This is not an exhaustive list but will give you a good idea of the types of businesses that actively encourage opportunities from underrepresented groups.
Remember, more details about what opportunities businesses offer can typically be found in the “Careers” or “Corporate Social Responsibility” sections of their websites, or by reaching out to them directly.
Over a quarter (29%) of graduates in Wales first gained employment through a direct connection to their university or degree course, and 77% of Welsh business leaders say that going to university opened doors into relevant companies for them.
Admiral Group
Admiral Group is a financial services company headquartered in Cardiff with a hybrid working policy, and they are one of the largest employers in Wales. They offer a range of graduate programmes, career development opportunities and apprenticeships for people, with a particular focus on developing digital and technology skills.
admiral.com
Airbus
Airbus is a global leader in aerospace and defence, and they have a significant presence in Wales with operations in Broughton and Newport. They offer a range of graduate programmes and apprenticeships, and other career development opportunities for people in Wales.
airbus.com
Amazon
Amazon has a fulfilment centre in Swansea and offers a range of entry-level roles, apprenticeships, and graduate programmes for people in Wales. They also have a commitment to developing a diverse and inclusive workforce, and they actively seek to attract talent from underrepresented communities.
amazon.com
Association of Higher Education Professionals (AHEP)
Universities in Wales employ 1 in 20 jobs and AUA can help you explore the huge range of roles available in higher education.
ahep.ac.uk
Barclays
Barclays has pledged to provide opportunities to care leavers aged 16-25 through the Care Leaver Covenant.
barclays.co.uk
BBC Cymru Wales
BBC Cymru Wales is the Welsh-language division of the BBC, and they offer a range of internships, graduate programmes and apprenticeships for people in Wales. They also actively seek to attract and develop talent from underrepresented communities.
bbc.com/cymru / BBC Careers
Big Ideas Wales
Big Ideas Wales is a Welsh Government initiative that provides support, mentoring, and funding for young entrepreneurs and business owners in Wales.
businesswales.gov.wales/bigideas
Bluestone National Park Resort
Bluestone National Park Resort is a holiday resort based in Pembrokeshire that offers a range of activities and accommodation for families and groups. They offer a range of work experience placements and apprenticeships, as well as training and development opportunities for staff.
bluestonewales.com
BT
BT is a telecommunications company with operations in Cardiff and Swansea, and they offer a range of internships, graduate programmes and apprenticeships for people in Wales. They also have a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and they actively seek to attract and develop talent from underrepresented groups.
bt.com
Business Wales
Business Wales is a Welsh Government initiative that provides support and advice for businesses in Wales. They offer a range of services, including training, mentoring, and funding opportunities, for businesses at all stages of development.
https://businesswales.gov.wales/
Careers Wales
Careers Wales is a Welsh Government-funded organisation that provides advice and guidance on careers, education, and training in Wales. They offer a range of services, including one-to-one guidance, career events, and online resources.
careerswales.gov.wales
Colegau Cymru
Wales has a thriving further education sector, employing people in a range of roles. The Colegau Cymru website can provide you with a list FE providers so you can start your FE exploration.
colleges.wales/en/page/members
Creative Cardiff
Creative Cardiff is a network that connects people working in the creative industries in Cardiff, Wales. They offer networking events, training opportunities, and other support for people working in creative fields.
creativecardiff.org.uk
Diverse Cymru
Diverse Cymru is a third-sector organisation that supports people from diverse backgrounds in Wales, including those from ethnic minority communities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. They provide a range of services and support, including training and employment opportunities.
diversecymru.org.uk
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
This organisation is recognised for its commitment to employing people from diverse backgrounds, including specific policies to support individuals with disabilities.
dwrcymru.com
EY (Ernst & Young)
EY has established Neurodiversity Centres of Excellence to create employment opportunities for people with neurodiverse conditions.
ey.com
EYST (Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team Wales)
EYST is a third-sector organisation that provides support and opportunities for ethnic minority young people in Wales, including mentoring, training, and employment opportunities.
eyst.org.uk
Ford
Ford has long-standing programmes to increase ethnic minority participation.
ford.com
GE Aviation
GE Aviation has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, and they offer a range of opportunities for people from underrepresented groups, including internships, graduate programmes, and other career development opportunities.
geaviation.com
General Dynamics UK
General Dynamics UK is a leading global defence company, and they offer a range of career development opportunities, including graduate programmes and apprenticeships. They have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, and they actively seek to attract and develop talent from underrepresented groups.
generaldynamics.uk.com
HSBC
HSBC runs various diversity and inclusion initiatives, including a programme for autistic people and those with neurodiverse conditions.
hsbc.com
Intellectual Property Office
The IPO has committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and offers several initiatives to encourage applications from underrepresented groups.
gov.uk/government/organisations/intellectual-property-office
IQE
IQE is a leading global supplier of advanced semiconductor wafers, with operations in Cardiff. They offer a range of opportunities for people from underrepresented groups, including internships, graduate programmes, and other career development opportunities.
iqep.com
ITV Cymru Wales
ITV Cymru Wales is the Welsh division of ITV, and they offer a range of opportunities for people from underrepresented groups, including internships, graduate programmes, and other career development opportunities.
itv.com/wales
JCP Solicitors
JCP Solicitors is a law firm based in South Wales. They offer a range of opportunities for people from underrepresented groups, including internships, graduate programmes, and other career development opportunities.
jcpsolicitors.co.uk
Legal & General
Legal & General has pledged to provide opportunities to care leavers aged 16-25 through the Care Leaver Covenant.
legalandgeneralgroup.com
Maximus
Maximus’ work and health programme Wales helps people learn new skills and find work via a website interface.
