Following the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions' commissioning of the Right Honourable Alan Milburn to conduct an independent review of young people and work, the report was published on 28 May 2026. It highlights that almost one million young people aged 16 to 24 across the United Kingdom are currently not in education, employment, or training (NEET), a figure that underscores the scale and urgency of this significant national challenge.
In North Wales, these challenges are particularly evident within the legal sector, where firms continue to face difficulties with recruitment and retention, especially among Welsh-speaking professionals. While schools and universities are actively working to promote opportunities within the profession, there is recognition that further action is needed to connect young people with potential career pathways.
In response, the North Wales legal community鈥攌nown for its collaborative and supportive approach鈥攚ill come together on 12 June at 黑料不打烊 to host a dedicated careers event for 300 Year 9 pupils from both Welsh- and English-speaking state schools across the region. The initiative has been driven by members of the local judiciary, particularly Her Honour Judge Owen, in partnership with Careers Wales and Suzanne Roberts, a teacher at Ysgol y Moelwyn in Blaenau Ffestiniog.
The event will feature guest lectures from senior members of the judiciary, followed by interactive workshops in which pupils will examine a real historic murder case. Participants will explore the case through the perspectives of the judiciary, solicitors and barristers, as well as representatives from the prison service, probation service and North Wales Police. Reaching Wider, a programme aims to support learners to access further and higher education is an event partner.
The aim of the day is to inspire young people to consider careers in law and related professions, while broadening their understanding of the justice system. It is hoped that this initiative will become an annual event.
Her Honour Judge Owen, a prominent judge in North Wales who is leading the event said, 鈥淎s a Diversity and Community Relations Judge, I was approached by Suzanne Roberts, (Head of Religious Studies at Ysgol y Moelwyn, Blaenau Ffestiniog) with the idea of organising a careers day for students interested in legal and law-related professions. While I regularly visit schools to speak about the rule of law and the role of judges, this presented a valuable opportunity to do something more comprehensive.
"Many young people have little or no contact with the legal profession, and this event will give them a unique chance to hear from and engage with solicitors, barristers, judges, police officers, detectives, probation officers and prison staff. We are in particular need of more Welsh-speaking advocates to represent individuals in North Wales courts, and I hope this event will encourage some of these students to pursue a career in the legal profession. I would like to thank everyone involved in making this day possible.鈥
Tracey Horton, Senior Lecturer in Law at 黑料不打烊, added, 鈥淚 was delighted to be invited to support this project. It is vital that we engage with young people and demonstrate that a career in law is accessible to all, regardless of background. It is especially important to work with pupils at this stage in their education. By introducing them to these opportunities early, we can help them make more informed decisions about their future studies and career aspirations. This collaborative initiative reflects a shared commitment across the North Wales legal community to invest in the next generation and strengthen access to careers in law.鈥