Business Spotlight: Prentis+

Prentis+ is a recruitment app that connects young people aged 16-25 in Wales with apprenticeship opportunities that match their skills and interests. Founded by Catrin Rees, a secondary school teacher and careers coordinator, the platform was created to address the challenges faced by both students and businesses in the apprenticeship landscape.

In 2025, Prentis+ joined the GlobalWelsh for Business Membership Programme to grow its network, attract investment, and expand its impact across Wales. We spoke with Catrin to learn more about the inspiration behind the app, the response from students and businesses, and what’s next for the platform…

Can you tell us about Prentis+, who it’s for and what inspired you to launch it?

I’ve been a teacher for many years, and for the last few years I’ve worked as a careers coordinator. That role involved inviting businesses into schools and helping young people understand the opportunities available after the age of 16 or 18.

What I kept hearing from businesses was that they were looking for apprentices, but no one was applying. Meanwhile, in schools, I’d see students return to sixth form even after insisting they hated school and had no intention of coming back. These were young people who could really benefit from a work-based environment rather than an academic one.

It struck me that there was a real gap: businesses wanted apprentices, and young people needed to know what was out there. But awareness just wasn’t there. I thought, why not bridge that gap?

Kids spend so much time on their phones, so why not “scroll with purpose” instead of doomscrolling? That’s where the idea came from: a platform a bit like a dating app, but for apprenticeships. Everything in one place, easy to use, and designed to make the whole process less daunting and more engaging.

You’ve compared the platform to Tinder before. Can you tell me more about how it works?

Businesses sign up through the website, then their adverts appear on the app as “cards”. Each card has the job title, company logo, and a description. Young people can swipe right if they’re interested - saving it into a folder - swipe left if they’re not, or just scroll past if they’re undecided. It’s simple, intuitive, and removes some of the disheartening rejection that comes with endless applications.

The important part is the sign-up process. When a young person registers, the information they add essentially creates their CV with contact details, grades, subjects, extracurricular activities, interests, and a personal statement. The more effort they put in here, the stronger their applications will be.

From there, applying is easy. For some roles, they can apply directly through the app, tweaking their personal statement for each job. For others, businesses might redirect them to their own websites. Either way, it saves time and makes the whole process more approachable.

What types of businesses are currently using the platform?

We’re actively encouraging more companies to sign up, because the more opportunities available, the more useful the app becomes. So far, Torfaen Council has advertised a range of roles spanning business administration, communications, HR, and more

We’ve also got organisations like Dyfed-Powys Police offering apprenticeships, and smaller businesses like de Novo Solutions looking for one or two apprentices.

Apprenticeships aren’t just trades anymore. While you’ll always find opportunities in plumbing, hairdressing, or electrical work, there are now apprenticeships in areas like customer service, administration, and even law. Whatever you’re interested in, there’s probably an apprenticeship to match; it’s just about knowing where to look.

How have students responded?

Really positively! I’ve seen familiar names pop up in the applications, which is great. For many young people, the hardest part of job hunting is just knowing where to start - it can feel overwhelming. With an app, it’s simple: download, browse, and apply.

Some of my own students have come up to me saying, “Miss, I downloaded your app!” That means a lot. They’re engaged, and they can see the benefit of it. And honestly, if they didn’t like it, they wouldn’t hesitate to tell me!

What’s been your biggest milestone so far?

Without a doubt, getting the app from an idea in my head to something people can actually hold in their hands. That was a huge moment for me, suddenly something that had only existed on paper was real and tangible.

Seeing people actually use the app, explore the opportunities, and start applying for apprenticeships confirms there was a real need for it. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that something I created is helping young people take their first steps toward a career they’re excited about.

Why did you join GlobalWelsh, and how can the community support you?

For me, it’s simple: if I can help someone by introducing them to the right person or mentioning their name, why wouldn’t I? There’s a real affinity among Welsh people, no matter where you are in the world. That sense of connection and support makes GlobalWelsh a no-brainer. It feels like family.

What’s next for Prentis+?

We launched our first social evening on September 1st at Everest Bar in Cardiff. Apprenticeships are great, but what many apprentices miss compared to university students is the chance to network. Uni gives you built-in opportunities to meet people, but apprentices often only connect within their own company.

These social evenings are about creating organic networks - friendships and connections that might prove invaluable in 10 or 15 years’ time. Businesses are also welcome; it’s a chance to get to know future talent.

Beyond that, we’re aiming to host regular monthly events across Wales, not just in Cardiff. I’ve also joined an accelerator programme to get investor-ready, with the goal of securing investment by Christmas - not only to translate the app into Welsh and make it bilingual, but also to support other key developments. It’s another exciting step forward for us!

CONNECT WITH PRENTIS+ VIA GLOBALWELSH CONNECT >>