Twenty-two year-old Maya McGinley was referred into the ESF project CAM NESA with Pembrokeshire County Council on February 12, 2021 for advice, guidance and support into either education, training or employment.

Maya engaged with the Youth Service to help identify different progression routes via an online platform weekly to discuss her options, looking at employment as well as higher education.

Maya was keen to get into University to study a degree in Psychology and Criminology but had never thought that this would be an option for her.

However, after consultation with her Youth Workers, Maya applied to a number of universities including Bristol, Carmarthen and Cardiff as well as looking at her options with the Open University.

Whilst Maya and her Youth Workers were waiting to hear back from the universities, she was supported in her employability skills from the service, and undertook a number of applications to local employers who were recruiting in her area.

After only four sessions with the Youth Service, Maya heard back from an employer and after a successful interview was invited to start employment with them the following week, starting on March 18, 2021.

“Cam Nesa has really helped me with my confidence and set me on the right path of what I want to achieve as well as helping me gain local employment by helping me understand how to correctly write job applications,” she said.

“If any other young person is in need of support, whether its confidence building, getting into employment or higher education then I would strongly recommend them.”

Youth Worker Fran Wisby added: “Maya was a pleasure to work with. She showed gratitude, was always polite and acknowledged the advice and feedback of her applications for improvement, resulting in Maya gaining her own employment. I’m so pleased to have supported such an exceptional young person.”

Cam Nesa is a £5.7million project supported by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, which works with 16 to 25 year old in West Wales by providing them with a range of tailored personal support and work-related opportunities.

The project is led by Pembrokeshire County Council and delivered in partnership with fellow local authorities.

For more details on Cam Nesa, please phone 01437 775845.