Improving social mobility within Wales’s marine conservation sector
Who gets to work for the ocean?
A new report from Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum and Pelagos exploring how class, geography, access and opportunity shape pathways into marine conservation careers across South West Wales.
The research examines the barriers young people from working-class backgrounds can face when pursuing marine conservation careers, from limited entry-level opportunities and missing vocational pathways to financial pressures, confidence and unequal access to networks and experiences.
The report also highlights practical opportunities for change across education, policy, employment, funding and community access.
“Britain does not have a talent problem, it has a system that quietly filters talent out.”
Nazir Afzal, Chancellor of University of Manchester
Introduction
Social mobility is the relationship between where people start in life and where they end up as adults.
This report explores how social mobility can be improved within Wales’s marine conservation sector for young people across South West Wales. The work links closely to Welsh Government priorities around a stronger, fairer and greener economy, while also supporting wider conversations around inclusion, skills, environmental recovery and long-term workforce resilience.
The research was carried out collaboratively by Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum and Pelagos between January and March 2026.
It included:
a comprehensive desk review
stakeholder interviews across the marine and conservation sectors
interviews with young people aged 16–26 across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Swansea
a co-creation session exploring accessible pathways into blue careers
Key findings
A shortage of entry-level opportunities
A shortage of entry-level opportunities
The report found significant competition for marine conservation roles, with one employer receiving 293 applications for a single role. Young people described feeling “stuck” despite qualifications, volunteering and experience.
Limited vocational pathways
Limited vocational pathways
The research identified limited or no local vocational pathways into marine conservation across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Swansea, making the sector heavily reliant on the graduate route.
Four key barriers shape pathways
Four key barriers shape pathways
The report identified four areas that may influence whether a young person pursues a marine conservation career:
ocean/nature connectedness
awareness of opportunity
community aspirations
academic confidence
Structural barriers matter
Structural barriers matter
The findings highlight how class, geography, finance, transport, confidence and access to networks can quietly shape who enters the sector and who is filtered out before reaching it.
The pathway into marine conservation
The report highlights how access to marine conservation careers is shaped by a wider system of influences, support networks and structural barriers.
Improving social mobility in marine conservation is not the responsibility of one organisation or sector alone.
It requires joined-up thinking across education, policy, employment, funding, community access and environmental engagement.
Who is this report for?
The report is designed to support conversations across multiple sectors and organisations involved in education, environment, skills, policy and workforce development.
Welsh Government & Policy Makers
How transport, regional inequality, vocational skills investment and social mobility policy shape access to blue careers.
Colleges & Course Providers
How local education pathways, practical learning and employer partnerships can better connect young people to marine conservation opportunities.
Wildlife & Marine Employers
How recruitment practices, mentoring, paid opportunities and entry-level roles influence who enters the sector.
Natural Resources Wales & Public Bodies
How environmental recovery and workforce development can support one another as the marine sector evolves.
Careers Advisors & Schools
How awareness, aspiration and confidence shape career decisions long before higher education.
Funders
How targeted investment in pathways, placements and support systems could widen participation across the sector.
Universities
How graduate pathways can better support students from working-class backgrounds through mentoring, employability support and accessible opportunities.
Outdoor Learning & Nature Connection Organisations
How early experiences with nature and the coast influence long-term aspirations and connection to marine careers.
Young People
A report exploring the barriers, opportunities and pathways shaping marine conservation careers in Wales today.
Why this matters
Marine conservation relies on passionate, skilled and diverse people.
The report argues that talent exists across every community, but access to opportunity does not.
At the same time, Wales’s marine sector is entering a period of significant change, with growing activity around restoration, environmental management and offshore renewable energy. Ensuring these opportunities are accessible to people from a wider range of backgrounds will be important for both social equity and the long-term resilience of the sector itself.
The findings also highlight the importance of local role models, visible career pathways and meaningful access to nature and the coast during childhood and education.
“I’ve worked in this sector for over 20 years and I haven’t been on a boat for work.”
Recommendations
The report concludes with two major areas for action:
Building joined-up vocational pathways
Developing accessible local vocational routes into marine conservation and related blue economy careers.
Transforming graduate pathways
Improving support for young people pursuing the graduate route through:
• mentoring
• networking support
• greater financial flexibility
• clearer entry pathways
• stronger employer support
• more entry-level opportunities
Download the full report
Partners & acknowledgements
This work was delivered collaboratively by Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum and Pelagos.
With thanks to the Welsh Government’s Marine Resilience Fund for supporting this work, alongside all organisations, stakeholders and young people who contributed their experiences and insights to the research.
Continue the conversation!
Improving social mobility within Wales’s marine conservation sector will require collaboration across education, policy, employment, funding, community access and environmental engagement.
We welcome conversations with organisations, educators, employers, policy makers, funders and individuals interested in helping create fairer and more accessible pathways into marine conservation and related blue careers.
Whether you are exploring:
• partnership opportunities
• pathway development
• education initiatives
• workforce challenges
• funding opportunities
• outreach and engagement
• future research
• or practical actions linked to the report’s recommendations
we would welcome hearing from you.