We want to support new arrivals to rebuild their lives in Wales. Being able to find a job is an important part of this process. Not everyone will have the right to work in the United Kingdom. The UK Government decides who is allowed to work in Wales. Before you can work you will need to have been given the right to work and be given a National Insurance Number.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you should still have the right to volunteer with a charity, a Council or other government department. You can find out more about volunteering at the Volunteering Wales website.
This section of the website explains who has the right to work and where help can be found.
If you have come to the UK under the ARAP or ACRS schemes or are a resettled refugee you will have the right to work.
Looking for work
There are several ways to look for work. Job opportunities can be found through local newspapers, websites, job agencies or by visiting ‘Job Centre Plus’. Job Centres are found in most towns in Wales. If you need help with finding a job you could try visiting your local centre.
You can find out more about different job sectors and support available to find different types of jobs on the 'Job Sector Information' area of this website or on the Careers Wales Job Information page.
Jobs Website
Refugee Employment Network (REN) jobs website has employability opportunities with employers in Wales and England who understand the barriers to work that refugees face
Careers Wales
- Careers Wales has a free service called Working Wales. Working Wales provides a single point of contact for personalised advice and training. This will help service-users to find and maintain good, long-term employment. Support includes:
- an assessment of barriers to employment;
- coaching and signposting;
- job searches;
- writing you CV (resumé);
- interview preparation; and
- finding work placements.
Support Finder gives you more information about finding work or gaining skills
If you want to find out about job vacancies, you can add your email address to the Job Bulletin
Working Wales
You can ring Working Wales on +44 (0)800 028 4844 Monday to Thursday: 8am to 6pm | Friday: 9am to 4:30pm
Find Careers Centres across Wales listed by local authority, including opening times, addresses and a link to google maps.
Find Working Wales on their venues map. They offer face to face careers advice and guidance interviews at a variety of venues across Wales, including Careers centres, Job Centre Plus offices and other venues in the community.
Email: workingwales@careerswales.gov.wales
Applying for a job
Once you have identified a job you want to apply for, applications in the UK are usually made through an application form, or a CV (‘curriculum vitae’ - a formal list of your qualifications and experience) and a covering letter. Guidance on how to create a CV can be found on Careers Wales.
Once you have the job
Employers may also ask to see your documentation. It will help if you can bring your original documents such as your BRP or be prepared to show your digital status to show evidence of your right to work in the UK.
College diplomas and any other proof of your qualifications and experience will be helpful to show to employers.
Employers may also ask for references from people who can verify your suitability for employment (such as a former manager, teacher or colleague).
You may need to prove to an employer that you have the right to work in the United Kingdom. You can find more information about how to prove your right to work at the UK Government website.
Workers rights
Employers must treat their workers equally. This means that migrants should receive the same pay as a Welsh person if they are doing the same job. This also means that men and women should receive the same pay for the same job. If you think you are being treated unfairly, you can find advice through the ‘Equality and Human Rights Commission’.
Employers must pay the ‘National Minimum Wage’ to most of their workers. This is the minimum pay you should receive for your work. The minimum wage you would receive is based on your age and type of job. National Minimum Wage rates are explained on the UK Government website.
Qualification Recognition
You may have qualifications or experience in a particular job from your home country. If you want to do the same job in Wales, you may need to get your existing qualifications recognised by organisations in the United Kingdom. An organisation called ECCTIS (previously known as UK NARIC) can help with this but you may need to pay. More information about how ECCTIS can help can be found at their website.
If you have a job in the United Kingdom, you must pay National Insurance Contributions. To do this you must have a National Insurance Number. If you have the right to work but do not have this number, you can apply for a number at the ‘Job Centre Plus’. Once you receive your number, you must give it to your employer. National Insurance Contributions help to build your access to a state pension and maternity or paternity pay. It also funds services like the National Health Service (NHS).
In most cases you will have the following rights when working for an employer in the United Kingdom:
You must be paid at least the ‘National Minimum Wage’
Your employer must not make illegal deductions from your pay
You must receive payslip which explains your wage and any deductions
You should receive a list of the main terms and conditions of your job
You have the right to a certain amount of paid time off work each year.
You have the right to take paid time off for antenatal care, maternity, paternity and adoption leave
You must be granted daily and weekly rest breaks, and you usually cannot be forced to work more than 48 hours a week
You should not be dismissed or treated unfairly at work if you become a ‘whistleblower’. This is someone who exposes suspected wrongdoing in their workplace.
If you have been working for an employer for at least a month, they must give you notice if you are to be dismissed
If you are dismissed while pregnant or on maternity leave you must receive a written explanation of the reason from your employer
If you are a part-time worker, you should have the same contractual rights as a full-time worker (in a similar role). Though you may not receive the same entitlements)
If you are a fixed-term employee, you should have the same contractual rights as a permanent employee in a similar role
You have the right to submit a request for flexible working (After six months)
If you cannot find a job, you may need to apply for social security support (also known as welfare benefits). Visit the ‘Money’ section of this website for more information.