A county-wide career choices day was held on Friday for all pupils in Year 11 in secondary school and alternative centres in Pembrokeshire - plus young people who are home-schooled in the county.

Some 1,200 young people were invited to the annual event, which aimed to allow them to explore some of the opportunities available following their GCSEs and gain an insight into the sort of career they might like to have.

Pupils spoke to a wide range of post-16 education and training advisors, plus many local and national employers.

Nearly 40 organisations and businesses were represented, including Pembrokeshire College, Careers Wales, Milford Haven Port Authority, TYF, Hywel Dda, the Armed Forces, various services within Pembrokeshire County Council and many more.

The event was a joint initiative between Pembrokeshire County Council and local businesses and took place at Pembrokeshire Archives in Prendergast, Haverfordwest.

Clr. David Lloyd, cabinet member for education, said the event was extremely rewarding and that feedback from students was very positive.

“For the first time, post 16 education and training providers, employers and all organisations concerned with the provision of advice and guidance to Pembrokeshire students on pathways into further education, training and work, congregated under one roof,” he said.

“The event was highly-organised and the commitment from the presenting organisations was outstanding. I offer my sincere congratulations to all concerned.

“From talking with many of the students attending, I know that they greatly valued the experience.”

Clr. Lloyd added that, in his role as cabinet member for education, he wants to develop the monitoring and tracking of students from an early age on their aptitudes, preferences and ambitions with regard to the planning of their future careers.

“I want to be sure that where possible we are putting round pegs into round holes,” he said. “In short my ambition is to eliminate the cohort of ‘NEETS’ that we turn out each year for want of the appropriate advice and guidance being made available to each student at all stages of their statutory education.

“By working closely with the thirty eight organisations who participated in the Year 11 Choices event I believe this is possible. The prize for success would be enormous.”

A Facebook group called ‘Year 11 Choices’ has been set up for local young people in Year 11 who want to receive news on developments and opportunities on their career choices.