In partnership with
The Pathways Partnership Programme is our strategic partnership initiative, bringing together the most impactful elements of our work into one extended programme for young people with barriers to entering employment, currently sponsored by and delivered in partnership with GSK, SEGRO, Heathrow Airport, Notting Hill Genesis, Peabody Housing, Oracle and the Laboratory of Medical Sciences.
The programme connects corporate partners with young people to inspire, inform and engage them in careers in their sector and build diverse and local talent pipelines.
The Pathways Partnership Programme works with young people in Year 12 (aged 16-17) from underrepresented backgrounds, who face barriers to employment. This includes, but is not limited to, those who are from marginalised ethnic communities, eligible for free school meals, have special educational needs and those who are at risk of not progressing into employment, education or training.
Through meaningful engagement with employee volunteers and workplaces, young people gain exposure to diverse career pathways, build their confidence, develop the employability skills and access pathways into sustained employment and rewarding career.
The programme has a multi-stage engagement approach, supporting each young person from initial engagement through to work readiness.
1. In-school employer engagement
Delivered alongside employer volunteers, these workshops increase awareness of the sector and company as a local employer, raise aspirations and develop work readiness.
2. Workplace and employer insight visits
These workplace insight sessions further increase sector awareness, builds motivation and aspiration for careers in the sector, as well as developing vital work ready skills.
3. Career mentoring and work experience
One-to-one mentoring and work place experience enables young people to develop their career confidence, build social capital and establish their next steps.
4. Celebrating everyone's achievements
A joyous event for all young people, mentors and volunteers, creating the chance for everyone to celebrate achievements, reflect with pride and make new contacts.
5. Supported transitions into entry-level roles
When entry-level jobs exist with the partner employer, we open-up pathways into those roles and support the young people through their application process.
My mentor’s guidance on building my personal skills and pursuing a legal career has been invaluable and given me real clarity and direction. I truly appreciate the honest insights he shared and I now feel much better prepared for when I leave school. It has been such a privilege to learn.
Young Mentee 2025
When an employer partners with Youth Careers Collective on a Pathways programme, we co-develop a bespoke approach that not only meets the needs of the young people but also the businesses, by:
- enhancing the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility profile
- fostering innovation through engagement with young talent
- strengthening community relations and brand image
- creating a diverse pipeline of local and motivated employees
- enhancing staff morale through skills-based and meaningful volunteering
If you’re an employer and would like to discuss sponsorship of a bespoke Pathways Programme, to showcase your organisation and sector, while helping local young people to build their careers, please get in touch with our Head of Employer Partnerships, Rochelle Laurencin – rochellelaurencin@youthcareers.org.uk.
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