9/06/2026
Senior employability professionals gathered in Cardiff recently for IEP Talks Live, where discussions focused on some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing Wales’ employability landscape.
Following the daytime IEP Talks Live event, delegates came together for the IEP Talks Live Networking Dinner, sponsored by Elevate Employment Services. The evening provided an opportunity for leaders, practitioners, Fellows and aspiring Fellows from across the sector to continue the conversation in an informal setting, build professional connections and reflect on the themes explored throughout the day.
Speaking at the Networking Dinner, Ian Ross FIEP, Chief Executive Officer of Elevate Employment Services, reflected on what he described as a significant period for Wales following the recent Senedd election and the formation of a new Welsh Government.
Ian highlighted the importance of ensuring that employability remains at the heart of conversations around economic growth and public policy. He emphasised the role that frontline providers can play in informing decision-makers through evidence gathered directly from the communities they serve.
Addressing delegates, Ian spoke about the importance of combining policy ambition with practical delivery, sharing examples from Elevate Employment Services’ work across Wales.
Among the outcomes highlighted was the organisation’s delivery of the DWP Restart programme, through which more than 1,600 long-term unemployed people have been supported, with around 40 per cent progressing into employment.
Ian also drew attention to the growing importance of supporting people facing health-related barriers to work. He referenced Elevate’s Working on Wellbeing service in Swansea, which helps individuals move closer to employment and achieves an 85 per cent completion rate.
A significant focus of Ian’s remarks was the challenge of supporting young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). He highlighted the Jobs Growth Wales+ programme delivered in partnership with ITEC in Merthyr Tydfil, which supports 16 to 19-year-olds and achieves positive progression outcomes of more than 90 per cent.
The programme was cited as an example of how locally delivered, partnership-based services can create meaningful opportunities for young people while supporting wider economic and social outcomes.
Throughout his address, Ian emphasised the importance of approaches that are rooted in local communities and designed around individual needs. He described Elevate’s work as being focused on person-centred, trauma-informed support that is driven by evidence and shaped by the experiences of participants.
His remarks resonated strongly with the themes of the evening, which centred on how the employability sector can continue to respond to changing economic conditions, evolving policy priorities and the diverse needs of individuals seeking support.
The Cardiff Networking Dinner provided an opportunity for delegates to continue these conversations, share perspectives and strengthen professional connections across Wales and the wider employability sector.
The Institute of Employability Professionals would like to thank Ian Ross FIEP and Elevate Employment Services for sponsoring the Dinner in Cardiff and for contributing to an important discussion about the future of employability support in Wales.
The event formed part of the IEP’s ongoing programme of regional networking and knowledge-sharing events, bringing together professionals from across the to explore current challenges, share effective practice and strengthen the employability profession.
The next opportunity to continue these conversations will be at the North West & North Wales Talks Live, followed by IEP Fellows Networking Dinner on 17th September, where practitioners and leaders will once again come together to discuss the issues shaping the future of employability support.
Stay tuned for more details and booking info in EP.