whp.maximusuk.co.uk/wales
Merthyr Tydfil Institute for the Blind
Merthyr Tydfil Institute for the Blind is a charity organisation that provides support and services for people with visual impairments in Merthyr Tydfil and the surrounding areas. They offer training, employment support, and social opportunities for visually impaired individuals.
mtib.co.uk
National Centre for Learning Welsh
The National Centre for Learning Welsh is the national organisation responsible for promoting and facilitating the learning of the Welsh language in Wales. They offer a range of courses and resources for learners at all levels, as well as training opportunities for Welsh language tutors and teachers.
learnwelsh.cymru
National Deaf Children’s Society
The National Deaf Children’s Society, the leading charity for deaf children, work with families, children and young people and professional, no matter what their level or type of deafness or how they communicate.
ndcs.org.uk
Prince’s Trust Cymru
The Prince’s Trust Cymru is a Welsh charity that supports people aged 11 to 30 by providing training, mentoring, and financial support to help them develop the skills they need to succeed in their chosen careers.
princes-trust.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/wales
Race Council Cymru
Race Council Cymru is a third-sector organisation that promotes race equality and supports ethnic minority communities in Wales. They offer a range of services, including training, mentoring, and advocacy for individuals and organisations.
racecouncilcymru.org.uk
SAP
SAP run an ‘Autism at Work’ programme, which aims to employ people on the autism spectrum.
sap.com
Social Business Wales
Social Business Wales is a network that provides support and advice for social enterprises in Wales. They offer training, mentoring, and funding opportunities for individuals and organisations looking to start or grow a social enterprise.
businesswales.gov.wales/socialbusinesswales
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is the fire and rescue service covering South Wales. They offer a range of employment opportunities and apprenticeships for people interested in pursuing a career in the fire and rescue sector.
southwales-fire.gov.uk
Techniquest
Techniquest is a science discovery centre in Cardiff that provides interactive science exhibitions, workshops, and events. They offer a range of programmes and activities, including science clubs and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programmes, to inspire careers in science and technology.
techniquest.org
The Civil Service (UK)
The Civil Service offers a Summer Diversity Internship Programme for students from diverse backgrounds, providing an insight into the broad range of opportunities available across the Civil Service.
faststream.gov.uk
The Wallich
The Wallich is a Welsh homelessness charity that provides support and accommodation for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. They offer a range of support services, including employment and training opportunities, for people looking to rebuild their lives.
thewallich.com
Universities Wales
Did you know 1 in 20 jobs in Wales are in a university, providing a huge range of job opportunities in many areas.
uniswales.ac.uk/universities
Urdd Gobaith Cymru
Urdd Gobaith Cymru is a Welsh-language youth organisation that provides a range of activities, events, and opportunities for young people to develop their skills and participate in Welsh culture and language. They offer a range of programmes and support for young people in Wales.
urdd.cymru
Venture Wales
Venture Wales is a website that links up employers and people looking to advance their careers in the Cardiff Capital Region.
venturewales.org
Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA)
The WCVA is the national membership organisation for the voluntary sector in Wales and a good place to start if you are thinking of working in the third sector in Wales. They offer a range of support services, including training, mentoring, and funding opportunities, for individuals and organisations involved in the voluntary sector.
wcva.cymru
Wales Millennium Centre
Wales Millennium Centre is an arts and cultural venue in Cardiff Bay. They offer a range of employment and volunteer opportunities, as well as training and development programmes, in various areas of the arts and creative industries.
wmc.org.uk
Wales TUC
The Wales TUC is the umbrella organisation for trade unions in Wales and provides a range of support and services including apprenticeships, training, and career development opportunities.
wcva.org.uk
Women’s Equality Network Wales
The Women’s Equality Network Wales is a Welsh charity that promotes gender equality and women’s rights in Wales. They offer a range of services, including training, mentoring, and support for women in the workplace.
wenwales.org.uk
Working Wales
Working Wales is a Welsh Government initiative that provides advice, training, and employment support in Wales. They offer a range of services, including career guidance, job matching, and training opportunities.
workingwales.gov.wales
Youth Cymru
Youth Cymru is a national youth work organisation that provides support and opportunities for young people in Wales. They offer training, mentoring, and leadership development opportunities, as well as support for youth groups and organisations.
youthcymru.org.uk
Youth Cymru LGBTQ+ Youth Project
The Youth Cymru LGBTQ+ Youth Project provides support and opportunities for LGBTQ+ young people in Wales. They offer a range of services, including training, mentoring, and social events, to help young people build confidence and develop their skills.
youthcymru.org.uk
Case Study
The Open University in Wales
Emily, a BA (Hons) International Studies student at The Open University in Wales, engaged with the employability support team in 2020. With dyscalculia, a neurodiverse condition, Emily faced challenges in in certain learning settings, leading her to choose remote study. Despite these challenges, she was determined to enhance her employability.
With the guidance of her Employability Advisor, Ros, Emily identified her strengths using the ‘Value My Skills’ tool. Despite her initial reservations due to her condition and rural location, she secured a work experience placement with the Welsh Centre for International Affairs (WCIA) in Cardiff. This placement allowed her to contribute to international development events and network with professionals, building her confidence.
Post-placement, Emily secured a part-time marketing role with ‘The Wilderness Project’ and later transitioned to a full-time Marketing Coordinator position. Reflecting on her journey, Emily credits the employability programme for her newfound confidence and ability to articulate her experiences to senior stakeholders.
“The employability programme has been invaluable. Ros’s support was instrumental in my growth. I highly recommend it.”
What you bring to the workplace
Diversity, equity and inclusion
