council intends to expand Welsh-medium education provision in these schools, moving closer to the goal of ensuring that no pupil is deprived of the ability to work and communicate confidently in both languages.

“We particularly welcome the changes at the large urban school, Ysgol Bro Banw. However, we seek clarification regarding the decision to introduce bilingual provision at the school, rather than converting it into a fully Welsh-medium school. Research shows that Welsh-medium education is the only way to ensure bilingualism among young people.

“It is worth noting that there are seven bilingual primary schools in the county, in addition to those mentioned in the report, and several of these provide only Welsh-medium education during the Foundation Phase. We therefore encourage the Council to continue the work of converting all these bilingual schools into Welsh-medium schools and to address gaps in Welsh-medium education provision in areas such as the south-west of the county and the town of Carmarthen as well.

“At the same time, we are disappointed that the Council is removing Welsh-medium education from our rural communities. Although they are increasing capacity in St Clears, they are simultaneously losing Welsh-medium capacity in the area through their plans to close Ysgol Meidrim. We therefore call for a new and sustainable strategy for rural education.”

The spokesperson added: “We look forward to the Council’s next announcement, when the names of four additional schools will be revealed. Nevertheless, it is disappointing that we have to wait until the autumn for that announcement. We respectfully ask the Council to accelerate the process in order to prevent the ongoing injustice whereby pupils are being deprived of the ability to communicate and work in Welsh as well as English.”

Education

Milford Haven School issues heatwave update as temperatures soar

Published

15 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL has thanked pupils and staff for the way they have supported one another during the current heatwave.

The school said cooperation and care across the school community had been greatly appreciated.

With tomorrow (Jun 25) forecast to be the hottest day of the current spell, pupils are being asked to come prepared by bringing plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, and staying as protected from the sun as possible.

Pupils will also be permitted to wear their PE kit to help keep cool.

The school said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary steps to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff.

Education

School leaders welcome cash boost but warn ALN pupils have been overlooked

Published

1 day ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Union says Welsh Government has funded repairs, meals and swimming lessons but failed to address one of the biggest pressures facing schools

SCHOOL leaders have welcomed extra Welsh Government funding for repairs, free school meals and swimming lessons — but warned that pupils with additional learning needs have been overlooked.

The criticism came after the Welsh Government set out its supplementary budget for 2026-27, including £40m for school buildings and repairs, £15m to expand free school meals in secondary schools, and £2m for swimming lessons.

Laura Doel, national secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, said the extra capital funding for school buildings was welcome and would “go some way to plugging the gap”.

She also welcomed the expansion of free school meals, saying no child should go hungry because of their parents’ financial circumstances.

But Ms Doel said the “significant omission” was the lack of additional funding for ALN provision.

She said: “It beggars belief that of money that has come to Wales thanks to investment into additional needs in England, not a penny has gone to support pupils with ALN in Wales.

“We have seen local authorities, directors of education and the profession united on the need for significant investment in supporting our most vulnerable learners, but this government has chosen to ignore the pleas for support.

“It calls into question whether education is a key priority for this government.”

ALN pressure

Additional learning needs provision has become one of the major pressures facing schools and councils across Wales, with rising demand for specialist support, assessments, staffing and placements.

School leaders argue that without dedicated funding, already stretched school budgets are being forced to absorb costs which can affect support for both ALN pupils and the wider school community.

The Welsh Government says the supplementary budget is designed to support key priorities, including public services, schools, health and the cost of living.

But NAHT Cymru said the absence of new ALN money was difficult to justify at a time when schools are repeatedly warning that vulnerable learners need more support.

The Herald has asked the Welsh Government how much of the school buildings funding will come to west Wales and why no specific additional allocation has been made for ALN provision.