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Hatch Consultancy

Talent Yfory (Tomorrow's Talent) is Wales' first Early Careers Access, Impact and Social Value Index, measuring what early careers opportunities actually do to a young person's life. Drawing on insights from 450+ apprentices, graduates, students, and employers across Wales, the research goes beyond salary and employment rates to assess confidence, belonging, purpose, wellbeing, and long-term outlook, translating lived human experience into a recognised measure of social value.

Talent Yfory draws on insights from...

Graduates & Apprentices

Students (HE/FE)

Employers

Across Wales

Key Findings Include:


  • £14,000: the annual social value per apprentice in Wales. More than double the value of a standard entry-level role.
  • £10,000: annual social value per graduate programme participant. The most consistent, supportive, and equitable pathway in the study.
  • Structure matters. Apprenticeships and graduate programmes consistently outperformed entry-level roles.
  • Gender and socioeconomic background shape outcomes significantly. Particularly around stress, anxiety, and access to opportunity.
  • Work experience is one of the strongest drivers of workplace readiness. Yet 40% of placements are unpaid, and access is deeply unequal.
  • Only 11% of employers track socioeconomic background. Despite it being one of the most influential factors in the research.

    • Please note the above figures represent wellbeing social value only (independent of wider economic or fiscal impacts), and may vary across other sectors and apprenticeship types.

    "Your first job is one of life's defining milestones, shaping not just careers, but confidence, identity, and direction. Having supported hundreds of young people into roles across Wales, I created Talent Yfory (Tomorrow's Talent) to explore the real impact of these transitions. Drawing on insights from over 450 participants, the index examines the accessibility, experience, and long-term value of early careers pathways in Wales, moving beyond traditional metrics to assess confidence, purpose, belonging, and wellbeing."


    Jack Taylor ~ Director, Hatch ~ Talent Yfory, Research Lead

    Access The Index For Free

    Register your details below to receive a copy of the Index featuring insights from 450+ students, graduates, apprentices, and employers across Wales.